When a Sunderland pub called 'time please' in the 1970s - and it was a local which had few equals
‘Time please’ was the message which rang out in a Sunderland pub for the last time 55 years ago.
It was back in early 1971 that the Engineers Tavern closed its doors for good.
Nestling under a grimy railway arch
A Sunderland Echo reporter paid a visit just before it shut and reported it was ‘nestling almost out of sight under a grimy railway arch in Sheepfolds Road, Monkwearmouth’.
“Miss Rose Roberts rang time on the big brass bell, probably salvaged from an old Wear tug, and bade a sad farewell to all the pub’s regulars, who have become more like old friends than customers during the nine years she has been the licensee.
“She said she would miss them all and miss the pub, and that there’s not a pub between Bridge Street and the Wheatsheaf as they have all closed or been demolished.
Weekly meetings of pigeon fanciers
“She said: “The trade had just gone. At one time there were people living around here. Seaman and the coal trimmers all used to come here, but now they are gone as well.”
Miss Roberts explained why the Engineers was different to other Sunderland locals.
“The regulars will miss coming here. We were all like one happy family. There was always a good atmosphere - never any rows or fights. The men from the pigeon lofts had their weekly meetings here.”
She proudly admitted that the pub was old fashioned, but believed that was why the regulars liked it. They preferred the jangling of the piano to the blast of a juke box while they played darts and other games.
The area that the Engineers was located in was known as Back of the Pit and another of the pub’s characters was Elizabeth Vickery (Ma Vic) who was the landlady at one time. She was also the first female chairperson of the Licensed Victuallers Association
Tell us if you remember the Engineers, by emailing [email protected]
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