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You’ve probably never stopped to wonder who invented the humble kipper — but what if the answer lay right here in North Shields? This fascinating slice of local history uncovers the story of John Woodger, a 19th-century fish curer whose bold claim put our town at the heart of Britain’s kippering tradition. From a smoky accident in Seahouses to a thriving business supplying London, Woodger’s tale blends innovation, marketing flair and the gritty world of smokehouses by the Fish Quay. But his story doesn’t end there. After his death, a grand memorial was slowly swallowed by time — and a holly bush — until a recent family search brought his resting place, and his legacy, back into the light. Curious? Dive into the full article to discover how a forgotten grave and a smoky mistake shaped a quirky chapter of North Shields’ past.