Home > Essex > Barking > Barge Aground Barge Aground
Date of photo: 1973	Picture source: Colin Price
The original Barge Aground was on the western side of Barking Broadway and dates back to 1662 or earlier. It was demolished in 1973 and a replacement built on the opposite side of the road.
My Grandfather was a business man in Barking (Bill Cross). He was injured quite severely in WW1 but survived only to die of cancer in 1947 to the best of my knowledge. Whilst he was undoubtedly loved by his rather straight-laced wife and three daughters he ‘de-railed’ a few times blamed always on the allegedly excessive time he spent in the Barge Aground.
Robin Rickett (December 2016)
The adjoining building served as the clubhouse for Barking Rugby Club. On Wednesday nights after training we would go in the Barge and Tom the guv’nor had mild on draft at 10p a pint. Courage Bitter was 13p a pint. He had a grill on the counter that he would make beans on toast with cheese on top and he would sprinkle paprika on it. It was a very old and original pub with quiet serious older generation dedicated drinkers. Everyone in there either wore a cap or trilby. It was back in time. I missed it greatly when it went. Our clubhouse was knocked down in 1973 along with the Barge when the whole of “The Broadway” was rebuilt. Great shame as the Broadway had a superb historic market where they had all sorts of stalls including one that sold live eels. It had a great butcher that had game hanging up on hooks. A great pet shop and every food stall and clothes /shoes stalls that you could imagine. Also the adjoining shops were also in beautiful historic buildings ...... such a shame they were knocked down.
Dave Whitney (January 2020)
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Other Photos
Date of photo: 1970	Picture source: Dave Whitney