Remembering life in Sunderland in 1982: Nine stories which made the Sunderland Echo headlines 40 years ago, from a fire eater to a wind machine operator

What do a fire eater, a sidecar champion and a stalwart of the cinema world have in common?
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The answer is they all made the Sunderland Echo headlines in 1982. Intrigued?

Chris Cordner explains more.

Fire-eater John Dolan planned to climb the highest mountain in the country, Scafell Pike in Cumbria, donning a clown’s costume and a pair of stilts and then become the Pike’s first unofficial dragon’.

Stories which made the Wearside news headlines 40 years ago.Stories which made the Wearside news headlines 40 years ago.
Stories which made the Wearside news headlines 40 years ago.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I thought of a sponsored walk but wanted to do something different than this, ” said John (45), who taught drama and pottery at the Washington Multi-purpose Centre in 1982.

Anyone remember how his charity mission went?

Sunderland schoolteacher Pamela Clasper was part of a special Task Force heading for the Falkland Islands.

Pamela was one of six people chosen by the Overseas Development Administration to help get life on the islands back to normal.

The official opening of the factory in Pallion by the residents of the area - 40 years ago this month.The official opening of the factory in Pallion by the residents of the area - 40 years ago this month.
The official opening of the factory in Pallion by the residents of the area - 40 years ago this month.

Pamela, 29, was on standby waiting for a call from the ODA to fly out to take up a teaching post.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The people of Pallion moved into a giant factory and began a £750,000 enterprise. They took over the former Hepworths clothing factory.

They planned to turn it into an industrial, sports and leisure complex run by and for the people in their neighbourhood.

Pallion Residents Enterprises won substantial backing from public and private funds and the local vicar Rev Jeffrey Wilcox, found himself as the company president.

Dave Cotton, left and Roland Reay pictured with their side-car and some of the trophies from their past successes.Dave Cotton, left and Roland Reay pictured with their side-car and some of the trophies from their past successes.
Dave Cotton, left and Roland Reay pictured with their side-car and some of the trophies from their past successes.

Dave Cotton and Roland Reay’s motor cycle and sidecar career had been a huge success but there was talk of 1982 being their last year of racing.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The two friends from Seaburn Dene had just completed another great season by winning the top trophy in the region for the second year running.

The Rosslyn Babes – the Wearside-based dance sensation – was so successful, it had two troupes in the 1980s which were both made up of teams of 12. By 1982, the Babes were performing at the Sunderland Empire production of Cinderella.

Ryhope School earned themselves a place in the record books of the Sunderland and District Schools Rugby Union.

Ryhope School's all-conquering rugby teams in 1982.Ryhope School's all-conquering rugby teams in 1982.
Ryhope School's all-conquering rugby teams in 1982.

All five of their teams appeared in a cup final and four were victorious. The under-12s beat Thornhill 30-4, the under 13-s beat Broadway 16-12, the under-14s beat Southmoor 14-6, the under-15s beat St Aidan’s 9-0, but the under-16s lost 4-3 to St Aidan’s after extra-time.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Not ones to lose heart, the under-16s beat St Aidan’s in the Town’s seven-a-side tournament final.

Read More
9 photos showing how Sunderland and County Durham looked 40 years ago this month

The first stone in Coles Cranes £1.2million central store was laid by retiring chairman William De Vigier in 1982.

And after the ceremony, managing director Mr David Steel announced that the company has won a £1½million order in East Europe.

Did you work at Coles Cranes?

Rosslyn Babes at the Sunderland Empire.Rosslyn Babes at the Sunderland Empire.
Rosslyn Babes at the Sunderland Empire.

Silksworth man Jack Frecker called time on his career in the world of cinemas. He had started out as a rewind boy at Silksworth Hippodrome where he operated a wind machine to create sound effects. He finished as the manager of a Fairworld picture house.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Churchgoers and a local task force got their rewards for raising £118,000 when a large extension to Rickleton chapel in Washington was unveiled.

Were you there for the unveiling?

What are your memories of Wearside in 1982? Tell us more by emailing [email protected]