Today, North Shields 800 is announcing a £132,160 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to celebrate and conserve the town’s rich past, as it marks its historic 800th anniversary.
In 2025 it is 800 years since a small village made up of simple huts called shiels was founded on the north bank of the River Tyne where North Shields Fish Quay stands today. Created as a small fishing port to serve Tynemouth Priory, it grew into the thriving harbour town of North Shields.
North Shields 800 is a wide-ranging programme of activities, events, exhibitions and performances that celebrates the town’s past, present and future.
The Heritage Fund grant is supporting 10 exciting projects that will share and safeguard the maritime, industrial, railway and arts heritage of North Shields. It has been awarded to the Linskill and North Tyneside Community Development Trust which will manage the funds on behalf of North Shields 800.
The 10 projects will educate and inspire younger generations, capturing traditional songs, music and stories, documenting the lives of local people through the past 800 years, and celebrating some of the town’s oldest buildings, such as the Old Low Light on the Fish Quay. These projects will help preserve the history of North Shields for future generations at a time when traditional industries and pastimes are at risk of dying out.
North Shields 800 has brought together 50 local organisations to help plan and develop the celebrations, making sure the town’s many vibrant and diverse communities, school children and people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities are included. Up to 50 volunteering opportunities are being created, the majority of activities are free or at low-cost and digital resources are available online.
Projects supported by the Heritage Fund grant with thanks to National Lottery players include:
North Shields Voices - Memories and voices of residents will be captured by volunteers via social media and pop-up exhibitions in empty shops and shared.
The Old Low Light - Using volunteers this important heritage centre will create changing exhibitions telling the story of North Shields fishermen, education and famous women.
Deeds, Words, Danger - 20 young people from schools as well as women's groups will take part in a theatrical performance celebrating the life of the suffragette Norah Balls.
North Shields Textile Map – Bringing communities together to learn more about notable landmarks including Northumberland Square, the Fish Quay and Meadow Well.
800 Years of Harmony - A film documentary showcasing the town's famous musicians including Sam and Liam Fender, Neil Tennant and Hilton Valentine.
Threads of Time - A humorous VIZ publication and exhibition led by Globe Gallery to reach non-traditional heritage audiences.
North Shields by Rail – An exhibition documenting the importance of the railways to the development of the town and its industries.
Nile Street Celebrations – Bringing businesses and communities together to celebrate Nile Street while looking at the evolution of North Shields town centre.
I Love North Shields – A celebratory magazine capturing the North Shields 800 anniversary.
Community grants scheme - Supporting local community groups and organisations to provide neighbourhood and estate-based activities and events, a minimum of 20 organisations will be allocated grants up to £1,000.
More information about all the North Shields 800 events, projects and activities can be found at www.northshields800.com, or follow @northshields800 on Facebook and Instagram.
Simeon Ripley, Chief Executive of the Linskill and North Tyneside Community Development Trust said: “As an active partner in the North Shields 800th Anniversary Committee, Linskill and North Tyneside Community Development Trust is delighted that The National Lottery Heritage Fund has provided a generous grant to support the delivery of an exciting programme of heritage-focused celebratory activities and events this year.
“These will provide local people of all ages with the opportunity to learn about different aspects of their town’s fascinating history and accomplishments. They will undoubtedly add to the range and quality of the wider programme of celebrations on offer across North Shields during this very important year.”
Helen Featherstone, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “800 years of heritage means that North Shields has a lot of history to celebrate! We’re delighted that thanks to money raised by National Lottery players we can support this programme of events that will delve into the varied heritage of North Shields and allow its communities to explore and uncover the fascinating stories that have shaped the town.”
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 includes a spectacular parade of boats 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.
About The National Lottery Heritage Fund
Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. That’s why as the largest funder for the UK’s heritage we are dedicated to supporting projects that connect people and communities to heritage, as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past.
Over the next 10 years, we aim to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to make a decisive difference for people, places and communities.
Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter/X, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLottery #HeritageFund