Binge drinking is not the modern malaise it appears to be, according to historical research by Rotherham MBC. The council's archives and local studies service has uncovered a letter from local industrialist, John Guest, condemning alcohol consumption. The missive, dated 12 October 1844, discusses attempts by the area's Temperance Society to reduce the amount of drinking in the borough. Mr Guest describes how a lecture room for 400 people could be cheaply built and pamphlets printed to reach ‘1,000 teetotallers'. Archivist Adam Shaw said: ‘The letter is an important historical source in understanding the early formation of the organisation and the popularity of the movement.'
