Reminder of our heritage by new bridge
Sunderland’s industrial heritage has been honoured at the site of the city’s magnificent new bridge.
The old stone plaque from the Crown Works head office building has been installed in a wall near the southern approach to the bridge at Pallion, to mark the history of the site, which housed Coles Cranes for more than 50 years.
Former workers from the site were invited to the unveiling and given the opportunity to look at the site around the bridge, where they once worked.
Peter Davidson, 77, from Fullwell, worked as an electrician at the site for 43 years, starting at the age of 15, completing an apprenticeship, and only leaving when the site closed in 1998.
“Crown Works was one of the biggest employers in Sunderland, so I’m delightsure ed that it’s being remembered next to the site of the new bridge,” he said.
“I spent most of my working life here, and there were other people who worked at Crown Works for more than 50 years. There were whole families who were employed here, so the impact it had, and the memories it created, were great.
“We made lifelong friendships and a number of us are still in contact and meet up.
“It’s great to see Northern Spire standing here now.
“Time moves on and I’m this bridge is going to breathe new life into the area. It would be wonderful if we could see this whole area bustling and used again for business and areas for people to live.”
Deputy leader of Sunderland City Council Councillor Michael Mordey said: “This huge riverside site beside Northern Spire was once a bustling industrial heartland, where thousands of cranes were manufactured before being exported around the world, so it’s only right that we commemorate it in this way.”