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Press Release

08/11/2018

Comedian releases new book ‘The Pub Manifesto’ with CAMRA Books

Comedian James Dowdeswell has joined forces with the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) to write The Pub Manifesto, the newest publication from CAMRA Books.

The Pub Manifesto: A Comedian Stands Up For Pubs uses humour to assess what makes the perfect pub, whilst spreading awareness of the problems that they face in the modern day, as 18 pubs currently close per week in the UK.

To source the roots of the problem and to help crystallise what makes the perfect pub, James dissects, discusses and waxes lyrical on every aspect of pub culture. Dowdeswell’s conversational prose style means reading this book is like sitting down with the author and discussing your ultimate pub over a beer.

He champions many quirks and causes, including: interior design, pub toilets, beer, both real and crafty, wine in pubs, soft drinks and the designated driver, pub games and entertainment, pub dogs and other animals – and more. It concludes with his own take on George Orwell’s ‘Moon Under Water’ essay and a call to arms.

Author James Dowdeswell, who was brought up in a West Country pub owned by his parents, said: “I love pubs, and I am very grateful to have teamed up with CAMRA to write a book on my favourite subject. With the numbers of pubs still in decline, it is more important than ever to remember why we love them and why we should help save them. I hope this book encourages its readers to head back to their local.

“18 pubs close down per week. That is a shocking statistic. Three years ago, when I started writing this book, it was 29 – so if I keep writing, maybe it will keep coming down!”

Dowdeswell is a regular at comedy clubs across the UK and has been a professional stand-up since winning the Jongleurs Best New Act Award in 2000. His TV appearances include Ricky Gervais’ Extras and Russell Howard’s Good News. Comedians Russell Howard and Jon Richardson are counted as Dowdeswell fans, and have both given The Pub Manifesto their seal of approval.

The Pub Manifesto was inspired by Dowdeswell’s stand-up show, James Dowdeswell’s Perfect Pub, which he toured in Australia, at The Edinburgh Fringe and festivals all over the UK.

The book is available now and retails for £12.99 (£10 for CAMRA members). It can be purchased on the CAMRA website: https://shop.camra.org.uk/pubmanifesto.html

Media kit:

Click here to access a range of assets from about The Pub Manifesto including:

  • Bespoke graphics with quotations from the book, and quotes from Russell Howard and Jon Richardson

  • Audio recording of Dowdeswell reading from the book, accompanied with a graphic

  • Images of the book, both its flat cover and other dynamic images

  • Photos from a book launch event at his father’s pub, the Anchor Inn, Oldbury-on-Severn, Bristol

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