People

Sirkka-Liisa Roberts MBE, more well known as Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen, is a celebrated Finnish-born photographer and founder member of the Amber Film & Photography Collective....

Photo credit: Adam Kennedy It doesn’t feel like almost two years since I first sat down with Hels Pattison at The Exchange in December 2024,...

Photographs by Christopher Owens

He may be a celebrated musician playing regular gigs at local hotspots like the Engine Room and The Exchange, but when we sat down at Arbor Seven Cafe with Nev Clay, the first thing he wanted to set straight was his connection to North Shields.

Listening back to my interview with musician and writer Julie Grant, a popular nineties song comes to mind; ‘Tubthumping’ by Chumbawamba, famous for its rousing refrain: ‘I get knocked down / But I get up again / You’re never gonna keep me down.’ The professional life of Julie Grant is less a career and more a sustained act of insurgency. From a fractured family start in North Shields, where she felt like an uninvited guest, to a high-speed emergence onto the national music scene, and later, infiltrating the ranks of television’s national institutions, Grant has consistently operated on her own terms. She is the epitome of the 'gatecrasher'- a term that perfectly suits her upcoming memoir - entering elite, often London-centric, creative spaces without shedding her integrity or her regional roots.

Step inside the Cullercoats home of poet, playwright and Iron Press founder Peter Mortimer and you enter a world of myth, manuscripts and fearless imagination. In this candid interview, he reflects on five decades of radical writing, from “Broke Through Britain” to time spent in Shatila refugee camp, and his deep ties to North Shields. Thoughtful, witty and still chasing new challenges, Mortimer proves creativity has no finishing line.

Dive into our exclusive interview with Simon Donald, the irreverent force behind Viz and infamous characters like Sid the Sexist. From launching a 12-page cult comic in a Newcastle bedroom to selling a million copies an issue, Simon reflects on family, fame and life beyond Viz. With tales of rock stars, stand-up and North Shields roots, this is the story of the man far beyond ‘Him off the Viz.’

Exclusive interview with Viz co-founder Simon Donald on comedy, cartoons and his deep connection to North Shields as the town celebrates 800 years.

Exclusive interview | Aaron Duff of Hector Gannet on North Shields 800, his grandad’s fishing past, local music roots & why Shields will always be home.

As North Shields marks its 800th year, a full calendar of celebrations brings the town’s rich heritage and vibrant culture to life. Musician Liam Fender, a proud local and rising talent, reflects on his roots, the town’s evolving music scene, and the importance of community. With parades, exhibitions, and heartfelt performances, NS800 isn't just a birthday—it's a moment of reflection, pride, and hope for the future of this resilient coastal town.