We were delighted to welcome Alan Campbell MP to the Old Low Light Heritage Centre today (6 October 2021).

Alan had come to visit the Seafit Health and 999 Services Event, coordinated by the North Shields Fishermen’s Mission, set up outside the centre.

After meeting representatives from the Mission and agencies involved in the event, he called into the centre and spent an hour and a half in the heritage gallery, viewing our exhibition “That’s Women’s Work”.

During his visit he met and talked to retired trawler skipper, Sheila Hirsch, whose story is part of the exhibition, and retired fisherman, Brian Chambers.

Alan Campbell said: “It’s been great to visit the Old Low Light, particularly to see the “That’s Women’s Work” exhibition. I was very pleased to meet Sheila Hirsch, one of the few female trawler skippers and to hear her remarkable story.

“These have been difficult times for our community and it’s good to see the Old Low Light back up and running.”

He added: “North Shields people have a pride in their community and where they come from which is still evident by their involvement in the heritage centre and this exhibition.”