Back to the Local, a book on London pubs of the 1940s, is being reprinted this summer, in a new edition featuring the original accompanying illustrations.
The book was written by Maurice Gorman, an Irish journalist and broadcasting executive who died in 1975. In various capacities, he worked for the BBC from 1926 to 1947, when he resigned, returning to Ireland. There he resumed his broadcasting career in 1953 as the director of Raidió Éireann, a position he held until 1959.
Back to the Local is a fascinating nostalgic ramble around the post-war pubs of London. We are introduced to the regulars and barmaids old and new. We venture into the familiar surroundings of the saloon lounge, saloon bar, and public bar, and squeeze into possibly the lesser-known jug and bottle bar, where customers queue to buy ale to drink elsewhere. And we learn about ‘lost’ drinks, such as The Mother-in-Law or The Snort.
Edward Ardizzone (1900-1979) was one of the outstanding book illustrators of the 20th century. His range was wide, from his first book, Sheridan Le Fanu’s In a Glass Darkly, to classics such as Pilgrim’s Progress, children’s books, not least his own Little Tim titles, which he also wrote, contemporary titles like Walter de la Mare’s Peacock Pie, and H E Bates’s My Uncle Silas.
He collaborated with Maurice Gorman on three books — The Local (reissued after the second world war as Back to the Local), Londoners, and Showmen and Suckers.
Back to the Local will be published by Faber on 6th June at £10 in paperback.
