The winning logo design for the North Shields 800 celebrations in 2025 has been announced after a public poll attracted more than 1,100 votes.
People were asked to choose their favourite from three options that celebrate the town’s past, present and future, including its proud maritime heritage and its growing reputation as a vibrant arts and culture destination.
Option A featured a fishing boat, Option B a wave design, and Option C featured a fish.
The winner was Option A the fishing boat design taking 54% of the public vote, with more than 1,100 votes cast. Option B got 12% of the vote and Option C got 34%.
An online poll ran on North Tyneside Council’s new digital engagement website, with paper voting slips available in North Shields Community Hub and Library, for a three-week period in August and September 2024.
The winning logo will feature on the new North Shields 800 website, social media accounts, marketing materials and events posters, and be shared with funders and partners so they can proudly display their support.
A call for projects for North Shields 800 has now closed and a panel will consider the applications during October 2024. A Creative Director has been appointed to lead the celebrations, Dominic Smith from the Counterculture Partnership.
North Shields 800 will feature a calendar of exciting events throughout 2025. These include a spectacular parade of sail and a blessing of the fishing fleet, a parade along the Fish Quay, exhibitions, street art, heritage projects and performing arts.
North Shields was founded in 1225 as a village of simple huts called shiels on what is now the Fish Quay. The fishing port served Tynemouth Priory and later grew into a thriving harbour and town.
North Shields 800 is a community effort, with the people of the town working together to host a year of celebrations for its 800th anniversary.
It is being organised by the community-led North Shields 800 Committee which has been meeting since mid-2023, chaired by Tynemouth MP Sir Alan Campbell. Its members include heritage groups, the fishing industry, the arts and cultural sector, charities, churches, community groups, local venues and businesses.
The celebrations coincide with an ambitious regeneration programme for North Shields and the Fish Quay. At the same time, North Shields Cultural Quarter is helping the creative economy grow to regenerate the town centre, with support from North East Combined Authority.
Chair of the North Shields 800 Committee Sir Alan Campbell MP said: “It is fantastic to see that there have been more than 1,100 votes from people keen to have their say in choosing the North Shields 800 logo.
“It just goes to show the amount of enthusiasm people in the town have for these celebrations. It will be wonderful to see this winning design appearing all over North Shields, on posters and printed materials, at events, in businesses, as well as online and on social media.
“Using this logo will be a way for our partners, supporters and those whose project applications are successful to show they are part of North Shields 800. 2025 will be a year that brings communities together, keeps the town’s heritage alive and inspires local pride.”
Elected Mayor of North Tyneside Dame Norma Redfearn DBE said: “This winning logo is a brilliant reflection of what makes North Shields so special. It will be seen by tens of thousands of people as the exciting programme of North Shields 800 events attracts visitors and raises the profile of the town.
“All of these three designs took their inspiration from the proud maritime heritage of North Shields and they all looked superb. I would like to thank everyone who took the time to vote for their favourite online or in North Shields Library.”
North Shields 800 Creative Director Dominic Smith said: “The team at Counterculture are thrilled with the winning logo design for the anniversary celebration. It beautifully reflects the community’s spirit and the project's journey.”
The final result with online and paper votes combined was: 1,102 votes cast with 601 for Option A, 127 for Option B and 374 for Option C.
Option C featuring a fish was a voluntary contribution by North Shields graphic designer Kimberley Creative. The two other designs were created by the graphic design team at North Tyneside Council.