The North Shields 800 website www.northshields800.com is live, featuring dozens of exciting events and projects, history resources and information about the town’s 800th anniversary celebrations during 2025.
A year-long programme of events and activities is planned, appealing to a wide range of audiences to celebrate North Shields’ past, present and future.
The programme reflects the town’s maritime, mining, railway and industrial heritage as well as its reputation as a vibrant destination for arts and culture and a thriving location for business.
This follows a tremendous response to a public call for project ideas, with more than 60 separate proposals sent in. These included a wide range of arts and heritage projects, put forward by both established groups and new creative talent.
Plans are in progress for community events, art installations, exhibitions, music performances, publications, podcasts, photography and film. There will be a spectacular regatta and a blessing of the fishing fleet, a parade along the Fish Quay, exhibitions, street art murals and heritage projects.
Social media accounts have been set up to keep people informed – follow @northshields800 on Facebook and Instagram.
The accounts feature a Fact of the Day, one for every day of 2025. A mix of light-hearted and deadly serious facts about the history of the town, researched by local historians Alan Fidler, Dave Young and Rachel Chapman.
Chair of the North Shields 800 Committee Sir Alan Campbell MP said: “There is a great deal of pride, passion and creativity behind the North Shields 800 projects.
“I am looking forward to seeing them bring communities together, raise the profile of the town and create a lasting legacy for the 800th anniversary celebrations.
“North Shields is a town of great character, energy and heritage and that is reflected in this diverse programme of projects and events.”
Elected Mayor of North Tyneside Dame Norma Redfearn DBE said: “The people of North Shields have come up with some incredible ways to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the founding of the town. This exciting calendar of events will help attract visitors, support local businesses, and inspire pride in the town and its unique identity. 2025 is going to be a great year for North Shields.”
North Shields 800 Creative Director Dominic Smith said: “Working alongside the passionate individuals who are delivering these inspiring and thoughtful projects is a privilege. I feel very lucky to be a part of this vibrant community and its 800th anniversary celebrations. It is a genuine honour.”
Image caption: The North Shields 800 website, by North Shields graphic designer Kimberley Creative.
About North Shields 800, celebrating North Shields past, present and future:
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.
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.
A programme of events has been selected to appeal to a wide range of audiences and to celebrate North Shields’ maritime, mining, railway and industrial heritage as well as its reputation as a vibrant destination for arts and culture and a thriving location for business.
It will include a spectacular regatta and a blessing of the fishing fleet, a parade along the Fish Quay, exhibitions, street art murals, heritage projects, community events and creative collaborations. It will bring performing arts to the streets, stage events at local venues and capture and record memories of the town in years gone by.
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, with support from North East Combined Authority.