Tales From The Two Puddings: Stratfords Most Notorious Pub Reveals All

In conjunction with the release of the book, Tales from the Two Puddings by author Eddie Johnson, Fifty First State Press and Bishopsgate Institute presented a photography and audio exhibition earlier this year.

British Pubs are a breeding ground for stories. Whether they are the locations in which tales are created, or the stages in which they are told, storytelling and alcohol have always been two peas in a pod. The Two Puddings in Stratford however, was one such pub that stood above the rest. Nicknamed ‘The Butcher Shop’ due to the amount of blood split on its cream-tiled walls, The Two Puddings has been an East London Legend ever since landlord Eddie Johnson took over the venue in 1962. Throughout the years the pub has attracted people from all walks of life – from writers to World Cup footballers and from infamous gangsters to TV celebrities – and has been the set for many epic yarns. Not wanting these entertaining, hilarious and sometimes unbelievable stories to be lost in the morning-after hangover, Eddie Johnson has now published Tales of the Two Puddings.
To celebrate the release of the book, Fifty First State Press and Bishopsgate Institute featured a photography exhibition of Johnson’s archives and also hosted an interview with the author and broadcaster Robert Elms to look back upon the lost world of the East End. The exhibition displayed more than 50 photographs from Eddie Johnson’s archive, many included in the book, and were accompanied by audio recollections at Bishopsgate Library.

About The Book

Bios

Eddie Johnson was born in Limehouse, East London and grew up in Bow. He took over the Two Puddings pub in 1962 and by the time the ‘Puddings’ closed its doors for the last time, nearly four decades later, he was the longest serving licensee in London.

Robert Elms is an award-wining writer and broadcaster. His popular daily radio show on BBC London celebrates every aspect of London.

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