Sunderland in the 1950s | Work & Leisure After the War

Описание: Step back in time to Sunderland in the early 1950s, just nine years after the end of the Second World War. Life was modest but full of resilience and community spirit. Families were rebuilding their lives, shipyards and coal mines dominated the local economy, and neighbours looked out for one another.

In this video we explore what it was really like to live in Sunderland at that time — the working conditions in shipbuilding and coal mining, wages and holidays, and the vital role of women in shops, offices and factories. Discover where people shopped, from Binns department store to bustling High Street West and the lively market stalls.

Take a trip back in time with this historical footage showcasing North East England history in the 1950s. See daily life, transport, and city scenes from old britain, offering a unique glimpse into the past. This archive is a treasure trove of vintage uk, revealing british history through rare glimpses of North East England.

We also look at Sunderland’s transport system as trams disappeared and buses, trains, bicycles and walking became the main ways of getting around. Few families could afford cars, but everyone found a way to get to work or enjoy their leisure time.

Leisure and entertainment were simple but meaningful — football at Roker Park, nights out at cinemas and dance halls, visits to working men’s clubs, and Sunday strolls in Roker Park or Mowbray Park.

This is the story of Sunderland in the 1950s: a community that worked hard, lived modestly, and carried a shared optimism for a brighter future.

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What is our Heritage?
Welcome to the official YouTube channel of the Sunderland Antiquarian Society – a treasure trove of Sunderland history, heritage, antiquities and heartfelt storytelling from the heart of Wearside.

Dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich and often forgotten past of Sunderland City UK, this channel is your digital doorway into Sunderland history, with historic buildings, cherished photographs, and the remarkable stories of ordinary people who shaped Sunderland history.

Through carefully researched content and archive materials lovingly curated by members of the Sunderland Antiquarian Society, we bring the past back to life.

Whether you’re a local resident of Sunderland City UK, a family history enthusiast, or simply fascinated by North East England history roots, there is something here for you.

Each local history video presentation offers unique insights drawn from the extensive collections held by the Sunderland Antiquarian Society illustrating what is our heritage, including rare documents, periodicals, personal memoirs, local antiques and vivid images that illuminate Sunderland history in ways few other resources can.

Expect engaging episodes covering everything from the industrial boom of the 19th century to the bustling port days with the history of ship building, wartime memories, maritime tragedies, Sunderland glass making history and glass manufacturing process schooldays, car manufacturing, shipyards, coal mining history, social clubs, Vaux brewery history and local history video presentation aims to explain what is our heritage all about.

You’ll also find features on Sunderland old pubs, cinemas, and forgotten street scenes, all brought to you with the warm, community spirit that defines the work of the Sunderland Antiquarian Society.

This channel is more than just a Sunderland history archive — it is a living tribute to Sunderland’s identity, and a home for those who still care deeply about the stories of their ancestors and the streets they walked. Every corner of Sunderland City UK has a story to tell, and we’re here to tell it.

Please like, subscribe, and join our Community organisation in the comments to share your own memories, knowledge, and questions. Together, with the continuing work of the Sunderland Antiquarian Society, we can ensure these precious pieces of the past are never lost to time.

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