Here’s a round-up of some of the quirky events which were making the news.
So take a look through for a reminder of a piano-smashing competition, a summer search for a Santa and why Morris dancing was big on Wearside.
5. Wanted: Santa Claus
Okay, so it was the middle of summer but the search was on for two Santas and two pixies to help him in 1987. Here's the scene at Washington JobCentre in The Galleries.
The pixies had to be no taller than 5ft 2ins and be prepared to walk around in a small hat, red and green tunic, tights and pixie boots. Photo: SE
6. Piano smashing
Here's an event you don't see very often. A piano-smashing contest was held as part of the 1987 Fence Houses YMCA fun day.
Teams had to smash up a piano and then take all the pieces round a course. The winning side would be the one which got all the pieces of of the piano through toilet seats which were hanging from goalposts. Photo: SE
7. Morris dancing
Who says the old pastimes don't catch on! There was a waiting list for one particular lesson at Columbia Primary School in Washington and it was Morris dancing. Teachers David Constantine and Geoff Millington were in charge of it and it led to the school forming its own Morris dancing team. Remember this? Photo: SE