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
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
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