General Features

Anthony Blacker was born in Sunderland in 1959 and his family lived in Percy Terrace, off Villette Road.

He started his school days at Commercial Road Infants, switching to Hill View Juniors when the family moved house, followed by Southmoor between 1971 and 1976 and then four years at Monkwearmouth College.

In March 1985, at the age of 25, he left Sunderland to move to London to work at Edgeware Hospital and now lives in Bristol, where he moved with his job.

A keen interest in sport has ensured Anthony has maintained strong links with Wearside, particularly following Sunderland's fortunes on the football pitch.

His love of sport includes following Durham County Cricket Club and he went to the first Test match to be held at the Riverside ground against Zimbabwe in 2003.

Brewery smell

He is also a keen runner, including regularly taking part in the Great North Run. He was one of those who competed the first time it was held in 1981.

He said: "I tried to get back as frequently as possible for holidays and the Great North Run, staying with my mum in Seaburn.

"Sadly she died in June 2005 and is now buried along with her two brothers, her parents and husband, my dad, in Grangetown Cemetery."

Anthony's memories include the aviary that used to be in Backhouse Park, the steam train and fairground at Seaburn, climbing on the "engine wall" in Percy Terrace to wave at passing steam trains on the Sunderland to Middlesbrough line and sledging in Backhouse Park.

His favourite places when he was growing up were Backhouse, Barley Mow and Mowbray parks, Roker Park football ground, Seaburn and Roker beaches and the Museum and Central Library.

He said there are things he misses about no longer living in Sunderland and a number of fond recollections from living in the area.

"Obviously not being able to get to the Stadium of Light on a regular basis. The smell of the Vaux brewery when walking over Wearmouth Bridge and being able to walk along the seafront from Seaburn to Roker or Seaburn to Whitburn," he said.

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