I’ve always had a passion for North Shields. There’s something about the people and the town’s strong sense of identity and history which keeps drawing me back.
My working life started right here. My first job was as a rookie town planner for North Tyneside Council at Stephenson House. That was before the major regeneration of the Fish Quay. I still remember the notorious “Jungle” and the town’s old drinking dens! I’m actually a Scouser by birth, although I grew up in Manchester during the Factory Records and Hacienda music revolution of the 1980s. This is where I developed my lifelong passion for music and art. It was only when I got interested in genealogy during the pandemic that I discovered the real truth about my relatives. I was stunned to discover that my family originally hailed from North Shields. My ancestors worked as mariners and river pilots in the Tyne during the 1800s. Perhaps that’s why I keep being drawn back here?
I’ve worked in several different careers. After my planning career, I became an academic at Newcastle University, researching urban regeneration and cultural industries in the 1990s. This led to Generator, the North East popular music and digital development agency which I co-founded. I also became a founder member of Evolution, once the region’s largest ever popular music festival. When that disbanded, I changed my career and started working as a journalist and producer at the BBC!
Twenty years later, I’m semi-retired but still have a passion for community and culture. I was so impressed by I Love North Shields that I became a member of the writing team. Last year, I moved to Smith’s Dock where I live on the waterfront. My love for the area grows ever stronger after 40 years living in North East England.
We need more people flying the flag for North Shields which is why I’m passionate about I Love North Shields. I wear my tote bag with pride and hope that we’re injecting a breath of optimism and creativity into the town’s future development.
Long live North Shields!
