Historic Sunderland: Moments we almost Lost to Time

This video with the title: Historic Sunderland: Moments we almost Lost to Time is about Silksworth 1891-1963 + the Hendon Paper Mill Last Run. First, let's take a captivating journey through time with this visual history of Silksworth from 1891 to 1963, brought to life through a unique side-by-side comparison of rare archive photography and modern AI restorations. Across seven decades of profound industrial and social change, Silksworth transformed from a rural community into a bustling colliery village at the heart of County Durham’s coalfield. In this opening section, each chapter opens with an authentic original photograph paired with its historical date, immediately followed by an AI reimagining that recreates the depth, colour, and atmosphere of the original scene. From the late Victorian era of the 1890s through the mid-20th century, witness everyday life as it unfolded across the village: • The colliery landscape, pithead machinery, and the mining community that shaped the area’s identity. • Historic street scenes, local businesses, and community gatherings through times of peace, industrial strife, and post-war recovery. • The changing architectural fabric of New Silksworth and Old Silksworth across the generations. By pairing genuine archive records with digital visualisations, this timeline offers viewers a fresh perspective on local heritage—bridging the gap between historic monochrome records and vivid historical recreations. Explore our channel for more curated videos, archive collections, and local history from the Sunderland Antiquarian Society. Now we invite you to step behind the scenes for a totally unique and fascinating paper mill tour capturing the historic last production run of Sunderland’s renowned Hendon Paper Works before its permanent closure. Located on Ocean Road, Hendon Paper Mill played a vital role in the North East’s rich industrial heritage. Originally revived in the early 1980s by the Edward Thompson Group to feed a staggering weekly demand of 150 million printed tickets and bingo cards, the mill vertically integrated supply for the world’s largest bingo card manufacturer. Beyond the British bingo boom, the group’s high-security printing operations even produced the historic 1994 South African election ballots that saw Nelson Mandela elected president. However, shifting economic tides brought an end to an era: • 2006: Paper manufacturing ceased permanently, with the loss of 94 jobs, and heavy machinery was later dismantled and shipped overseas. • 2014: Commercial printing ended at Ocean Road, relocating to Sheepfolds. • 2018: Following ecological clearances to protect local bat roosts, the landmark factory buildings and iconic chimney were demolished to make way for coastal housing redevelopment. This rare archive footage offers an exclusive look at the machinery, skilled workforce, and final working days inside one of Wearside’s most famous manufacturing landmarks. Subscribe to the Sunderland Antiquarian Society for more local history and unseen archive film. Silksworth 1891-1963 + Hendon Paper Mill Last Run Explore the Silksworth local history captured in this archive footage. See how the Sunderland Antiquarian Society preserves our past. This video offers a rare look at community life, featuring a marching band parade, traditional industry, and scenes of local wildlife. It is designed for those interested in the heritage of North East England and the evolving landscape of Sunderland. By viewing these historic buildings and industrial processes, you gain a better understanding of the region's character. We document the Sunderland history that shaped our ancestors and the streets they walked, ensuring these memories remain part of our shared Sunderland City UK identity. What is local history — and why does it matter? Founded in 1900, the Sunderland Antiquarian Society is the UK's largest local history group and the primary custodian of historic Sunderland's local history and heritage. Through carefully researched content and archive materials lovingly curated by members of the Sunderland Antiquarian Society, we bring the past back to life in every Society talk. Whether you’re a local resident of Sunderland City UK, a family history enthusiast, or simply fascinated by North East England history roots, there is something here in these talks for you. If you recognise a place or remember a story, please leave a comment — your voice keeps our shared heritage alive. 📺 Channel:    / @sunderlandantiquariansociety   🌐 Website: https://www.sunderland-antiquarians.org/ Thank you for watching this video Historic Sunderland: Moments we almost Lost to Time — and welcome to the ever-growing heritage information hub of the Sunderland Antiquarian Society local heritage centre working hard to share local history and heritage online.