Did you know that...
The first mention of Dagenham comes from 666 AD. The area was known as Daeccanhaam. The name most likely derives from the proper name Deacca and “hamm” which is the Anglo-Saxon word for farm. It translates to Deacca’s farm or Deacca’s home. Deacca was probably a notable resident. Dagenham is one of the smallest boroughs by area, extending just over 36 kilometers. This RM8 area is part of the historic county of Essex. The settlement formed around agricultural land. Woods and commons were on the northern side. A large part of the lost Hainault Forest was in this area. Dagenham remained mostly rural until 1921 when the Becontree estate was built.
Dagenham Breach is a lake that resulted from the restoration works of the anti-flooding defenses. These 17th-century constructions were damaged in 1704 by a very high tide that flooded almost 5,000 acres of land. The closure of the gap left behind a lake that became a favorite place for anglers. Whitebait Dinners were a yearly event that celebrated the engineering effort of closing the gap. Eventually, the event moved to Greenwich as it was more convenient for the cabinet. Ford Dagenham opened in 1931. More than 10 million cars and 29 million engines were produced here. Vehicles are no longer assembled here since 2002 but the factory remains a major production facility. In 2008, this factory held the record for the most Ford diesel engines produced on a global scale. At its peak, the factory had 40,000 workers in 1953. The Dagenham wind turbines are on the factory’s site since 2004.
Alf Ramsey, the professional footballer turned World Cup-winning manager, was born in this part of East London. Martin Gore, a member of the Depeche Mode band, is another famous person who was born here. Ian Dean who is associated with the Cage Warriors was also born here. Actor Dudley Moore lived in Dagenham as a child.
