History & Heritage

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Explore the rich history and proud heritage of North Shields — from its shipyards and fishing traditions to the people, places, and stories that shaped our town. Discover how the past continues to inspire the future of our community.

The Lost Dudes of North Shields: Searching for Royal Quays’ Forgotten...

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MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: THE SEARCH FOR THE LOST DUDES Geoff Holland goes in search of one of North Shields’ most intriguing pieces of public art — more than 25 years after thirteen colourful figures appeared beside the Royal Quays.

John Ellis: North Shields Fish Quay in His Own Words

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John Ellis has spent almost 70 years working around North Shields Fish Quay. Now, in his own words, he shares memories of its fishing industry, people, characters and a way of life that has changed beyond recognition.

Robert “Mouseman” Thompson in North Shields: A Hidden Legacy and Carved...

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his in-depth feature traces the story of Robert “Mouseman” Thompson — the Yorkshire craftsman famous for his carved mice — and uncovers his unexpected footprint in North Shields, from Mouseman furniture in St Columba’s church to the 1958 Wooden Dolly in Northumberland Square.

POETRY: Pen Bal Crag

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by Rachel Hammersley Huge skies cast darkness over this brave headland,The sandstone crags ravaged by wind and waves.Atop the cliff sit ruins, wrecks and graves;Below,...

James Linkleter – the tragic tale of the humble inventor who...

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Adapted from the memoirs of Alan Linkleter and research by James Linkleter James Linkleter came from an enterprising family whose deep connection to the sea...

The Wooden Dollies of North Shields

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By David Scholey  The Wooden Dollies are fairly well known to most visitors to North Shields but not so many people know their history. To trace...

The Fishing Lasses of North Shields

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For much of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, North Shields was one of the most important herring ports on the east coast...

Historic Royal Visit Painting Unveiled in North Shields

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As part of the North Shields 800 celebrations, a long-overlooked piece of local maritime heritage was brought back into the spotlight today with the unveiling of a newly restored oil painting titled The Royal Visit to the Tyne, August 1884, by North Shields-born artist John Davison Liddell (1859–1942).

Who Was Mary Ann Macham? | North Shields History & Anti-Slavery...

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Mary Ann Macham was an enslaved woman who escaped from a plantation in Virginia, USA, and endured a treacherous sea journey, eventually arriving in North Shields on Christmas Day 1831, marking the start of 60 years of freedom in the town.

Remembering The Past: Community Voices Take Centre Stage in North Shields...

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Two new exhibitions at the Beacon Centre are set to showcase the stories, memories and spirit of North Shields as part of the town’s...

MUST READ

R Place

Fancy a sweet treat? Visit bustling local coffeeshop and bakehouse R...

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At R Place, friendship brewed the beginnings of a cosy, creative coffee haven in North Shields. Founders Ray and our very own Simmie blended their passions—coffee, food, and community—to create a warm, dog-friendly spot where everyone’s welcome, from locals to gerbils! Known for indulgent treats like their viral Baklava Cheesecake and whimsical Unicorn Hot Chocolate, they also host vibrant workshops and champion local makers. r place is more than a café—it’s a community hub where kindness, creativity, and great coffee come together.
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