Ricky Sbragia, Roy Keane, Mick McCarthy, Howard Wilkinson...... A different nickname and regular 2nd and even 3rd teir football.
Roker Park With its magnificent Victorian style and feel and the seaside resort of Roker are now a very popular tourist attraction, but it attracted very little attention until the late 19th Century. The earliest development was the building of Roker Terrace along the sea front on the cliff tops in the 1840's. Roker was still not classed as a holiday resort until 1880 following the opening of Roker Park. The land for the park was donated by Sir Hedworth Williamson and the Church Commissioners for the development based upon the Roker Ravine in 1880. There was a condition to the donation and that was the 'Commission' build a bridge to span the ravine so that Sir Hedworth Williamsons land to the North of the area could be opened for development Drinking Fountain Erected on 23rd. A handsome drinking fountain was erected on 23rd June 1880 to commemorate the opening of the park and also the Centenary of Sunday schools, this stands near the ornamental lake. The ornamental lake in the heart of the park, provided opportunities for a variety of activities and was often presided over by four white swans presented by the King Model Railway. Some time after the end of World War II a model train and tram track were constructed by the local model engineering society and they were very popular. Visitors to the park also enjoyed daily events and attractions during the summer season. Particularly popular were the performances on the bandstand and the peirott show traditionally held at the lower promenade entrance, both of which always attracted large audiences Roker Ravine. The obvious attraction of Roker during the Victorian Era was its coastal location with the promenades and beaches often crowded with vast numbers of visitors. Winding from the beach between limestone cliffs are the well laid out grounds of Roker Park that enclose a deep ravine as you head towards the centre of the park. On the south side of the ravine is a large cave, now closed to the public, Known as Spottee's or Monk's Hole and tradition has it that this formed the entrance to an underground passage to St Peters Church, Monkwearmouth, hence the latter name. The passage is said to have been explored to a considerable distance by three local people well over a century ago, however when the cave was examined in 1870, no trace of the passage could be found The name "Spottee" is said to be derived from a poor foreigner, who, although unable to speak English, managed to pick up a precarious living in the neighbourhood, and was known by that name on account of his many-coloured garments Display Gardens and Floral Displays. The park has retained its Victorian style through to the present day and provides visitors with an array of interesting features and attractions including, Victorian Street Lamps, Display Gardens, Floral Displays, Children's Play Parks, Model Railway and Tram Lines and the Ornamental Lake. The lake is used for boating and some of the other activities include bowls and tennis. A programme of events and entertainments are held during the summer season Go to Seaburn Sunderland Page | Sunderland International Airshow Children's play parks Roker Park Ornamental Lake Copyright 2001-2011 © Wearsideonline.com | Contact Us | Your Privacy | Sitemap
