Families have been enjoying a free Family Fun Day at Minster Park in Sunderland.
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00:00 [Music]
00:16 Okay, so how much did you enjoy opening the event today and how much have you enjoyed being here?
00:21 It's been an absolute pleasure to come here today and it's a wonderful event.
00:25 Volunteers, stall holders, the children are enjoying it, the band's been particularly good and the choir was fantastic.
00:33 And fortunately the weather is holding up.
00:36 How important are these sort of events for the city?
00:39 They're very important. I think we need events like this and more events to bring people together to realise what good things there are in Sunderland.
00:48 It's very important.
00:50 I know Covid's a little bit behind us now, but obviously these sort of things were cancelled, so is it even better to see people out and about now after the pandemic?
00:58 Of course, and I think people are glad to be out and about after the pandemic.
01:01 We've had an awful two years and more so for the children. The children missed out on an awful lot, so for them to come out today on family days is very important.
01:11 [Indistinct chatter]
01:30 Ok, so how much have you enjoyed so far?
01:32 It's been great so far. We've had a lovely day, there's loads to do, the sun's come out for us. I think it's been a great success, really nice way to use this park. It's lovely.
01:41 What sort of activities have you done?
01:43 We've been doing some art, haven't we? There was some great storytelling and we listened to some music and we've got more to do as well.
01:53 I know you're new to the area, do you think it's important that people, and also particularly children, learn about the history and culture of their area?
01:58 Yeah, it's a really nice way to learn and have fun at the same time. It's great to find out a bit more about the area.
02:06 [Indistinct chatter]
02:22 Ok, if you could just tell me the organisation you're from, what your role is here today then please?
02:26 Well, my organisation, my group is called Time Bandits. We're living historians, historical interpreters, and today my role is to appear in the guise of the Venerable Bede, of course, who had a long association with Bishop Weermuth.
02:41 And how important is it that children do learn about the history and culture of their area?
02:46 I think it's absolutely vital because that's the link, the culture is the link between people today, young people today, and their ancestors and the history of the place in which they lived, which of course goes back a long way.
02:57 And the more young people can identify with that, then the more rooted in their region they will be and the broader their general understanding of life.
03:05 [Indistinct chatter]
03:07 Ok, and so how much have you and the kids enjoyed this so far today then?
03:10 We've really enjoyed today, it's been great. It's a free event and it's great to get the kids out and out of the house.
03:20 And how important is it that the kids come down and learn practical skills and different things rather than being in the house?
03:25 Yeah, it's really, it's nice to get them out and to get them looking at old crafts and doing different things that they wouldn't normally do.
03:35 [Music]