Michael Ganley's love of football - and Sunderland AFC especially - may well have no equal. He's got so much Black Cats memorabilia that he filled an old train station with it! He told Wearside Echoes how it all started.

Wearside Echoes brought to you with the support of Tony Clarke Funeral Directors and with music by https://www.purple-planet.com/

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ArtVenturers founder and Wearside native Fiona Simpson joins Chris to talk about her life growing up in Sunderland and how she came to build this business which is adored by kids and adults alike.

Wearside Echoes brought to you with the support of Tony Clarke Funeral Directors and with music by https://www.purple-planet.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tara has cerebral palsy but it has not stopped her from becoming an award-winning business boss - or having a massive love of Take That. Tara shares her childhood passion for days at the beach.

Wearside Echoes brought to you with the support of Tony Clarke Funeral Directors and with music by https://www.purple-planet.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 3, Bill Barron recalls growing up behind the scenes at the Empire Theatre in Sunderland - the place where his dad was 'first trumpeter' in the resident orchestra and where his mam worked in the bar. He got to meet stars such as Stan Laurel and The Beatles - but what did he think of them?

Wearside Echoes brought to you with the support of Tony Clarke Funeral Directors and with music by https://www.purple-planet.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Wearside Echoes from Sunderland Echo, the new podcast all about Sunderland and its wonderful past.

In this episode Chris chats to Glenda Young whose childhood on a council estate in Sunderland was filled with love. She wrote little stories which she put at the back of her bedroom drawer, and it inspired her to become best-selling author when she grew up.

Wearside Echoes brought to you with the support of Tony Clarke Funeral Directors and with music by https://www.purple-planet.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Wearside Echoes from Sunderland Echo, the new podcast all about Sunderland and its wonderful past.

In this episode, Mackem Folk Singer Dave Murray re-lives a childhood next to the shipyards, watching as the sparks of the welding lit up his bedroom at night-time - and how dyslexia shaped his life.

Wearside Echoes brought to you with the support of Tony Clarke Funeral Directors and with music by https://www.purple-planet.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wearside Echoes by Sunderland Echo is presented by journalist Chris Cordner who is setting out to explore all about Sunderland's wonderful past.

You'll hear from a wide array of voices about what it was like growing up in Sunderland, the places they went, the things they saw, the people they met and the impact this wonderful place has had on their lives.

From local celebrities to those in the know, you'll be surprised, delighted and reminded of just how special Sunderland is.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.