Volunteers at North Shields Old Low Light Heritage Centre are seeking help with an exhibition about women’s work on the Fish Quay, past and present.

They want to hear from people who have stories about women who have worked on or who are currently working in the fishing, maritime and related industries and they are also seeking help to create a shoal of knitted herring.

Nina Brown, a volunteer and trustee at the heritage centre, said: “North Shields was a busy port for herring boats and we already have lots of information about the herring girls who followed the fleet down the east coast from northern Scotland, to clean and cure the catch. These women spent time in North Shields every year and local women worked alongside them and in other parts of the fishing industry.

“We would love to hear from anyone with stories about these women and about women who are working in the fishing and maritime industries today.”

The exhibition will include a shoal of knitted herring and the volunteers are also looking for people who can contribute to this. They can provide a pattern and have some wool if necessary.

Nina added: “Although we remain closed and don’t know when we will re-open, or indeed when this exhibition will take place, we are keen to have new material in our galleries for when we can welcome visitors back to the Old Low Light.”

 

 

People with stories to tell or who would like to knit a herring, should email info@oldlowlight.co.uk