Viking reenactments and more as huge history fair celebrates Sunderland's colourful past

Celebrate Sunderland’s rich history as Sunderland History Fair returns this weekend.

There’s a whole day of activity including Roman, Viking and Norman reenactments, author and history talks, flash mobs, vintage bus rides and the chance to take a look inside some of the city’s finest historical gem buildings.

The fair, which takes place every two years, will be held from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, May 30 at the Bethany Church, Burdon Road, and it’s free admission.

Highlights will include history reenactments and demonstrations throughout the day, including the redcoats of 68th Regiment (Durham Light Infantry).

There will also be free regular vintage bus trips throughout the day from the History Fair venue at Bethany Church down to the Donnison School and 17 Nineteen in the East End of Sunderland.

Meanwhile, Horrible Histories author Terry Deary will be at the fair to give a talk at 2pm . After the talk, he will be signing books which you can buy from him or bring your own.

Other author talks include:

*Ian Mole, a local lad who grew up on Elmwood Street and writes about his early life, music, football and the sights and sounds of Sunderland.

*Glenda Young, famous for her Ryhope based sagas, her crime novels set in Scarborough and most recently The Toffee Factory Girls set in Chester le Street.

*Pauline Waters is another Sunderland writer and you may know her childrens' books about Stanley the Seagull.

* Susan Willis, a local writer who has delved into the world of cosy crime. Her character Faye Chambers solves crimes in instantly recognisable locations such as Birtley, Tynemouth and South Shields.

There will also be dozens of exhibitors on the day including : Sunderland Civic Society, Friends of Sunderland Museum, Hendon History Group, Hetton Local and Natural History Society, Washington Heritage, Northumberland & Durham Family History Society, North of England Mining Archive and Research Centre, North East War Memorials Project, Roker Pier Heritage Group and many more.

There will be a host of other stalls as well as the chance to see Sunderland Maritime Heritage’s model of replica of HMS Venerable, the ship synonymous with local hero Jack Crawford.

You can also take a look inside some historical gem buildings.

Over the road from Bethany Church, the Sikh temple, Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara, at The Cloisters will be open to the public.

There’s also the chance to see inside the Art Deco Wearside Masonic Hall on Burdon Road.

*Sunderland History Fair takes place from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, May 30 at the Bethany Church, Burdon Road. Admission is free.