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Digital Heritage

Sharing the story of the North Shields Fish Quay and the North Tyneside community

During the first coronavirus lockdown in 2020, Old Low Light volunteers were keen that people could still enjoy finding out about the local history, heritage, culture and natural environment of North Shields and its Fish Quay.

They began recording short videos which they posted on social media and YouTube. Over the difficult year that followed, with restrictions and further lockdowns, this collection continued to grow, covering a range of topics from local characters of note and the part they played in the area’s history, heritage and culture, to local wildlife as well as the history of the Old Low Light and its many achievements as a heritage centre.

The videos are now featured in a new display area in the Heritage Gallery and can also be seen on the Old Low Light Heritage Centre’s Facebook page or by searching for the Heritage Centre on YouTube.

A special thanks to volunteer, David Hirst, whose editing expertise made many of these videos possible.

A Short History of The Old Low Light, North Shields

An illustrated talk about the history of The Old Low Light in North Shields, which dates back to at least 1727 and is the oldest building on the North Shields Fish Quay. The Old Low Light is now a Heritage Centre and celebrated the fifth anniversary of its opening in 2020.

Sir James Knott - shipowner, entrepreneur, philanthropist

Local historian and Old Low Light Heritage Centre volunteer, Mike Coates, talks about the life and times of Sir James Knott – North East ship owner, entrepreneur and philanthropist.

A short history of the Sir James Knott Memorial Flats

Old Low Light Heritage Centre volunteer, Syd Cairns, shares his interest in the story behind the building of the Sir James Knott Memorial Flats, which have stood overlooking the River Tyne near North Shields since before World War Two.

Norah Balls: A Life Well Led

Old Low Light Heritage Centre Trustee, Nina Brown, tells the story of Norah Balls (1886-1980) a remarkable daughter of North Shields. Norah was a staunch supporter of the suffragette movement and an active member of the Women’s Social and Political Union.

'Breaking Chains: North Shields and Slavery' exhibition

Old Low Light Heritage Centre Trustee, Nina Brown, talks about the award-winning exhibition ‘Breaking Chains: North Shields & Slavery’ held at the Heritage Centre in 2019-2020.

John Foster Spence: The 'Grand Old Man of Shields'

As a follow-up to the award-winning ‘Breaking Chains: North Shields and Slavery’ exhibition held at the Old Low Light Heritage Centre in 2019, OLL volunteer Mike Coates shares his research into the life and times of abolitionist John Foster Spence (1818-1901).

Peter Burns: The Vanished World of the Tyne Shipyards Part 1

A walk through the exhibition of paintings and drawings by shipyard artist, Peter Burns. Peter worked as a plater at the Swan Hunter Shipyard on the River Tyne, where he had first hand opportunity to study his fellow shipyard workers at their various trades.

Peter Burns: Vanished World of The Tyne Shipyards 2

A look around the exhibition of paintings and drawings by shipyard artist Peter Burns which was held at the Old Low Light Heritage Centre, North Shields in 2019

Peter Burns: The Vanished World of the Tyne Shipyards 3

Part 3 of a tour round the exhibition of paintings and drawings by shipyard painter Peter Burns. Until his retirement Peter was employed as a plater at the Swan Hunter shipyard on the Tyne. He had a unique opportunity to draw his fellow shipyard workers and record some of the trades and tools of the yards. This retrospective exhibition was held at The Old Low Light Heritage Centre, North Shields in 2019.

Peter Burns: Vanished World of the Tyne Shipyards 4

Part 4 of a walk round the exhibition of paintings and drawings by shipyard artist Peter Burns. Until his retirement, Peter was employed as a plater in the Swan Hunter shipyard on the Tyne and was uniquely placed to sketch his fellow shipyard workers at work and play.

A virtual Bird Walk along the Tyne with David Hirst

Volunteer David Hirst takes a virtual bird walk along the River Tyne.

The Truth aboot the Waal by Jack Davitt

Dave Young, reads the poem “The Truth Aboot The Waal” by the Tyneside shipyard poet Jack Davitt. Born in 1924 Jack Davitt (who wrote under the pen-name of ‘Ripyard Cuddling’) worked as a welder in the Swan Hunter’s Wallsend Shipyard.

Illustrations by Peter Burns, Ronald Embleton, Peter Dunn and Crawford Crowquill

'The Bulbous Bow' by Jack Davitt

Dave Young, reads the poem ‘The Bulbous Bow’ by the Tyneside shipyard poet Jack Davitt. Born in 1924 Jack Davitt (who wrote under the pen-name of ‘Ripyard Cuddling’) worked as a welder in the Swan Hunter’s Wallsend Shipyard.

Illustrations by Peter Patrick Burns and photos by David Hirst

Swan Hunter's Robot Welder by Jack Davitt

This is the hilarious story of what might have happened if the bosses at the Swan Hunter shipyard had decided to bring in a robo-welder! Born in 1924, Jack Davitt worked as a welder in the Swan Hunter’s Wallsend Shipyard. He became known as the poet of the Tyneside shipyards and he wrote under the pen-name of ‘Ripyard Cuddling’.

The illustrations in this presentation are all the work of Peter Patrick Burns.

'A Day of Rest' by Jack Davitt

Dave Young, reads the poem ‘The Day of Rest’ by the Tyneside shipyard poet Jack Davitt. Born in 1924 Jack Davitt (who wrote under the pen-name of ‘Ripyard Cuddling’) worked as a welder in the Swan Hunter’s Wallsend Shipyard.

Illustrations by Peter Burns

John Dobson 1 - The Churches of North Shields

Old Low Light Heritage Centre volunteer and retired architect, Stuart Barlow, talks about the houses of North Shields that were designed by famous North East architect, John Dobson (1787-1865).
This is the first in a series of videos in which Stuart talks about the buildings designed by John Dobson in the North Shields and Tynemouth area.

John Dobson 2 - Houses designed by Dobson in North Shields

This is the second in a series of videos in which Stuart talks about the buildings designed by John Dobson in the North Shields and Tynemouth area.

John Dobson 3 - Dobson's work in Tynemouth

This is the third in a series of videos in which Stuart talks about the work of John Dobson in the North Shields and Tynemouth area.

John Dobson 4 - Cullercoats

Part 4 of a series of short talks by Old Low Light Heritage Centre volunteer and Trustee Stuart Barlow. Stuart explores the work carried out in North Shields, Tynemouth and Cullercoats by 19th Century architect John Dobson.

A brief history of Lifeboats on the Tyne

In this slideshow, Martin Kenny gives an overview of the history of Lifeboats on the River Tyne.
As a retired RNLI coxswain (1986-2002) and a Master Mariner, Martin is uniquely placed to share his knowledge and experiences of the history of lifeboats from 1789 to the present day.

Import/Export: Shipping Traffic on the Tyne

In this video slideshow Old Low Light Heritage Centre volunteer, Martin Kenny, talks about the the different ship types visiting the River Tyne. Martin also discusses some of the challenges associated with the various cargoes and ship design.
Photos courtesy of Martin Kenny, David Hirst and Andrew Clayton

More Shipping On The Tyne' with Martin Kenny

In this video slideshow Old Low Light Heritage Centre volunteer Martin Kenny talks about more of the different ship types that visit the River Tyne.
Martin is a former coxswain of the Tynemouth RNLI Lifeboat and Master Mariner.

Rediscovering Rowland

In this presentation Old Low Light member, Kristine Grey, talks about the North Shields-born philanthropist Rowland Lishman (1877-1958) and his many contributions to the community of North Tyneside.

UNCLE JACK - a short story by Tom Hadaway and read by Dave Young

The ‘Views from the Happy Hunting Ground’ exhibition held at The Old Low Light Heritage Centre in 2017 featured several events to celebrate the work of North Shields-born playwright, Tom Hadaway (1923-2005).

Romancing the Stone: The Search for Tynemouth Dock

In his latest ‘Tale from the Tyne’ for The Old Low Light Heritage Centre, local historian, Mike Scott, tells us about the unfulfilled plans for the Low Lights or Tynemouth Dock.

The Story of Christ Church, North Shields: Parish Registers and Records

In this second talk looking at the History of Christ Church, Mike Scott, is our expert guide to some of the highlights of the Parish Registers and Records.

A History of Christ Church, North Shields by Mike Scott

A History of Christ Church, North Shields by Mike Scott (Old Low Light Heritage Centre volunteer, Archivist at Christ Church & author of The History of Christ Church North Shields).

The Story of John Rook's 1827 Plan of North Shields and Tynemouth

Local historian and Old Low Light Heritage Centre volunteer, Mike Scott, shares his knowledge of the rare and beautiful map of North Shields and Tynemouth. The map was created by surveyors John Rook & Sons of North Shields, engraved by William Pybus of Newcastle, and published in 1827.

The Pow Burn, North Shields - A Talk by Mike Coates

In this talk for the Old Low Light Heritage Centre, local historian Mike Coates shares his research into the history and influence of the Pow Burn on the development of North Shields.

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