Bright Young Things discussion

OK, so nothing to do with books but the next best thing. Pubs. From the interwar years.

Historic England announces list of 21 establishments from interwar era to be protected by government as examples of the ‘improved pub’ movement - some truly lovely looking, idiosyncratic pubs here....

http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesi...

More pubs need protecting. Pubs are not dying because nobody goes to them, the property developers sadly are seeing fast buck. Are local was saved through Facebook campaign, however, we've been priced out. Publican, spent loads of money turning it into a gastro pub.

I didn't realise that the Carlton was featured in Goodnight Sweetheart, the 1940s time travelling UK sitcom.

I suppose the move towards gastro-pubs is part of the same trend towards making them respectable as the ‘improved pub’ movement, but it does mean a lot of small friendly locals are changing or closing.

Yes! Good point! Yes, very sad. It is I suspect a way of keeping some of the rougher people out. Quite a lot of alcoholics commune outside a local Wetherspoons. Used to live in those pubs, 20 years ago. : ) Wetherspoons, the pub building were quite interesting at one point. They would move into disused cinemas for example. Nowadays they can be quite stuffy. The pubs mentioned by the way (ta Nigeyb) do look fantastic.

I love pubs but the cost of buying beer in them makes a visit an occasional thing rather than a regular excursion. When you can get beverages for a fraction of the pub price in supermarkets it's no wonder so many have been forced to close.

A conspiracy theorist might speculate that making it less attractive for people to gather in pubs and bars was a good thing and was part of some covert agenda. Not me of course.

: )) I suppose those who make laws around beers pricing could be accused of hammering beer drinkers as oppose to wine drinkers, perhaps because they have preference to wine, but I don't subscribe to conspiracy theories.

British politicians booze in the House of Commons is subsidised, unlike the rest of us.

Yes, cheap booze in supermarkets has caused a problem and I suspect increased drinking at home, which is hidden problem in a way.

Try this book for a look at the good old days.

The Local: A History Of The English Pub by Paul Jennings

There's also The Local by Maurice Gorham and illustrated by the wonderful Edward Ardizzone - unfortunately copies here in the US are quite pricey.

I did pick up an e-copy of the Faber re-issue, Back to the Local but have only skimmed so far. Some interesting history in that most of the original book stocks went up in the Blitz.

"The title needs explaining. Why back? We haven't been there yet! In 1939 the same team of Maurice Gorham (text) and Edward Ardizzone (illustrations) published The Local. Like so many books of that time it had a short life, all the remaining stock being destroyed in the Blitz. After the war, they decided to do a new edition with a revised text and redrawn, in some cases completely new, illustrations. It is this book, Back to the Local, first published in 1949, that Faber Finds is reissuing. Prepare yourself for the most delightful of nostalgic rambles around the pubs of London in the late 1940s. Text and illustrations are in perfect harmony as we are introduced to The Regulars, Barmaids Old and New, as we venture into The Saloon Lounge, The Saloon Bar, The Public Bar and squeeze into The Jug-And-Bottle Bar. We visit The Mews Pub, The Wine-House, the Riverside Pub and The Irish House. These are all chapter headings and eloquently testify to what awaits you. Treat yourself to a memorable pub crawl!"

Miss M wrote: "There's also The Local by Maurice Gorham ..."

Back to the Local sounds very interesting and right up my street - thanks as ever Miss M

Yes that does look interesting.

George Orwell's 1946 short essay on the English pub, The Moon Under Water is worth revisiting.

Greg wrote: "George Orwell's 1946 short essay on the English pub, The Moon Under Water is worth revisiting."

You just knew there would be an Orwell essay on this subject somewhere didn't you!

Ruth wrote: "Greg wrote: "George Orwell's 1946 short essay on the English pub, The Moon Under Water is worth revisiting."

You just knew there would be an Orwell essay on this subject somewhere didn't you!"

Ruth, that is correct. Orwell also has an essay on how to make the perfect cup of tea. He has all bases covered for a full life.

^Completely agree with the very good points made above. More pubs need protecting, particularly the independent ones. I think part of the reason for the decline is changing working patterns. For example, the days where work finished at 5pm and everyone went to the pub for a drink before going home are gone now because everyone finishes work at different times, works shifts etc. If you have to commute to work, you are probably more focused on getting your train/bus when work finishes, so going to the pub after work becomes more of an occasional treat.