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Camden News - by CHARLOTTE CHAMBERS
Published: 27 November 2008

Proud’s Rachel Thomas and Emily Merrick

Bar man’s holiday: Licensees live it up in style

THE annual publicans’ ball was a more emotional event than usual this year when one of the borough’s best-loved licensees was given a lifetime achievement award and a standing ovation by his peers.
Alo Conlon’s decades behind the pumps at the Dublin Castle in
Parkway were celebrated at the Cilla ball last Wednesday, where he was remembered as the man who first put the ska band Madness on stage – famously after they told him they were a jazz ensemble.
Henry and Alo Conlon, Mr Conlon’s sons, accepted the award on his behalf and told pub workers at the ball, held at the London Irish Centre in Camden Square, to raise a glass to “all the publicans, the customers, the police and the competitors” in honour of their father.
They revealed that ever since he had his first pint in the Murray Arms in 1957 – just 100 yards from the Irish Centre – “he’s loved this town”.
Cilla is a group of publicans known as the Camden Inner Licensees Association that meet every month to discuss issues facing pubs, bars and clubs in Camden and host an annual ball to raise money for charity, including a project that funds trips home for men from Arlington House.
Cilla chairman Mick Doheny of the World’s End said: “Through the Cilla ball we endeavour to put something back into the community by giving the proceeds to charity.”
Last year publicans raised £5,000 for charity.

Publicans’ £1,000 gift to Hamper fund

TOM Maloney of the Oxford Arms in Camden High Street handed over £1,000 to the New Journal at this year’s Cilla Ball for the Hamper Appeal, this newspaper’s yearly Christmas giveaway – and pledged to raise more at their annual pub quiz on December 15.
Mr Maloney said: “It’s that time of year when people are less well off.
“People in pubs are generous with their time and money.”
From businesses to market traders, pubs to passers-by, Camden people are doing their bit and you can too. Any donation, large or small, will make a great difference.

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