Community

By Jake Rusby While funerals are supposed to mark the end of someone’s journey on Earth, for Rachael Meyer they have helped turn the...

By Jake Rusby For Alona Mochulska, North Shields has provided something almost all of us take granted:  safety.  Alona left her home, a small town in...

By Jake Rusby For friends Jake Rusby and Dave Hemming, a long-standing joke has somehow become a reality.  The two North Shields residents have launched a...

Being a creative is such a big part of who I am , back in 2022 I graduated Leeds Arts University with a BA...

Following her earlier musing on the neighbourly etiquette of waving, Mim Robson has been hearing from readers far and wide, each with their own thoughts on the subtle art of the wave. Messages touched on everything from unspoken social rules to curious differences in how people choose to greet, depending on mood, setting, or even clothing. Together, the replies paint a picture of how something as simple as a raised hand can open up a whole world of questions about connection, confidence, and the tiny decisions that shape our daily interactions.

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.

A quiet love letter to trees, this reflective essay explores why they captivate us so deeply. From childhood shelter and shared memories to fallen giants and changing landscapes, trees become markers of time, place and self. As familiar trunks topple and iconic trees are lost, the author reflects on grief, continuity and renewal—reminding us that trees are more than scenery. They are companions, storytellers and living links between past, present and what still grows.

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.

From punk rebellion to timeless elegance, Barry Hutchings’ lifelong love affair with hats is about far more than fashion. In a hat-shy modern world, he champions confidence, craftsmanship and old-world etiquette, mourning the decline of tipped brims and celebrated styles. From berets to Stetsons, Barry’s collection tells cultural stories—and fuels his Hat Club mission to revive individuality, tradition and the simple joy of wearing your identity proudly under a well-chaped brim.

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.