Contributors
I’m Simone, also known as Simmie, and I’ve recently relocated to North Shields with my husband, Peter, and our beloved dog, Ruby. Since November, we’ve been settling into our new home, and it’s been quite the journey. My background is a mix of Dutch from my mum’s side and Stockton-on-Tees from my dad’s.
I spent my early years in the Netherlands, where fate led me to meet my husband while he was working on-site in Scheveningen, my home town. Fast forward 20 years, and here we are in North Shields after a decade in France renovating old farms. After a year of travelling around Spain in a camper, living among the hippies, we felt it was time to reconnect with family.
My father-in-law, a true local, has shared some incredible stories about growing up in North Shields. They’ve been both tough and heartwarming. Getting involved in the creative scene here has been amazing, especially attending group meetings. North Shields is like a hub of creativity, I’ve met some amazing people who I now call friends.
My husband isn’t big on social media, so he relies on me for the inside scoop on what’s happening. It sometimes makes me feel more local than I actually am! But I’m hopeful that will change once we get our publication in print, ensuring everyone in North Shields has access to what’s going on in their town. There’s so much to share—amazing projects, events like the North Shields 800 celebrations, and plenty of support available. But finding information isn’t always easy, and that’s where we come in.
This newspaper isn’t about me; it’s about all of us, the people of North Shields. It’s about sharing stories that fill us with pride and positivity, sharing knowledge, and helping each other thrive.
I want to extend a huge shout out to the people of North Shields and all the contributors who have created this first issue. In the short time I’ve been here, the warmth and kindness of this community have blown me away. I’m proud to call North Shields home, and I look forward to working together on our community newspaper.
Let’s create some magic together!
Simmie Harper X
Instagram: @ilovenorthshields
