AddThis SmartLayers

Regional daily marks first ‘National Mackem Day’

A regional daily has marked its patch’s first ‘national day’ designed to celebrate the area’s heritage.

The Sunderland Echo devoted its front page on Friday to the inaugural National Mackem Day, with further coverage inside the newspaper and online.

The term ‘Mackem’ is used in reference to Sunderland natives, and is thought to date back to the height of the city’s shipbuilding industry, when newly built vessels would then be transported to nearby Newcastle for outfitting.

This apparently gave rise to the expression “we make ’em and they take ’em”, with ‘Mackem’ being a corruption of the local pronunciation.

Sunderland Mackem

Sunderland Echo managing editor Gavin Foster said: “The idea of National Mackem Day came from the people behind a Mackem Dictionary which was recently published.

“Mackems are very proud of their heritage and where they come from and the city has really got behind the idea.

“The Sunderland Echo is very much a part of that heritage and at the very heart of the community. We’ve been running various stories in the lead up to the big day – through our website, in print and in particular our social channels.

“We asked readers to share their photographs and reasons why they love the city and we have been inundated.

“Local newspapers have to listen to and respond to their readers and we feel we have done just that with our content and in particular our front page, which brings together a montage of readers’ favourite snaps.

“It’s had a fantastic response from readers. We are a proud bunch us Mackems.”

4 comments

You can follow all replies to this entry through the comments feed.
  • August 15, 2016 at 8:36 am
    Permalink

    Have I got the date wrong? April 1?

    Sunderland is a dump. Always has been and always will be.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(5)
  • August 15, 2016 at 4:47 pm
    Permalink

    An accurate assessment of a glorified town that always punches below its weight. I even have the courage to put my name to my analysis.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(4)
  • August 16, 2016 at 9:10 am
    Permalink

    Harry, time to get that Hartlepool monkey off your back and have another hanging. Don’t be bitter all your life!

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(2)