What’s On

'North Shields, 800 years in the making’ takes visitors on a journey from the town’s humble beginnings with a small settlement of shiels – fishermen’s huts – at the mouth of the Pow Burn where the fish quay is today, through wars and conflict, innovation and prosperity, through to growth and development.

£5 per person / members free

A new speaker to the Old Low Light, David Scholey, a writer and genealogist, will share his research on how during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, John Wright laid out the streets from Borough Road to Norfolk Street and from Albion Road to as far as Tyne Street. His project was later completed by his sons (who themselves made interesting contributions to life in the region and nationally).

He will explain how when North Shields was celebrating its 800th anniversary last year, while much had been written about Prior Germanus in 1225 and the building of seven shiels on the riverside, he could find very little about ‘how the town defied gravity’ and the town centre we know today was created.

£5 pp / half price for members

Presented by Local Heroes, a film, followed by a Q&A session with artist Keith Barrett, filmmaker Dan Prince and a panel of esteemed historians.

This event begins with the showing for the first time of a 20-minute documentary following the extraordinary journey of acclaimed sculptor Keith Barrett as he creates a permanent bronze memorial honouring Mary Ann Macham, one of North Tyneside's most remarkable, yet once overlooked, historical figures.

There will then be the opportunity for the audience to ask questions.

Free

Presented by Local Heroes, a film, followed by a Q&A session with artist Keith Barrett, filmmaker Dan Prince and a panel of esteemed historians.

This event begins with the showing for the first time of a 20-minute documentary following the extraordinary journey of acclaimed sculptor Keith Barrett as he creates a permanent bronze memorial honouring Mary Ann Macham, one of North Tyneside's most remarkable, yet once overlooked, historical figures.

There will then be the opportunity for the audience to ask questions.

Free

This delightful concert by the Osborne Trio - Jessica Graham (violin), Jennifer Murray (clarinet) and David Murray (piano) - will mark the start of our autumn and winter classic concerts.

£18 (early bird £15) + online booking fee

This selling exhibition by local artist Linda Kay, called SPACE, includes more than 60 new paintings and drawings, many of local scenes.

A founding trustee of the Old Low Light, Linda is donating 25 per cent of all sales to the heritage centre.

£5 per person / free for members

Alan Fidler will talk about the Commonwealth War Graves Commission which more than 100 years after its establishment still works to commemorate men and women who lost their lives during the two world wars and to make sure they will never be forgotten.

The driving force behind the Northumbria WW1 Commemoration Project, Alan will describe the complexities around the setting up of the Commission, the challenges it faced, especially during the Great War, when conflict led to such a heavy death toll.

His talk will include local stories.

£5pp (members half price)

Welcome back to Sarah Paterson and Jeremy Harbottle, as the Roseberry Duo, whose recital will feature music for harp, cello and voice.

This delightful combination will offer a varied programme, mixing classical and popular favourites.

 £18 (early bird £15) + online booking fee

Another new talk by art specialist David Hirst, taking the audience back into Northumbria’s Golden Age! Long before the Norman Conquest, our coastal ancestors were crafting world-class art inspired by the wildlife right on their doorstep.

Join David for a fascinating journey from the seabird-lined margins of Holy Island’s Lindisfarne Gospels to the battle-worn beasts of the Bayeux Tapestry. Uncover hidden stories of the cormorants, warhorses, hounds and mythical monsters woven into our region’s rich artistic heritage.

£5 / free for members

 Violinist Bradley Creswick needs no introduction to North East audiences! Accompanied on piano by David Murray, the programme will feature duos from the Baroque and classical repertoire and end with Bradley’s now famous virtuosic Hungarian encores.

Both have performed many times at the Old Low Light over the past few years, and their pre-Christmas concert is not one to be missed. Book early to avoid disappointment.

£18pp (early bird £15) + online booking fee

A new speaker to the Old Low Light, Steve Gore, will talk about shipwrecks off the Tyne, including those that sank after hitting the notorious Black Middens at the mouth of the river.

A British Sub-Aqua Club First Class Diver and Advanced Instructor of 30 years’ experience, he has been a frequent visitor to North East coast due to his interest in diving and maritime history.  Steve will talk about the hundreds of shipwrecks, some of which he has dived on, highlighting a number of interesting stories.

£5 / members half price