Alcohol memorial was demolished

The Viator 1552 - 1552 • Published 16 Jun 2009 14:00

FORTY years ago a memorial to a Greenock man who devoted his life to warning against the perils of alcohol abuse was demolished.

It was the Greenock Temperance Institute in West Stewart which was erected to further the work of John Dunlop and his supporters.

Born in 1789, Dunlop"s early life was connected with the religious instruction of the young and scientific instruction for artisans

He concluded alcohol abuse was hindering the moral and social progress of thew working classes.

One of his first moves was to form the Greenock Total Abstinence Society. Dunlop was involved in the setting up of similar organisations in other parts of Scotland and his campaigning took him throughout the UK.

Forty three Greenock pubs shut down in the first year of the local association"s operation but that still left 334 others in the town - one of every 100 inhabitants.

In 1854, the Government, spurred on by Dunlop and his temperance workers, and with the support of Forbes Mackenzie MP, introduced the Public House Act.

The Act had some effect, as was summed up in this report: 'Since the new Act came to force, a remarkable calm has pervaded our streets at night. Baccanallian individuals, being required tto break up their orgies at 11pm, no longer disturb the sober citizens by singing in the streets at 2am.

'On Tuesday morning, about 6am, a crowd of thirsty males and females assembled in the neighbourhood of the public houses in the Vennel and Dock Breast to refresh themselves with their "morning." Alas, no "morning" dawned for them, the Justices having, under the powers of the new Act, prohibited the sale of drink before 8am.'

In 1857 there were still 300 pubs in the town, and some streets had two pubs for every shop.

Furthermore a report stated: 'Notwithstanding religious, statutory and other influences, Greenock is as drunken now as it was 20 years ago.'

In January, 1869, Greenock Temperance Institute opened - 11 days after the death in London of John Dunlop who was nearly 80.

Exhibitions were staged in the institute and vast meetings on the evil effects of intemperance were held to shock and shame people into signing the pledge not to consume alcohol.

By 1880 the number of pubs had gone down to one for every 300 residents. In 1885 it was reported that drunkeness had decreased by nearly 23 per cent over a 10 year period.

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 16 Jun 09

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