Remembering a generation of lost children

A city artist has created a moving tribute to the 183 children who died in one of Sunderland’s greatest tragedies.
Artist Lyn Killeen with her Silent Voices exhibitionArtist Lyn Killeen with her Silent Voices exhibition
Artist Lyn Killeen with her Silent Voices exhibition

On June 16, 1883, a generation of Sunderland children lost their lives in a stampede for free toys at the old Victoria Hall theatre in Toward Road.

This weekend, as on June 16 each year, a service will be held to mark the tragedy at the Victoria Hall Memorial in Mowbray Park.

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Remembering the 183 children who died in Sunderland tragedy
Silent Voices bears the name of the children who died in the Victoria Hall disasterSilent Voices bears the name of the children who died in the Victoria Hall disaster
Silent Voices bears the name of the children who died in the Victoria Hall disaster
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To mark the date, Sunderland artist and University of Sunderland Fine Art graduate Lyn Killeen will show her latest contemporary art installation, Ascension, her personal tribute to the children who lost their lives in the disaster.

She will also show Silent Voices, an installation of 183 individual glass tributes painted by the community in a project produced and facilitated in partnership with Living History North East and supported by Cultural Spring in 2017.

Lyn worked with local groups as part of the Silent Voices project to individually paint 183 glass holders inscribed with the names of each of the children who lost their lives in the disaster. Both art pieces will be on display at the Frederick Street Gallery this weekend, June 15 and June 16.

Alongside the exhibition, Fred Gooch, a local model maker and Sunderland Maritime Heritage member, will show his Victoria Hall model.

Ascension will also be on display at the Frederick Street GalleryAscension will also be on display at the Frederick Street Gallery
Ascension will also be on display at the Frederick Street Gallery
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Lyn said: '”It would be lovely to also see community members who participated in the project Silent Voices come along to see their tributes lit once more to remember the children.”

The Victoria Hall remained in use until 1941 when it was destroyed by a German parachute bomb.

*Ascension and Silent Voices will be on display at Frederick Street Gallery from noon to 3pm on Saturday, June 15 and noon until 2pm on Sunday, June 16. Entry is free.

*The memorial service on Sunday, June 16 at the Victoria Hall Memorial in Mowbray Park will be led by Rev Ian Davies and local schoolchildren will be laying posies. All are welcome to come along and pay their respects at the service which starts at 11am.