Hiya Padge ,
I'm not getting upset about pubs charging for water in the sense that if they provide (say) a pint they charge a nominal amount for collecting, ,and cleaning the glass say 25p , but a Quid is out of order,especially when you think of drivers , non drinkers, and drinkers who simply need a break / need to re-hydrate.
I had a conversation tonight in my local about this subject, and apparently the Fishermans club enjoys Pints from £1.30-ish a pint, and, to cut and paste your comment "Conservative Club, Rifle Club and I think Cask in The Yacht Club at about £1.92 pp " seems sensibly cheap.
We don't want to necessarily have rock-bottom prices but ,the point is starting to emerge that Whitby is charging top bobs at the places where " Folk " meet to play sing and dance.
Maybe the time has come to say (and let people know through Mudcat and the like) to such places WE are doing YOU a favour,so back-off with your prices hike or we will establish different pubs in which to congregate, and, that we survived without the i.e. Plough and we'll survive without YOU.