I LIKE to think of myself as a cheerful chappy. There are lots of things I love or care about in my life – my family, friends, Devizes, Wiltshire, England, cricket, pubs, music, arty stuff, more cricket, films, good-natured arguments, food and Queens Park Rangers, to name but a few. Some of these things I’m happy to discuss in public – others are personal.

As a My Word contributor, I write about things that float my boat and get my goat. I try to stick to the positives but, when all’s said and done, I’m a bloke well into my fifties so a grumble can never be that far away.

Like when people put their feet on bus seats or when drivers are perfectly happy to let another driver into the traffic but won’t let a pedestrian cross the road or retired folk dawdling around the market before eight in the morning. No. Enough of that. Back to the positives.

And one of the things we should be happy about is our pubs. We really are lucky to a have so many excellent pubs in this area. From old-fashioned coaching inns to village locals; big, modern places to little back-street boozers.

On any given night in Devizes alone, you have a choice of probably 30 different Real Ales - some from Devizes, Rowde, Melksham, Pewsey (three breweries!), Netheravon, Holt or Ramsbury, others from much further afield.

If that doesn't do it for you, then there are imported beers, craft beers, a wide selection of wines and soft drinks that aren't just for kiddies. It was unthinkable only a decade or so ago but now many pubs also serve top-notch teas and coffees. If you want food, then you can get anything from basic grub to fine dining with lots in between.

Our pubs are social centres too. There are leagues for skittles, pool, darts, rifle shooting, quiz and crib. If you want to start a tiddly-winks league, you'll most likely find support. You can listen to all sorts of live music or enjoy some excellent stand-up. If you want to sing or dance, you can do that too. We’ve never had it so good. Or have we?

Not many weeks go by without the Gazette carrying a story about a pub closing or being on the brink.

In Devizes and the surrounding villages alone recent years have seen the end of The Elm Tree, Rising Sun, Bell, Artichoke, Nag’s Head, Owl, Stage Post, Queen’s Head, Clock, a third of our George and Dragons, Wiltshire Yeoman, and Royal Oak; I’ve probably missed some.

The story’s normally pretty similar – increasing costs and falling trade. Many times that it happens, we get pictures of sad-faced locals sporting ‘save the such and such’ T-shirts. Maybe they wouldn’t need those garments if they supported the pub a bit more.

I appreciate that times are tough but instead of the glass of cheeky Merlot or can of something fizzy at home, every so often consider spending that money in your local.

Pubs are one of the things that define our culture. We need them and they need us. 'Use it or lose it' has never been truer than it is today.

For me, beer is a social drink. Sure, we have a problem with anti-social drinkers but that’s a different debate.

Drinking beer is something that is done best in company. And the best place to find that company is in a pub, something we have been doing for ages. It’s sad to report, though, that 700 pubs are closing each year.

We need to support our locals before it’s too late. As Hilaire Belloc said: “When you have lost your inns, drown your empty selves, for you will have lost the last of England.”

There’s nothing wrong with a glass or two of wine. But you can’t beat the Real thing. And it’s best enjoyed in a real pub. Cheers!