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Home > Essex > Dagenham > Merry Fiddlers

Merry Fiddlers

Picture source: Russ Flint


The Merry Fiddlers was situated on Wood Lane, Becontree Heath. This was a large pub that dated back to 1851. It was demolished in 1992 and a supermarket and petrol station now occupy the site.

Source: Colin Price

 
During the late 1970's I had a cleaning contract with Albert to daily clean the pub,  it had the reputation of being a very tough pub and several notable faces of the area used to drink in it, Saturday evenings were the busiest with a disco in the saloon bar but it also had weekly  cabaret act live on a small stage set about halfway down the saloon bar. I used to visit the pub Saturday evenings as a customer and knew Albert quite well, he was a good landlord and never allowed any nonsense  to get out of hand, there was also two or three doormen on duty weekend  evenings.  I lived in Chadwell Heath at this time, and in due course moved further  afield, but I was saddened when I heard about the pubs demise, it was also  mentioned on television, it was an iconic pub and those of us who used it will never forget it.
Terry Mayo (June 2011)
 
There was a professional boxing stables run by Harry Freeman in the 1960s and 1970s, first in a sort of hut next to the pub. This was burnt down and the boxers then trained in the cellar of the pub.
David Rappaport (December 2011)
 

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Contacts
Make email contact with other ex-customers and landlords of this pub by adding your details to this page.
Name Dates Comments
Albert West 1976 Caretaker manager for Ind Coope for about one year.
Timothy Dennehy 1966/1967  I was a customer at the Fiddlers,it was a great bar,and a great place to meet.I often think about it,great memories .It was the life and soul of the area.
Vic Howard 1966/1969 Worked behind bar & enjoyed.
Allen Lawson 1986/1990 I was the publican on two occasions, tough pub to manage but enjoyed my time there
Jim Kerins 1989/1990 I was a barman here at this time with my then girlfriend Sarah. It was rough but interesting place to work. The manager was Tina, backed by husband Albert, a well know face and gangster of the 1960's. Happy days.

 
Other Photos
 Site of The Merry Fiddlers, 2013

Picture source: Colin Price