Thursday 7th October 2021
Rhoose author brings parables and pints to pub book
Rhoose author Graham Loveluck-Edwards has released his new book, Historic Pubs of Wales.
It follows up the regional best seller Legends and Folklore of Bridgend and the Vale which came out last year.
Graham said “I was overwhelmed by the demand for my first book. Over 2,000 copies sold in the first three months of release alone and I was inundated with messages asking when the next one would be out.”
Graham is best know for writing historical non-fiction but with a tongue in cheek view of some of the more ridiculous aspects of it. As such he has earned himself the nickname of ‘the Bill Bryson of history books’. He relishes in some of the more colourful myths, legends and stories from Wales’ ancient past and this latest book, Wales’ oldest pubs, is crammed with fascinating, historically based stories and facts.
“I have always loved old pubs, and we are blessed to have so many belters here in Wales,” he said. “There are many amazing stories associated with them. For example, the pub which claims to have an elephant buried under its beer garden, or the pub where funeral parties take a short cut to the cemetery through the bar to keep an ancient right of access alive, or the pub that claims to have invented pancake day and so many more. I’ve compiled over 100 incredible stories based around 89 amazing old pubs. Is there any truth in them? Some for sure, but this book captures them and puts them in the context of history so you can be the judge. And what about the age old question of which is the oldest pub in Wales? We have eight different establishments all claiming it’s them, so which one is right?
The book also contains a travel guide so readers can go on a tour around Wales and visit all the pubs in the book. They will then be able to check out all the secret passageways, smugglers’ hides, priest holes and ghost for themselves.
Graham said “As you can imagine for such a book, the research was relentless and thorough and a lot of fun. Pubs have had such a hard time of it in the last year with us going in and out of lockdowns and with the introduction of social distancing measures. Sixteenth century inns are usually a warren of tiny rooms so being two meters apart has made opening and trading near impossible for many. A book which celebrates all that is great about our old pubs, which tells people their history, where to find them and what to expect when you get there (with full colour pictures) has been welcomed by all the landlords.”
Historic Pubs of Wales is published by Candy Jar Books and costs £12.00 + P&P from www.talesfromhistoricpubsofwales.co.uk.
It is also available from Amazon for £15 + P&P and independent book shops.
