History & Heritage

From a backyard canoe to crafting lifeboats at a historic boatyard, Peter Irving’s journey is a testament to passion and skill rooted deep in North Shields’ maritime heritage. Discover how a young apprentice’s determination and craftsmanship helped shape some of the region’s finest vessels—and what comes next in his incredible story. Don’t miss Part Two in the June issue!

Our Town by Roslyn Renwick honours North Shields’ enduring spirit, celebrating its history, people, and everyday life. Through vivid images of fishing roots and daily rituals, the poem asserts that the town’s streets are more than places—they are living memories shaped by community pride and resilience.

Is North Shields just the town centre and Fish Quay? Or does it stretch as far as Marden, New York, or even Shiremoor? Ask a local and you’ll get a passionate answer—though not always the same one. From council wards and constituency maps to postcode databases and Google boundaries, everyone seems to draw the lines a little differently. But maybe the true definition of North Shields isn’t found on a map at all. Maybe it’s cultural, emotional—even personal. After all, if it feels like home, who’s to say it isn’t?