Dalton Street, Bicycle and Recreation Grounds

Known as 'Waller's' the bicycle ground had a cinder track and small grandstand. It was established by professional cyclist George Waller using some of his 100 guineas winnings from the 1879 Six Day Championship of the World at the Agricultural Hall in Islington, London. In six days Waller completed 10,500 laps of the small indoor track (1,404 miles!). Waller promoted races for amateur and professional cyclists. The ground was not successful and closed in 1884. Waller's High Bicycle (Penny Farthing) is now in the collection of Beamish Museum. His trophy for winning the Six Day Championship is in Monkwearmouth Station Museum.