Ernest “Ernie” Bewick (born 1954) is a Sunderland security businessman and former doorman who became one of the best-known figures in the city’s nightclub and pub scene during the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. Born in Sunderland’s [[East End, Sunderland|East End]], Bewick developed a formidable local reputation through door work and subsequently operated Bewick … Read more
The Houghton Feast is an annual festival held in [[Houghton-le-Spring]], in the [[City of Sunderland]], with origins in the medieval dedication festival of the parish church of [[St Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring|St Michael and All Angels]]. Its history extends to the 12th century, making it one of the oldest continuing community festivals in north-east … Read more
Shankhouse is a former colliery village and modern residential district of [[Cramlington]] in south-east [[Northumberland]], England. The settlement developed principally during the second half of the nineteenth century around Shankhouse Colliery, also known as the Amelia Pit, although the place-name derives from an earlier Shank House farm south of the later mining village.[1][2] Coal mining … Read more
Ernest Rolls, popularly known as “The Bag Man” or “The Sunderland Bag Man”, is a local character in [[Sunderland]], Tyne and Wear, who became widely recognisable during the early twenty-first century for travelling around the city centre accompanied by numerous suitcases containing his possessions. He was particularly associated with the area outside Sunderland railway station, … Read more
Brian Moore (1939–2016), popularly known as “The Spectre” or “The Sunderland Spectre”, was a Halifax-born artist who became a distinctive local character in [[Sunderland]], Tyne and Wear. After moving to Wearside during the 1970s, he became a familiar presence in Sunderland city centre, pubs and nightclubs. His Victorian-style clothes, particularly a top hat, tails and … Read more
Gilley Law, also known as Lakeside Village, is a residential neighbourhood in south-west [[Sunderland]], Tyne and Wear, England. It lies between [[Farringdon, Sunderland|Farringdon]], [[Silksworth]] and [[Doxford Park]] and is particularly identifiable by a group of seven 17-storey tower blocks completed in 1968. The wider municipal estate was developed principally in 1966–68, although construction of the … Read more
Ford Estate, usually shortened locally to Ford, is a residential suburb of [[Sunderland]], Tyne and Wear, England, about 2.3 miles (3.7 km) west of the city centre. Unlike the large Sunderland estates constructed after the Second World War, Ford was principally an inter-war municipal housing development, begun during the 1930s on formerly agricultural land acquired … Read more
The Dun Cow is a historic public house on High Street West in central Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, immediately adjoining the Sunderland Empire. The present building was designed in 1901 by Newcastle architect Benjamin Ferdinand Simpson for the brewing company Robert Deuchar Ltd and completed in 1901–1902. It replaced an earlier Dun Cow inn documented … Read more
Dave the Rave (born 1969) is a well-known local personality associated with [[Sunderland]], Tyne and Wear, particularly [[Pennywell]], the city centre and Sunderland’s nightclub and rave culture. He became locally recognisable for dancing energetically to rave and hardcore music in nightclubs, shopping areas, Metro stations and other public places, usually while listening through headphones. By … Read more
Jack Crawford (22 March 1775 – 10 November 1831), also known as John Crawford, was an English sailor from Sunderland who became celebrated as the ‘Hero of Camperdown’ for his actions during the Battle of Camperdown on 11 October 1797. Serving aboard Admiral Adam Duncan’s flagship, HMS Venerable, Crawford climbed the ship’s damaged rigging during … Read more