Shipyard worker's son 'honoured' to install gateway blue plaque

Steven Gordon is a skilled operative who worked on structures on the SSTC3 dual carriageway project, carrying out work on scaffolding and the accompanying soil nail wall. When it was decided that an official blue plaque would be fitted to the restored gateway to indicate its historic significance, he was chosen to install it.

Steven's dad, Brian Gordon, completed an apprenticeship at the shipyard in 1960 and would have passed through the gateway every day. Although Brian passed away last year, Steven said he was "honoured" to be able to fit the plaque.

He said: "I have the certificate my dad got when he completed his engineering apprenticeship at the shipyard in 1960, just a day before his 21^st birthday.

"He carried on working there until around 1970 and would have passed through the gateway every day on his way in and out of work. When I mentioned my dad's connection to the shipyard, the project team asked if I would like to be the one to add a historic blue plaque and I told them I would be absolutely honoured. I took his certificate along as we fitted it and it was a really meaningful moment for me and my family, as well as for everyone who has ties to the shipyard.

"I worked on moving the arch from the beginning of the job until it was completed - putting the base in and working with the stonemasons as they rebuilt it.

"I knew hundreds of lads who worked in the shipyards, it's a really important part of the history and heritage of this area."

The arch was the original gateway into WM Doxford & Sons Shipyard between 1840 and 1989. It had to be dismantled and moved from its original location as part of the SSTC3 project, which created a new uninterrupted dual carriageway between the Northern Spire bridge and the city centre.

Before the SSTC3 project began, Sunderland City Council committed to preserving the archway, although it was not possible to save the entire gatehouse as some of the recovered keystones were too badly cracked. However, the damaged keystones were donated to the Sunderland Maritime Museum to accompany its scale Doxford Gatehouse model.

Doxford Engines Friends Association has supported the project team throughout the dismantling and re-erection.

It had to move around 50 metres to make way for the road, but workers were able to carefully take it apart, restore it, and rebuild it brick by brick.

The overall SSTC3 project itself was carried out to maximise opportunities for local companies and jobs through the supply chain to keep money in the city's economy. It saw £26 million re-invested locally and created 32 jobs, employing 19 long-term unemployed people. £40.5m for the scheme was provided by The Department for Transport.