Masonic Lodge in Perthshire couple's garden granted licence by councillors to sell alcohol

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Perth and Kinross Licensing Board has unanimously approved a licence for a Masonic Lodge situated in a couple's garden.On Wednesday, January 17 councillors agreed to grant a premises licence for Lodge St John 174 in Dunning to sell alcohol.But objectors Clare Monaghan and Glen Gardner feared the licence might result in drunken strangers being in the garden of their family home.Rather unusually Clare Monaghan and Glen Gardner have a Masonic Lodge - a former church building - in their garden.

The former church sits next to their home - a former manse - and within their garden grounds. They bought their home 27 years ago.At Wednesday's meeting Ms Monaghan explained to the board: "The Lodge is located wholly and entirely in our garden.

We have concerns about the safety and security of my property and my family if a full licence is granted."During clement weather I use my garden as an extension of my living space and I would be fairly and severely impacted if this licence went through."She explained that when they bought the house there was a "condition of access for Lodge meetings once a month over six winter months".Asked if there had been any issues, Ms Monaghan mentioned damage to flowerbeds and bushes and added: "I personally have been subjected to abuse from tenants of the Lodge.

To be fair, I think Mr Crowe [the applicant] took that on board and the Lodge is no longer let out."On another occasion tickets were sold to members of the public for an event but this was reported and stopped.Referring to the applicant Robert Crowe, she said: "Mr Crowe has been very good about coming to speak to us when he was leader and responsible but that was not always the case and he may not always be in charge."Dr Gardner added: "I do