Just been reading about the local ice cream vendors in Sunderland, Louis in Crowtree Rd., was where the Sunderland footballers of the late 40's & early 50's used to hang out, later they could be seen in the Bis Bar by the Ritz cinema when not training. The best ice cream in the area came from Houghton, by the bus stop, the Dimambro family had a traditional parlour with marble topped tables in booths, however the big attraction wasn't just the ice cream, there was a very lovely daughter, Antoinette. It was worth a stop off on the way back from Durham ice rink just to see if she was in the parlour...trouble was, the father didn't care for his daughter being chatted up by young lads. Derek