Ryhope Village c 1950?
The shop on the left was a cafe c1958/59 when I was at Ryhope Grammar, we were only allowed to leave the school at lunchtime to go to the library but we were in the cafe or Louis ice cream shop on Ryhope Road most days. DA
Sunderland District Tram 2 stands outside the Wynyard Arms at New Silksworth before the First World War. Notice the dreadful state of the road, which was quite common in those days. The tram lines were laid on a concrete foundation and, in built up areas, the Company was supposed to pave the roadway with whinstone setts between the tracks and for 18 inches on each side. In other places only a 9 inch margin on each side of each rail was paved but even that is missing in this photo. People liked the trams because riding along on smooth rails was a lot better than using the awful roads.
Photograph and caption from Malcolm Fraser
This postcard view of Ryhope Street probably dates from about 1910. The Wellington Hotel is on the left with another pub next door and the 'five pound houses' are on the right beyond the chapel. The track of the Sunderland District Electric Tramways leads up the street towards Ryhope Co-op, the impressive building on the skyline. Generations of families shopped there and looked forward to 'Divi Day', the one time when there might be enough money to buy a treat or two.
Photograph and caption from Malcolm Fraser
