With a time of 14.8 seconds, Watford builder’s labourer Paddy Farrell easily beat his nearest rival in the finals of the Festival Yard of Ale competition at the Green Man on Friday night.

Nine years ago, to the exact week, Paddy did even better when he knocked back two 2½-pint “yards” each in under 12 seconds.

Immediately afterwards he was banging on the bar for another pint, a friend said on Friday.

His time at the Green Man was down a little but was still three seconds better than that of runner up Dave Gawron, of Croxley Green.

For his win, Paddy received a cheque for £15 from Ind Coope, who also supplied the beer. Dave won a tenner.

Presenting the cheques, Mrs Gladys Johnston, landlady at the Green Man, said: “Don’t spend it all on beer”.

[From the Watford Observer of May 27, 1970]

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