Janis Blower, a writer and retired award-winning South Shields journalist, is to give a talk across the river at the Old Low Light Heritage Centre, North Shields Fish Quay.

In her talk, ‘Our Friends on the North Side’, on Saturday 14 January 2023 at 11am, she will take a light-hearted look at the relationship between the two harbour towns over the centuries.

She said: “It’s my contention there’s more unites us than divides us.”

Admission is £4pp (Old Low Light members free) and can be booked online here.

Janis, who worked on the Shields Gazette for more than 40 years was a highly respected journalist and when she retired in 2015 was described by her editor as a “true ambassador” for the paper and a “voice of authority” on the history of its patch. (HoldtheFrontPage.co.uk)

She continues to speak at local groups and in 2022 received a top cultural award when she became an Honorary Fellow The Customs House Academy.

Old Low Light centre director, Guy Moody, said: “We are delighted to welcome Janis back to the heritage centre. She gave a talk here in our early days and it was extremely well received. Few people have her insight into the local history of the area and we very much look forward to hearing ‘Our Friends on the North Side’.