Memories of a great 1980s Sunderland pub - and its pool table

A fantastic 31,000 of you showed an interest in this old Sunderland pub, which was pictured in 1988.
An outside view of Strokes pub.An outside view of Strokes pub.
An outside view of Strokes pub.

And for many of you, it was the memory of showing your skills on the pool table which brought back recollections of Strokes.

This old favourite was in Hudson Road and we showed you a shot of the bar all lit up.

Inside Strokes in 1988.Inside Strokes in 1988.
Inside Strokes in 1988.
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It was enough to bring back memories for the likes of Collette Barr, Ronnie Taylor and Kevin Donaldson.

Collette Barr remembered games of pool and wasn’t the only one.

Ronnie Taylor said he and his friends were hugely successful in the game.

Kevin Donaldson described himself as “a regular in there when I worked over the road at Coutts and Findlater shopfitters.”

Inside Strokes in 1988.Inside Strokes in 1988.
Inside Strokes in 1988.

He later added: “I was always in the poolroom at the back.”

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While Vanessa Nichol said: “ha ha had many good laugh in here xx.

Karen Collins told us: “Loved this pub had some fab nights in here xx especially when Diane was the gaffa xx.”

And thanks also go to Fredmarie Imeson who commented: “I used to work there when Alan casidey had it, good little pub” while Lisa Hardy said she remembered paying a visit.

Lynn Hardy said it was “garn back a few years haha” while Lisa Hardy replied: “anah was great tho xxx” and added: “aye class times xxx.”

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Glyn Lamb was another to try his luck on the pool table and said: “Every Saturday I’d lose my wages in here at pool..them were the good old days.”

Tommy Greenhow “loved the place” while Paul Maple said he “drank in there after work” with pals.

Mark Horsley said: “I used to work here with Pearl from the Eastender!” while Susanne Martin reminisced: “My Aunty worked in this pub x.”

John Lynn described them as the “Good old days” while Natalie Craig said: “Had some good times there x.”

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It brought back memories too for Jimmy Shovlin who said: “Goodness I remember that place” while Jerome Dagg reminded us all of where in Sunderland the pub was.

“Top of hudson road near crown house.”

Our thanks to him and also to John Hobson who said: “Class establishment loved it.”

Isabelle Collinson commented: “My dad spent many a nite in here x” while Doug Heads said: “Good pub.”

Phillip Dempster hailed it as “class” and Ian Donaldson said: “Was my local for years . I loved the place.”

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Maureen Mather said: “I used to clean it..xx” while Jackie Toolin was one of many who reminded us of its Hudson Road location.

Connie Schonewald was impressed with the old photo and commented: “Omg.”

Our thanks go to everyone who followed the post on social media including Sharon Roper, Susan Fisken, Linda Redman, David Newby, Stephen Moran, Jude Cohen and Mary Howe.

Brenda Bonallie, Alan Fell, Andrew Samme, Bob Jackson, Philly Strong and Michelle Nelson also loved the post.

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We would love to hear from more people with memories of Strokes.

Did you drink there or work there – or perhaps played pool there like many of those who have already commented. If so, get in touch by emailing [email protected]

Others who liked the post included Shaun Stokoe, Steven Freck Hunter, Anita Laws, David Cooper, Derek Cheal, Denise MacDonald, Siobhan Kelly, Tom Lang and Colin Noble.

We would love to hear from more people on any aspect of Sunderland history.

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You might want to tell us about your favourite pub, restaurant, hotel or diner.

Perhaps you would like to look back on a much-loved workplace, or your former school.

Or maybe you might want to share news of a reunion through the Wearside Echoes column.

Whatever your story, get in touch and tell us all about it.

Do it by emailing [email protected] and sharing those lovely reminiscences.