In partnership with North Shields 800 & I Love North Shields
This year, as we celebrate 800 years of North Shields, we’re inviting you to help create something truly meaningful — a lasting memorial in Northumberland Park on behalf of one of our own: Hilton Valentine, legendary guitarist of The Animals.
His iconic riff on “The House of the Rising Sun” changed the sound of music forever.
But his heart never left home.
Hilton grew up in North Shields, playing in the streets and wandering the winding paths of Northumberland Park. Before the world knew his name, this town shaped the man who helped shape rock and roll.
- The Animals helped launch the British Invasion of the 1960s being the first English band to reach #1 in the U.S. after The Beatles.
- Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 and Hollywood’s Rock Walk of Fame in 2001
- “The House of the Rising Sun” was ranked *#123 on Rolling Stone’s Greatest Songs of All Time and continues to appear in various lists for the greatest Rock & Roll riffs of all times
- Their sound influenced legends across generations
- Wrote the very moving song, River Tyne, honouring his beloved home town
Now, his wife Germaine Valentine is leading a heartfelt campaign to install a North Shields 800 commemorative bench in the park he loved most. A quiet place. A musical legacy. A love story that lives on.
“There’s no big story here. he just loved North Shields. I want to honour the town and my husband’s memory. Hilton had fond childhood memories of Northumberland Park.” – Germaine
Germaine has partnered with North Shields 800 to create a limited run of NS800 T-shirts, featuring the official anniversary logo. And with the help of I Love North Shields, we’re spreading the word.
T-shirts are just £20. All profits go directly toward the North Shields 800 commemorative bench.
Your purchase is more than a T-shirt.
It’s a tribute to love.
It’s a gift back to the town we all call home.
???? Order now:
ilovenorthshields@outlook.com
???? Local pick-up available in North Shields – full details when you order.
Let’s build something together — for Hilton, for Germaine, and for North Shields. A bench may be simple, but the meaning behind it will last for generations.
Please share this post and help us spread the word.
Every shirt sold brings us closer to honouring a man who gave the world music — and never forgot where he came from.
