Sup up

It's Dylan Thomas Day, at least on Radio 3, and one hopes the network takes the opportunity for a pint or two.

Try the Stag's Head, in New Cavendish St, W1  "where Louis MacNeice had his regular chair in the corner, and where frequent visitors included the writers Laurie Lee, Henry Reed, the argumentative and quarrelsome Roy Campbell, and, either roaring or sitting morosely alone, Dylan Thomas" (from "Walking Wounded: The Life and Poetry of Vernon Scannell" by James Andrew Taylor).

Or The Yorkshire Grey, in Langham St W1, where Dylan would discuss the mechanics of his writing style, and possible commissions, with Desmond Hawkins -  author, critic and eventual "founder" of the BBC Natural History Unit.

Or, of course, The George, where he would carouse with (amongst others) R.D. "Reggie" Smith, drama producer, husband to Olivia Manning, and model for the fictional Guy Pringle. At that stage, according to man of letters Walter Allen, Thomas "got most of his living from radio-acting, and very impressive he was, even in the hammiest parts, just as he could make the most tawdry verse sound wonderful".