Home > Middlesex > Enfield > The Bulldog The Bulldog
Date of photo: 1959	Picture source: Michael Wraighte
The Bulldog was built in the late 1940s/ early 50s along with the large Elsinge Estate that sprawls out South from the rear of the site. Built on the entrance to a former P.O.W. camp the building and general layout (Now a McDonalds) still stands on the south side of Bullsmoor Lane near to the junction of the A10 (Gt Cambridge Road). In the late 1950s and throughout most of the 1960s this large Charringtons concern was managed by the Rapkin family. Throughout this period (its heyday) the pub attracted a large mixture of clientel from both the estate and a steady stream of motorists off of the busy A10 lured by the bright red neon display that used to stretch across its front. During the early 60s the large parking lot became a popular rendezvous for motorcyclists (Rockers) who became the scourge of any unfortunate Mod(s) who happened to be putting along the A10. The pub itself was set out with the public bar to the right (Facing) with the Saloon Bar access over to the far left. Sandwiched in between was an off sales entrance with a Bow window displaying various beverages. Across the rear of the oub was a dance hall with a small stage that in the early days on Friday and Saturday nights featured such bands as Unit Four Plus Two (Concrete and Clay) / The Kinks/ and a collection of Local amateur acts. All through this period the pub did a roaring trade with the car park full to capacity on most nights. At the rear a once well tended lawned garden with benches that catered for customers with children slowly succumbed to acts of vandalism. Unfortunately this venue slowly began to grow a steady reputation for fights among the various territorial 'Sets' who set up shop in this very viable establishment. As a result custom rapidly declined and a series of indifferent Landlords throughout the 1980s and 90s failed to prevent the social and structural decay of this once prime Landmark venue. A feeble attempt to attract customers back by briefly re-naming the pub 'The Gardeners Arms' was really the Death Knell with Charringtons happily selling up to McDonalds at the start of the new millenium.
Source: Michael Wraighte
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Name	Dates	Comments
Chris Cottrell	1966-c1970	I was a barman at this time and coincided with a new group playing on a Friday night led by John Rogan and Called the Organizers . The keyboard was played by Roy Ballard . Many happy memories of this time .