There’s plenty of pastimes that were once part of the fabric of Sunderland life which you sadly can’t do anymore.
We’ve had a rifle through our archives to bring you some great memories from over the decades, from bagging a bargain at the Dewhirsts shop to being able to smell the hops at Vaux which filled the air on brewing days.
17. Riding the Big Dipper at Seaburn Fairground
The fairground at Seaburn was once a huge attraction with plenty of rides for kids, and big kids at heart. And its iconic rainbow-coloured sign was only recently pulled down as part of the ongoing regeneration of the seafront. On May 30 1955, the £75,000 big dipper, pictured here, was opened in time for the beginning of the holiday season. One and a quarter miles long and 100 feet high, it was the only one of its kind along the East Coast as far as Yarmouth. Photo: JPI Media
18. Enjoying a pint of Samsons at The Brewery Tap
The 160-year Brewery Tap pub, on the site of the beloved Vaux brewery, was once a popular spot for a proper pint. Although the pub and the brewery are long gone, Samsons still lives on with Maxim Brewery in Rainton Meadows. Photo: JPI Media
19. Smelling the hops in the air
The much-loved Vaux Brewery operated in Sunderland for 162 years until its closure in 1999. It was once inextricably linked to the city: its distinctive smell filled the air on brewing days, its horses clip clopped around the streets delivering Samson, Lambtons, Double Maxim and more and its 9,000sq ft brewery dominated the skyline. Photo: JPI Media
20. Watching a ship being launched on the Wear
Sunderland has a long and proud shipbuilding heritage and watching mighty ships being launched on the Wear was once a popular pastime. Pictured here is youngster Andrew Rowland in October 1979 at the ship launch of the SD 14 Thai Binh from the new tandem covered-in berth of Austin and Pickersgill at the Southwick shipyard. Photo: JPI Media