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Chris Cordner

Digital specialist in nostalgia

40 years of service with the Sunderland Echo, Hartlepool Mail and Shields Gazette and passionate about sharing memories of the past across our proud communities. Why not share yours?

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Sunderland Echo journalist Chris Cordner listens to the recording as it regales Sunderland memories about Vaux.

Fabulous 'silent disco' tour unveils Sunderland's rich history

Sunderland girls in training at the Old Eye Infirmary in Stockton Road in 1945.
The building was taken over that year by a firm of tailors to prepare key personnel for their new clothing factory on Wearside.

15 factories where you could have clocked on in Sunderland's past

Sunderland from the air but how many 2005 scenes do you recognise from this angle?

Sunderland Aerial Views: 2005 Highlights

Bob Usher in his nightclub doorman days - when people including his future wife said he looked like Alan Shearer.

From Alan Shearer lookalike to photographer

A preview of the last leg of the Sunderland's Got Talent heats before the grand final in 2007.

Nostalgic Sunderland 2000s Memories

Sally Davey was leading a class for seven and eight year olds at Mill Hill Primary School in this flashback to April 2005.

Sunderland's memorable English teachers

Ha'way the Lads! A queue forms for Sunderland v Boro tickets in the FA Cup in 1975.

Jaws and 1975: A memorable Sunderland year in photos

A trip to Joseph's Toy Shop was a must with any saved-up pocket money. And what a treat it was!

19 nostalgic sights in 1980s Sunderland

Making the most of the hottest day of the year in 2019 were Claire Coxon and son Jake on Roker Beach.

Celebrate Selfie Day with Sunderland's top 15 photos

Alan Ayre-Smith pictured in the days when he played for Sunderland Rugby Club.

I love this story of the British Lion who was a Sunderland war hero

On the march at the Durham Miners Gala in 2012.

'We won't abandon our principles': Durham Miners' spat with Reform

TV weather girl Wincey Willis was on hand to present the prizes at the Red Machine Allotments presentation night in Sunderland in August 2010.

'Full of joy' weathergirl icon Wincey Willis: Tributes paid

Tara Mackings who has shared her business story with us on podcast.

Tara's Great North Run: Business boss is breaking barriers

Take a trip back to June 2000 for memories of a special day in the sun with Mr Motivator.

Mr Motivator's sun-soaked fitness day in Sunderland 25 years ago

Gary Rowell and Nick Pickering on the attack against West Ham in September 1982. Sunderland won that one 1-0.

Retro SAFC classic games against their first 13 PL opponents

Auctioneer Nigel Smith pictured holding the signed Mark Knopfler guitar.

Guitar auction: Own a rare Mark Knopfler instrument

Five students looking stylish for their special night at the Stadium of Light. Tell us if you recognise them.

Unforgettable Monkwearmouth prom moments at Stadium of Light
Join us as we turn the clock back ten years for memories of the Monkwearmouth Academy prom.
Chris Cordner

PE teacher, Miss Audrey Wickham, was pictured at the wheel of the new mini bus of Castleview School, and some of the pupils were keen to join her in 1975.

Wearside PE teachers remembered

Relaxing with a picnic at the Sunderland Air Day in 1967.

SunderlandRetro: Food scenes as we celebrate International Picnic Day

Elsie Ronald, 91, has shared her life's memories in episode 5 of the Wearside Echoes podcast, sponsored by Mobility Care Solutions.

When Emeli Sandé sang for Sunderland graduate Elsie, 90

Searching for a spare patch of sand at Seaburn in June 1976.

1976 heatwave: Iconic Sunderland photos

A view of Dock Street in Sunderland in another photo from Sunderland Antiquarian Society.

Explore Old Monkwearmouth and its rich history

Former pupils will recognise Pat Patterson at Pennywell School. Here she is during lessons in November 2003.

13 more head teachers we remember from Sunderland's past

Trying out the new geo-tagged interactive experience in Sunderland. It will be launched later this month.

Silent disco explores Sunderland's past

Firefighters brave the smoke to tackle the blaze from a first floor ledge.

Quick-thinking hero saved building in town centre fire drama

Paddling back to 1984 for memories of the South Hylton raft race.

Sunderland raft race team wins sinking prize

He lost his job on his birthday - but Jeff Wright took his new-born triplets home in time for Father's Day.

Dad's journey from redundancy to triplets

Tug of war during the 1983 Wearmouth Deanery Sports Fun Day, held in aid of the C of E Children's Society. The Fun Day was held at the Vaux Sports Ground. Were you there?

Sunderland's fun day memories celebrated
It’s time for a spot of fun. Loads of it in this set of memories from 1983 to 2022.
Chris Cordner

Here is a view of the colliery as it looked in March 1986. Tell us if you worked there back then.

Vane Tempest pit era: end of mining legacy

Raise a glass to this May 2003 memory of Eye Spec owners Stuart Hulse and Paul Hepple outside their shop in Derwent Street.

13 shops on the day they opened in Sunderland

Bunnies bar in a Sunderland Echo archive photo from 1990.

Sunderland 1990: 13 photos of Wearside life

Sunderland and East Durham kids really are the tops at creating sandcastles, as these photos show.

Sunderland's sandcastle stars: Were you snapped?

Jill Scott at her former school, Monkwearmouth Academy. Her name has been included in the possible England line-up.

Soccer Aid 2025: Local Stars to Shine

Elsie Ronald, 91, has shared her life's memories in episode 5 of the Wearside Echoes podcast, sponsored by Mobility Care Solutions.

'I cried my eyes out when I was evacuated': Moving memories on podcast

A selection of takeaway offerings that you may remember from Sunderland as it looked 18 years ago.

Sunderland's 2007 takeaway highlights

You might have been there when it was known as Manor Quay Club, Campus or North Shore.
Have a look at these images from the club's past.

North Shore Sunderland: nostalgic look before possible demolition

Sister Mary Scholastica, one of Sunderland's finest ambassadors whose life is being celebrated in a new book.

Powerhouse in pictures: Sister Mary Scholastica's Wearside highlights

Sister Mary Scholastica in the Stella Maris centre.

Sister Mary: Sunderland's 'Angel of Mercy' celebrated in new book

Retired miner John Wood, 86, of Washington who has looked back on his days when he worked on the Metro system.

I had a key role in preventing subsidence damaging the Metro lines

Robert A Bartram who ran the family's Sunderland shipyard and served his country in two wars.

Robert Bartram: The Shipyard Owner who served Wearside well

Thornhill School, Sunderland, where fire caused extensive damage in June 1970. Tell us if you were a pupil there at the time.

'I remember going to school and being turned back'

Brenda Wile, 16, of Houghton and David Turnock, 15, of Gosforth with a selection of Old Time, Modern and Latin dancing trophies.

1977 dance duo's 67 awards triumph

Cowardly Lion Joe Braith and Tin Man Clive Hopkins enjoy a cuppa in the Vulcan bomber in 1983.

Having a 1983 cuppa in a Vulcan bomber

Chris Shinn composed a musical called "In the Beginning Blues" in 1981.
It was premiered by 60 youngsters at New Silksworth Junior School where she taught.

13 Wearside music teachers you might recall

Brooke, George and Wendy Redford were ready to serve at Redz in Gleneagles Road in 2012.

Fish and chip day: 15 Sunderland retro scenes to get your teeth into

Firefighters work through the debris in the aftermath of the blaze 55 years ago.

Thornhill School: The day it closed after a massive fire

Sunderland man Ben Cook ran the entire length of the Tyne and Wear Metro line two years ago.

Metro Sunderland's memorable rail history amid expansion

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