Took this photograph a few days ago from Wylam Wharf on the south bank of the River Wear in Sunderland, NE England.
When I came to add a caption, I discovered that, after all these years, whenever I had been referring to the dwellings pictured here on the north bank of the river near Wearmouth Bridge, I have been describing them as the 'Bonnersfield Apartments'.
Turns out, I that's wrong and they are in fact 'Bonners Raff'.
So, what is a 'raff' I wondered.
My go-to search engine came back explaining that a 'raff' is a term meaning rubbish, refuse, or a disreputable rabble of people (as in 'riffraff'!).
However, the good news for those who live at Bonners Raff and who might not want to be thought of in such derogatory terms, the reference to 'raff' in this case is historical one.
'Bonners Raff' is actually a reference to one John Bonner (1741–1811), who operated a timber 'raff' (yard) in the area, known as 'Bonnersfield'.
#england #sunderland #riverside #landscape #photography