Remembering Wearmouth 1300, the Sunderland festival that pulled in the crowds in 1974

Scenes from Binns, Presto’s and Timothy Whites

By Chris Cordner

Published 18th Apr 2024, 04:55 BST

Updated 18th Apr 2024, 11:27 BST

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It had jazz bands, bagpipes, street theatre and massive crowds - and it happened 50 years ago. Sunderland celebrated in fantastic style in 1974 when it held the Wearmouth 1300 Festival.

All the fun of the Wearmouth 1300 festival in 1974.

All the fun of the Wearmouth 1300 festival in 1974.

Thousands watched the parades and bands

It marked 1,300 years since the founding of St Peter's and the events went on for months.

The highlights included a rendition of the Lambton Worm outside Presto's and Timothy Whites.

Lurpak butter for 10 and a half pence - and a performance of the Lambton Worm outside Presto's.

Lurpak butter for 10 and a half pence - and a performance of the Lambton Worm outside Presto's.

Later that summer, there was a parade of floats which went past Binns, Barclays Bank and Northern Goldsmiths.

Get in touch to tell us more

We have got Echo photos by the boatload and you can check if there is someone you know on one of them by taking a look at our film tribute. Be sure to sign up for our free Wearside Echoes retro newsletter here to see a picture special from Wearmouth 1300 in our May edition.

It's another great memory from Sunderland's past. Share yours by emailing [email protected]

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