Tree-mendous memories of your parts in school nativities
TENS OF THOUSANDS OF YOU PICKED UP ON OUR ONLINE PICTURES OF NOSTALGIC SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PLAYS
It’s as festive a scene as it gets and it doesn’t grow old.
We’re talking about the school nativity, and when we shared photographs of some from Wearside around 20 years ago, they got huge reactions.
Your response to the Hylton Red House production in 1998 was superb.
This was a nativity done rock and roll style and we reached an audience of more than 21,000 of you on social media. It was music to our ears.
It struck a chord with Kathryn Stokoe who provided us with names including Dayna Lou Hall, Carl Newton, Leanne Roberts, and Josh Summerson.
For Kathryn, it was a real trip back in time and not just for the on-stage part of it all.
She recalled: “So funny brings back so many memories. Even remember painting the curtain in the background! X”
And it was Josh who described the photograph as “a toppa isn’t it haha”. Later, he added: “Ayeeee it’s me rocking the mushroom.”
Carl Newton commented: “Hilarious! Would die if anyone actually had video footage.”
Well, can anyone help. We’d love to hear from anyone who did record it all on film. Email chris.cordner@jpress.co.uk
Kayleigh Amanda Prior said: “No way I’m sure I ha that pic somewhere years ago..oh memory zz.”
Among those who liked the photograph were Christine Henderson, Sarah Mcmillan, Aimee Anderson, Sue Pringle, James Gallagher, Gillian Close, Pat Crosby and Derick C. Innes.
So did Doreen E Scott, Helen Graham, Sarah Sherlock, Mandy Mordey, Karen Anderso and Joanne Pearson.
But Hylton Red House’s nativity wasn’t the only one we featured.
Our sharing of the Quarry View Infants School nativity from 1997 got a big reaction. It reached more than 28,000 people and plenty of you remembered it.
It featured wise men, angels, a Christmas tree, the baby Jesus and a huge supporting cast which looks like it is having a great time.
Liam Ellis Jones was among those to respond and reckoned he was “sure I was the donkey in the play haha.” Lee Guttridge remembered
that he played a Christmas tree with a card on it.” And Meg
Guttridge was also pictured, playthe ing part of an angel.
The picture got plenty of likes on social media, including from Lisamarie Wilkinson Pinder, Annie Mcdermont, Jean Dawson, Linda Willis, Sharon Cairns, David Hind and Glenys Armstrong.
Others to like it included Susan Jones, Randeep Chaudhary, Maureen Collier, Callum Hadlington, Julie Cheal, Kimberley Jenkins, Alan Nichols, Hayley Watson, Carole Cook and Brian Hamilton.
And thanks also to Shirley Wales, Kathleen Burley, Sharon Bennett, Jenifer Middleton, Margaret Taylor, Tony Barker, Sharon Cleminson, Clare Feeney, Bronwen Williamson and John Alderson for also liking the post.
It wasn’t just nativities which we reflected on.
Who remembers this scene from 1998 when children from St John and St Patrick’s, and Hudson Road Primary Schools got a treat when they went to pantomime.
We wanted to know who remembered it and 27,000 people took an interest in the social media post.
Misfa Begum said: “Throwback!! Love it!,” and later added: “I remember that day clearly! Cos we got a home video from that year.”
The post got more than 30 likes on social media, including from Jean Dawson, Kayleigh Johnston, Britney Pearce, Sager Ali, Jean Thompson, Aniket Birle, Gladys Harle and Fabiha Khatun.
It was also liked by Danielle Grotz, Michelle Noble, Pat Johnston, Tony Hutchinson, Dayna Anderson, Carole Ann Mitchell, Nicole Hackett, Michelle Clarke Warwick, Kym Hutchinson, Sarah Murray, Pam Briton and Marc Montgomery.
Thanks to everyone who responded to all our Christmas themed stories.
If there is any aspect of Sunderland and Wearside nostalgia you would like us to share, get in touch.
It could be anything from memories of a favourite event from times gone by, to reflecting on your schooldays and your former classmates.
Would you like us to reflect on a pub, nightclub, restaurant, shop or department store from times gone by?
Whatever your reason for getting in touch with us, email chris.cordner@jpress.co.uk
“Even remember painting the curtain in the background!” KATHRYN STOKOE