Whats Inside? Letter of the Editor
Hello North Shields!
After what turned out to be an incredible 800th anniversary year, some would think we’d retreat over the winter months for some rest and recuperation. But this is North Shields we’re talking about – out in all weathers, up for anything. And so the town has begun its 801st year with a bang by throwing its collective hat in the ring for Town of Culture 2028! (Cue John The Hat, Paul The Hat, Johnny Blue Hat and all the other locals with hat-related names to step up to help).
The bid for Town of Culture centres around what makes our town distinctive – our identity, sense of people and place, and how culture reflects lived experience. The title and the funding that would come with it is all about making culture accessible, inclusive and rooted in the community. One thing is for sure, however far we get with the bid – we’re doing it already. For the past two years, I Love North Shields has documented our everyday cultural history, past and present. This issue is no exception, illustrating the deep-rooted creativity and community spirit that has always existed among our townsfolk.
In ‘The Lost Painters of North Shields’, Sue Wilkinson reports how a chance discovery at an antiques market uncovered the story of a whole movement of working-class artists, inspired by their local surroundings and coming together for mutual support and friendship. We also learn about the painter Tom Manson, who inspired his nephew, local mosaic artist Leslie Forman, to connect to the local community through his work today. Our striking cover image comes courtesy of painter Pamela Ormston, who highlights the extraordinary in everyday North Shields. The Amber Film & Photography Collective also documented the beauty of ordinary North East life for over 50 years. Their archives are now entrusted to AmberSide, and we are honoured to be collaborating with them to connect the public with their work through the magazine, hopefully prompting memories and stories along the way. In this issue we also see how public art projects have enhanced quiet corners of the town such as The Triangle and learn how Richard O’Brien’s ‘Poems on Walls’ initiative is allowing poets and creatives public spaces around town on which to display their work.
As well as celebrating World Poetry Day this month, we are marking International Women’s Day with Rachel Chapman’s account of a walking trail devised by local author Pat Stevens. The walk follows the locations of commemorative plaques dedicated to four remarkable women, all with significant historic achievements. More of the town’s fascinating history is revealed by David Scholey, who shares how a recent discovery in a Cullercoats garden connects to the foundation of the North Shields Theatre and the man who shaped the town as we know it today. Geoff Holland takes us on a nostalgic walk around the banks and stairs of the Fish Quay and Rachel Chapman gives us further insight into the history of North Tyneside Register Office. Mark Tavender shares some music history by telling the intriguing life story of North Shields musician, Julie Grant, who is promoting her new album with a gig at The Engine Room on 5th April. Carol Davison writes how Manchester indie singer Seb Lowe and his band found North Shields such an attractive location to shoot their latest music video. In another interview, Carol outlines how young North East filmmaker Asia Cakala tackles the sensitive topic of herpes in her new production, ‘Deal Breakers’.
We’ve been inundated with nominations for local heroes – it was so hard to choose who to feature. In addition to these admirable folk, other articles highlight the good deeds of others, such as the volunteers with North Shields Eats at Hawkey’s Lane Methodist Church, who gave writer Noreen Rees a very warm welcome whilst providing free food to those in need. Someone who knows this feeling all too well is Earl John Charlton, who told writer Diane Wailes about surviving life on the streets and the valuable work he now does. We also pay tribute to another much admired local, Syd Ahomet, sadly no longer with us but still in the thoughts of many. We learn about local resident Régine’s repeated trips to The Gambia to help local school children and we celebrate the free Easter egg hunt in Northumberland Park that Barry’s Fruit and Veg has generously organised for Easter Sunday.
The winter saw successful collaborations and community projects such as the Beacon Centre pop-up shop and the ILNS Photowalk Three, where we were treated to the most beautiful sunrise. This spring we are looking forward to our next Photowalk on 8th March, when we will get the Shields Ferry ‘owa the watta’ and view the town from a different perspective as the sun sets over South Shields. We’ll be going back in time with our Vintage Market at the Salt Market Social on 26th April before being propelled into the future with a special ‘Next Gen’ issue of the magazine made by the young people of North Shields. Exciting times ahead, whatever the future brings!
Buy Your Copy Here
PRE-ORDER ILNS SPRING Issue — Town of Culture 2028
Our Spring Issue is almost here — and it’s packed with local news, history and community spirit as North Shields pushes forward with its Town of Culture 2028 bid.
Inside:
• The Lost Painters of North Shields
• A special collaboration with AmberSide archives
• Music, film and local creative voices
• Hidden town history and public art
• Our latest Local Heroes
• ILNS projects, photowalks and what’s coming next
This is a snapshot of North Shields in motion.
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