Dagenham Roundhouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dagenham Roundhouse |
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The Roundhouse, September 2008
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| Alternative names | The Village Blues Club |
| General information | |
| Type | Public house |
| Location | Dagenham, London, England |
| Address | Lodge Avenue, Dagenham, RM8 2HY |
| Coordinates | 51°32′30″N 0°06′48″E / 51.541584°N 0.113259°E |
| Inaugurated | 1969 |
| Landlord | Kim Sullivan |
| Dimensions | |
| Diameter | 50 ft |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Alfred W. Blomfield |
The Dagenham Roundhouse is a famous pub and music venue in Dagenham, London, England. It opened in 1969 as the "Village Blues Club". From then until 1975, it was known as the best rock music spot in east London.
In 2007, filmmakers Ken Gascoigne and "H" Curran made a film about the club. They talked to many artists who played there. These included Mick Box from Uriah Heep and Brian May from Queen. They also spoke with the club's promoter and local people. Everyone shared their memories of the Roundhouse.
Behind the pub, where the old car park used to be, there is a road called Bragg Close. This road is named after the singer and poet Billy Bragg. His family has lived in the area for over 100 years. Billy Bragg officially opened the street on August 24, 1999. He dedicated it to his brother. He also honored Ben Tillett, who helped start a union for dockworkers. Bragg Close has 12 homes built by a housing association.
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Where to Find the Roundhouse
The Roundhouse is located where two roads, Porters Avenue and Lodge Avenue, meet. It is next to a boating lake and Mayesbrook Park. This park is home to the Barking & East Ham United F.C. football team.
The main round part of the building is about 50 feet (15 meters) wide. There is also a long, rectangular room. This room has a low ceiling and was used for concerts and bingo games. It stretches along Lodge Avenue.
The pub is roughly halfway between Upney and Becontree stations. These are on the District line of the London Underground. The Roundhouse is also a stop for the London Buses route 368.
Famous Bands and Artists
Many famous bands and artists have played at the Dagenham Roundhouse. Some of these include Led Zeppelin, Genesis, Thin Lizzy, Rory Gallagher, and Pink Floyd.
Reunions and Memories
In 2008, a group was started on Facebook for people who remembered the Village Blues Club. This group now has over 100 members. They held a special reunion party in May 2012 at the Roundhouse itself. The band Stray played at this reunion. Stray had played at the Roundhouse 13 times, more than any other band, back in its early days.
More reunions followed in the years after. These events brought back many old fans and musicians. They helped keep the spirit of the Roundhouse's music history alive.
The Pub's History
The Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA) has listed The Roundhouse as a heritage pub. This is because of its special old-fashioned inside design.
The pub was built in 1936. It has a very unique shape, designed by a special pub architect named Alfred W. Blomfield. As its name suggests, the main part of the building is round. On top of this, there is a T-shaped upper floor with a large square tower in the middle.
The Roundhouse is a great example of the big pubs built between the two World Wars. These pubs were made to serve large housing areas. They offered many things, not just drinks. This pub even had a tea room and a place for indoor bowling. It also had a huge oval lounge at the back, which is still there today.
In 2008 and 2014, Kim Sullivan was the person in charge of the pub.
Images for kids
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The Roundhouse, September 2008
