Dennis Gould's poster exhibition

We all took a long time to rise this morning after a long night of drinking and chat. Having worked out the train times for Heidi to return to Reading, Helena suggested a visit to the Prince Albert pub on Rodborough Hill, to see the exhibition of Dennis Gould's letterpress posters which span more than thirty years of his prolific output.

We missed his 75th birthday bash in this pub last week, so I was pleased to have a chance to see his posters in a public space. When we arrived, the pub was quite empty which is most unusual, space normally being at a premium. Even better was the presence of the man himself, sitting with a pint of Guinness and a large pie with gravy. We joined him at a large table and proceeded to chatter, again, and Dennis regaled us with stories of when he first started working for Peace News in 1962 with anecdotes galore about poets and places, friends and admirers, loves lost and new ventures.

Considering I blipped from our local yesterday, it seems strange to be in the other excellent Stroud hostelry within just a few hours. Helena and I both wandered about taking pictures of the posters and the typical scenes of a pub at Sunday lunchtime. We had pies as well, after a rather long wait, and I certainly enjoyed the ambience of a family friendly pub, which encourages the presence of the arts, with poetry readings and regular music sessions.

I liked this picture of just one small corner of the pub, which has the feeling of being the 'front room', with a log fire, settees and a washing line from which are hanging more of Dennis' posters, particularly fine and original ones I might say. I wish I could do justice to the humour and designs of the posters, but you can always visit it for yourself, as they will be hanging there until December. They are spread on nearly every available wall space throughout the pub.

Dennis will auction all the posters at the end of the exhibition, giving half the money to Peace News, with the rest going to a local charity.