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Date of photo: 2012	Picture source: Colin Price
The Manby Arms was situated at 19 Water Lane. This pub closed in late 2013.
We used to drink and have lunch in this pub regularly between 1987 and 1990 whisky students at Poly of East London (now UEL).The landlady was called Della, but I can’t remember her husbands name. They had a dog, that once decided to relieve itself against my leg. Very fond memories of this pub where afternoon lectures were often missed as a result of more than a pint at lunchtime.
Ferris West (August 2022)
Bass the donkey lived in the yard at the back of the Manby Arms c1962 - occasionally he would be let into the bar to perform his party trick (see photo below).
Movement80 (June 2023)
I lived in a 'co-op' house - a sort of legitimate squat - around the corner, behind the fire station, and would often drink in The Manby. It was a decent local boozer, but in the early 80's there was a bit of a protection turf war - As a sort of anarcho-punk nobody, I was mostly unaware of this - but there were issues with protection money and the local chippy was threatened and because of that, apparently, someone was knifed in The Manby. It was supposed to be a 'frightener', a stab in the buttocks, but the attacker cut an artery and the poor bloke died. Still - they cleaned up the blood, and, so long as you didn't stare at anyone, it was a good pub!
Andy Butler (March 2024)
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Name Dates Comments Laurence Weeks 2008-2013 I used to drink in this pub 2 or 3 times a week. It was a great locals pub with a lot of loyal regulars and Len the amazingly hard working landlord. Where do all these drinkers go now? Seven years after the last night there is still a sign in the window "closed for refurbishment"...if only. Much missed, there are no other pubs lie it in the area.
Other Photos
Date of photo: 1934	Picture source: National Brewery Heritage Trust
Date of photo: c1962	Picture source: Ripper (@The_East_End)
	Picture source: Andrew Taylor