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Project: Boots, Blades, Pucks & Patches

This project was another one that came about as a follow on from Lynn Pearson’s book ‘Played in Tyne and Wear’.

We were interested in uncovering memories about some of the less well documented sports and pastimes and were given a warm welcome by the management and staff at Whitley Bay Ice Rink.  We hadn’t realised how much history there was in the rink (built in 1955), or how busy it was with all sorts of groups.

We have some wonderful memories of the project, including the time that volunteer photographers Alan and Ernest spent hours there taking pictures and had to be defrosted afterwards.  The rink was open to the public for the final exhibition and one couple virtually ran through the corridors to find the place where he had proposed marriage to her. That was a story in itself.