Put 21st century to one side if you want a pint at Humphrey's pubs

WAS saddened by the closure of the pub that stepped unwittingly into the 21st century - but not surprised.

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A handwritten notice pinned to the door was the only public explanation given. “Due to someone posting pictures of the Abbey on social media,” it read, “Sam Smith has taken the alcohol and closed these premises.”

I feel for those who find themselves without their favourite watering hole in the quaint village of Darley Abbey.

But I doubt that any beer hunter worth their salt was unaware of the views of the eccentric owner of Samuel Smith's Brewery, which makes the Great British Pub Crawl’s decision to carry the offending photos on its Facebook page all the more baffling.

Humphrey Smith has long forbidden jukeboxes, slot machines, televisions, swearing and music in his pub, insisting they’re “for social conversation person to person”.