The wonderful Wearside welcome that you gave the Queen on her Silver Jubilee visit - on this day in 1977
The 10-year-old who had a flag so large he couldn’t fly it for the Queen
Today, we take a look back at the highlights of a day which many locals will still remember fondly.
It was flags, flowers and cheering all the way as tens of thousands of Wearsiders welcomed the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh back to the North East in Silver Jubilee year.
Ten-year-old Michael Reay, of Victoria Avenue, Grangetown, even took his bedspread to the July 1977 celebrations – a Union Jack flag so large that his family had not been able to fly it!
“Although Michael was disappointed it could not be flown, he was more than satisfied when his family agreed to hold it for the Queen’s visit to Washington Sports Arena,” said the Echo.
The Queen and Prince Philip arrived at the Wearside boundary from Gypsies Green Stadium and, all along the route into Sunderland, they were greeted by cheering crowds.
“Among the crowds were thousands of schoolchildren, who left their classrooms for an hour or so for the rare chance of a glimpse at the Queen as she drove past,” reported the paper.
“As the Queen passed through Roker, another “queen” appeared. She was 78-year old Edith Briggs, of Lyndore Home, who was presented by a homemade crown by staff at the home.”
The cavalcade drove on through Dame Dorothy Street and across Wearmouth Bridge. The town centre was almost deserted as shoppers, shop assistants and office workers left their desks and counters to greet her on the drive along St Mary’s Street.
Also lining the streets were workers from Sunderland Shipbuilders’ North Sands Yard, who downed tools to “play truant” for the occasion – after being refused any time off.
“Shop roof tops provided enterprising Wearsiders with a bird’s-eye view of the Queen. Less adventurous onlookers leaned out of shop windows,” the Echo reported.
“Among the thousands of others who lined the streets were pupils from St Anthony’s and Barnes Infants’ schools who were all wearing name tags and cheering.
“The enthusiastic crowds even cheered every police car which went past during their long wait. When the Queen did arrive, no-one seemed disappointed they only got a brief glimpse.”
Worked stopped at 10am at the Southwick and South Docks shipyards of Austin and Pickersgill, to allow workers and their families to line the Royal route through the shipyard.
And outside the main offices – a key vantage point – children from Castletown Juniors and Newker Juniors took their places early, anxious to enjoy a right Royal day of fun too.
But, with the visit running well behind schedule – and despite an enthusiastic crowd of 2,000 cheering her on – the visit took just three minutes and the Queen never left her car.
She enjoyed a Scottish-style welcome, however, after moving on to Washington later in the day with the crowd breaking into song with Will Ye Ne’er Come Back Again.
Houghton and District Rangers, Guides, Brownies, Ventures, Scouts and Cubs formed a guard of honour as the Royal couple entered the Sports Arena to yet more cheers.
And the Queen then looked on smiling as hundreds of children took part in a jazz band display, before she was whisked away to her final appointment at the nearby Waterfowl Park.
We would love to hear from people who got to see Her Majesty in 1977. Share your own special memories by emailing [email protected]