YOUR CART
- No products in the cart.
Subtotal:
£0.00
BEST SELLING PRODUCTS
Pedal Paws: Gib the Pup and David’s Biking Adventures
In North Tyneside, amidst the sea breeze and cheerful beachgoers, a unique sight captures attention: a dog comfortably riding on a cyclist's back. Meet...
Local Hero: Dot the Lollipop
By Caroline Oswald Dorothy Ann Thompson MBE, who sadly passed away last month, was better known as, ‘Dot the Lollipop’, even to friends and family. The...
The man behind the master musicians: Ernie Scott
From surviving a wartime bombing as a baby to welcoming world-class musicians into North Shields pubs and churches, Ernie Scott’s story is one of quiet resilience and extraordinary dedication. Honoured by the Queen and cherished by his community, his lifelong commitment to classical music has brought the world to Tyneside — and left an indelible mark on the town he calls home.
Remembering how one Shields family were at the heart of a desperate RNLI rescue mission
Photographs on a family wall sparked Dorothy Brownlee’s lifelong memory of one of the RNLI’s greatest missions – when Tynemouth’s lifeboat battled a raging storm to rescue 50 people from the wrecked hospital ship Rohilla in 1914. As the RNLI marks its bicentenary, Dorothy now shares the remarkable story of her grandfather and great-uncle’s courage, bringing a dramatic chapter of local and national history back into the light.
Leslie Forman: Mental health, mosaics, and an olive branch
Men’s mental health is too often pushed aside — but North Shields creative Leslie Forman is helping to change that narrative. Through candid conversation, community support and the healing power of art, Lez has transformed personal loss and struggle into purpose. From founding men’s mental health groups to using mosaic-making as a form of therapy, his journey is one of resilience, honesty and a deep-rooted love for his hometown.
The Engine Room: all hands on deck
Tucked away beneath a coffee shop on Tanners Bank is a small venue with a big heart — and an outsized impact on North Shields’ cultural life. The Engine Room isn’t just a bar or a place to catch a gig; it’s the result of one man’s lifelong devotion to live music, risk-taking, and community. From punk gigs in the late ’70s to promoting sold-out shows and finally opening his own venue against the odds, Mark Elliott’s story is woven into every note played there. This is the story of how passion, persistence and a love of loud guitars helped create one of the North East’s most cherished independent music spaces.
Part Two: North Shields resident built a 13-foot wooden sailing boat in his attic
Only a few decades ago shipyards lined the Tyne and regularly blocked views at the end of North Shields streets. Here, Caroline Oswald recounts...
Local Hero: Tish Murtha
North Shields’ own Tish Murtha turned her camera on the world she knew best, capturing working-class life with unflinching honesty and heart. From the streets of Newcastle to iconic series like Elswick Kids, her photos reveal resilience, humour, and stories often overlooked. Discover why this local hero’s work continues to inspire, decades after she first picked up a camera.
Earl John Charlton: “It doesn’t cost anything to acknowledge a homeless person – but it makes a big difference”
After 16 years living rough on the streets of London, Earl John Charlton has turned his life around—and is now using his experience to help others. Now based in North Shields, Earl is a support worker and the inspiration behind the powerful new film Someone’s Daughter, Someone’s Son. With raw honesty and a big heart, Earl shares his story of recovery, resilience, and hope—and his vision to help end homelessness for good.
Part One: How a North Shields resident built a 13-foot wooden sailing boat in his attic
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!
