A Century of Wedding Gowns exhibition is running daily at Queen Street Masonic Lodge in the East End until July 27. The exhibition, in aid of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation includes replicas of some very famous Royal Wedding gowns and tiaras as well as the wedding gown worn by Mrs Kathy Weir for her marriage to her husband Doddie Weir in 1997. It's also a great chance to explore this historic building. The exhibition is free, with collection boxes for the charity.placeholder image
A Century of Wedding Gowns exhibition is running daily at Queen Street Masonic Lodge in the East End until July 27. The exhibition, in aid of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation includes replicas of some very famous Royal Wedding gowns and tiaras as well as the wedding gown worn by Mrs Kathy Weir for her marriage to her husband Doddie Weir in 1997. It's also a great chance to explore this historic building. The exhibition is free, with collection boxes for the charity. | Sunderland Echo

Military reenactments to mining heritage: 10 highlights of Sunderland's Heritage Fortnight

By Katy Wheeler

Lifestyle Editor

Published 23rd Jul 2025, 10:43 BST

From military reenactments to digging deep into our mining heritage, there’s plenty of events happening for #LoveSunderlandHeritage fortnight which is running until Sunday, August 3.

There’s a packed programme of events at venues across the city, here’s just 10 of the highlights.

Roots in the City: The Legacy of Chrysanthemums and Community takes place on July 24 from 5pm to 7pm at Just Let Your Soul Grow. Join volunteers at the Community Garden to uncover stories – both old and new – tied to this beautiful green space. Come along to learn more about Sunderland’s floral heritage, share memories, and celebrate the community spirit that continues to help this garden grow. Cost: Free, drop in

5. Just Let Your Soul Grow, Thompson Road, Fulwell

Roots in the City: The Legacy of Chrysanthemums and Community takes place on July 24 from 5pm to 7pm at Just Let Your Soul Grow. Join volunteers at the Community Garden to uncover stories – both old and new – tied to this beautiful green space. Come along to learn more about Sunderland’s floral heritage, share memories, and celebrate the community spirit that continues to help this garden grow. Cost: Free, drop in | Sunderland Echo

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Join Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens during Sunderland Summer Heritage and the national Festival of Archaeology for a fun family workshop exploring Anglo-Saxon objects and find out facts about Sunderland’s history. Dig in the finds pit, help to make a giant stained-glass window and discover medicinal herbs used by the Anglo Saxons in the Community Garden. It takes place on July 28 from 11am–12.30pm & 1.30–3pm. Cost is free and drop in.

6. History Mondays: Sunderland Saxons

Join Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens during Sunderland Summer Heritage and the national Festival of Archaeology for a fun family workshop exploring Anglo-Saxon objects and find out facts about Sunderland’s history. Dig in the finds pit, help to make a giant stained-glass window and discover medicinal herbs used by the Anglo Saxons in the Community Garden. It takes place on July 28 from 11am–12.30pm & 1.30–3pm. Cost is free and drop in. | Sunderland Echo

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North Sands Bicentennial Commemoration takes place on August 3 from 2pm to 4pm at St Peter's Church. On 3rd August 1825, during a strike organised by the Seamen’s Loyal Standard Association, at least five people were shot dead by soldiers at North Sands, Sunderland. Locals were outraged, believing those killed were wilfully murdered. Immediately recognised as a historically significant event that should never be forgotten, the Massacre echoed the 1819 tragedies of Peterloo and stands as an important marker on the national path to fairer labour conditions and a more representative democracy. To mark the 200th anniversary, there is a short procession with readings, speeches, music and a commemorative wreath placed at the location of the massacre (now St Peter’s Campus). This is a free event and all are welcome.

7. North Sands Bicentennial Commemoration

North Sands Bicentennial Commemoration takes place on August 3 from 2pm to 4pm at St Peter's Church. On 3rd August 1825, during a strike organised by the Seamen’s Loyal Standard Association, at least five people were shot dead by soldiers at North Sands, Sunderland. Locals were outraged, believing those killed were wilfully murdered. Immediately recognised as a historically significant event that should never be forgotten, the Massacre echoed the 1819 tragedies of Peterloo and stands as an important marker on the national path to fairer labour conditions and a more representative democracy. To mark the 200th anniversary, there is a short procession with readings, speeches, music and a commemorative wreath placed at the location of the massacre (now St Peter’s Campus). This is a free event and all are welcome. | Sunderland Echo

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The latest instalment of the Donnison School’s Lovell Lectures, a series of monthly lectures that cover local, regional and national history. A talk about personal reflection of North-East mining history and a boy’s baptism into the mining life. It takes place on July 28 from 1.30 PM - 3PM at Donnison School Heritage Centre in the East End. Cost: £3 Members | £3.50 Non-members

8. Mining Memories - A Personal Reflection, The Donnison School

The latest instalment of the Donnison School’s Lovell Lectures, a series of monthly lectures that cover local, regional and national history. A talk about personal reflection of North-East mining history and a boy’s baptism into the mining life. It takes place on July 28 from 1.30 PM - 3PM at Donnison School Heritage Centre in the East End. Cost: £3 Members | £3.50 Non-members | Sunderland Echo

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