Bring Back the 'Fishscape': Reviving North Shields’ Hidden Gem
North Shields is a town bursting with history, art, and community pride. One of its most loved but sadly hidden landmarks is the "Fishscape" artwork on Nater’s Bank. Created back in 1987 to celebrate the very first Fish Quay Festival, this public art masterpiece was a nod to North Shields rich heritage.
Fast forward to 2019, and the "Fishscape" got the TLC it deserved with a much-needed restoration. But here we are again, just a few years later, and it’s once more faded into the background.
Why the "Fishscape" Deserves the Spotlight
The "Fishscape" isn’t just a piece of art; it’s a part of North Shields’ story—your story. Sitting proudly on Nater’s Bank, it’s a constant reminder of our town’s deep connection to the sea.
Why it is important: with drones capturing stunning aerial views, Instagram full of local gems, and ferries gliding past daily, the "Fishscape" could easily become a celebrated landmark once again.
These kinds of landmarks start conversations and attract visitors. People across the river love the artwork too :)
Let’s Make It Happen!
Thank you @soul2sand for the stunning footage!
@top fans
Local Hero: Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen
If you're from the North East, you'll know that our region is packed with incredible stories—and no one has captured them quite like Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen. A true inspiration, Sirkka moved to the North East in the 1960s and dedicated her life to documenting working-class communities through her powerful photography. Her iconic images of Byker and other areas have given us an honest and moving glimpse into everyday life, preserving memories that might have otherwise been lost.
Her work isn't just about photography; it's about people, storytelling, and community—values that are at the heart of what we do with I Love North Shields. Sirkka's commitment to capturing the beauty and resilience of local life is a constant source of inspiration for us. We have some incredible photographers in our area and all the work they do will be a big part of our social history in future.
If you haven't heard of Sirkka before check out her work, she will blow you away. I am super fan 🩷
Who inspires you in our community? Share your local heroes in the comments!
Source: BBC archives
#NorthEastIcons #CommunityPride #ILoveNorthShields #Photography
In 1974, Greggs' 'Seconds Shop' on Westgate Road in Newcastle became a local sensation, offering bargain-priced baked goods to eager customers. Pensioners queued from early hours to purchase misshapen pastries and unsold items at discounted prices. This unique outlet not only provided affordable treats but also showcased the community's resourcefulness and love for Greggs' products.
Source: BBC archives
#greggs #nostalgic #northeast #heritage #newcastleupontyne
“Moments like this stop you in your tracks. Birds gliding across the water, colours dancing in the reflections – nature’s own masterpiece. 🌊🐦 Sometimes, you don’t need words, just a moment to take it all in. ✨ #NorthShields #NatureBeauty #Reflections #ILoveNorthShields”
💬 Meet the Core Team Behind the Stories 💬Behind every page, post, and story you love is a hardworking group of writers who pour their creativity and passion into every word. This core team works tirelessly behind the scenes to bring you content that’s made by the people, for the people of North Shields.Their stories reflect our town—its history, its pride, and its community spirit. ❤️ Thank you @theexchange.1856 for letting us your beautiful space for our monthly meetings! #NorthShieldsStories #CommunityVoices #MadeForYou #BehindTheScenes #northshields #contentcreator #community #storytelling #uniquestories
🌕✨ Full Wolf Moon Tonight ✨🌕Tonight, the sky gifts us the first full Moon of the year—the Wolf Moon, peaking at 10:27 p.m. 🌙Spiritually, the Wolf Moon symbolizes reflection, intuition, and connection to community. It’s a time to embrace new beginnings and let go of what no longer serves us, much like the wolves who howl together under the moonlight. 🐺To make it even more magical, Mars will briefly disappear behind the Moon in an incredible celestial event called an occultation! Don’t miss this rare sight. 🌌What intentions will you set under tonight’s Wolf Moon?#WolfMoon #FullMoonMagic #SpiritualGrowth #NorthShieldsSkies #CelestialEvents
January Issue Out Now! As we step into 2025, we bring you a fresh issue packed with inspiring stories and a few exciting changes that we believe will make this year truly special for our community.
This month, we’re excited to introduce a new section dedicated to our amazing volunteers—the heart and soul of our magazine. We want to shine a spotlight on the wonderful individuals behind the scenes, helping bring each issue to life. We hope this will inspire others to join us in supporting and celebrating local talent and collaboration.
We’re also over the moon to welcome Alex Wright (Woeman) as our new monthly writer, who will be sharing his insights. Alex’s work will bring a refreshing perspective to the importance of community and well-being, and we can’t wait for you to read his first piece!
This month, we also shine a light on a local hero whose legacy continues to positively impact North Shields. Rowland Lishman, although not a widely known name, has left an indelible mark on our community. More than 60 years after his passing, his philanthropy and selfless contributions still benefit local people, proving that one person’s kindness can truly echo through generations.
Additionally, I had the privilege of meeting Pete Robinson, aka ‘Eye of the Tyne Photography,’ whose remarkable 10-year project documenting the fishermen of North Shields left me in awe. His passion for capturing the heart and soul of our local fishing community is truly inspiring. And wait until you see his breathtaking photographs!
We also feature the incredible Henry Whitfield, a shining example of staying physically active throughout life. At 70-plus, Henry’s recent solo trek to the Himalayas is proof that age is no barrier to adventure. His story is a testament to perseverance, adventure, and the power of staying active in both body and spirit.
As we begin this exciting new year, we hope you continue to find inspiration in the pages of this magazine. Pick up your copy
The new walkway is open! Great for our local businesses! We walked up and down at it takes no effort, lovely views and easy access for all🥰they have planted loads of plants and trees and can’t wait to see it all in bloom🙏onwards and upwards 🎄go and try for yourself! #ilovenorthshields #WalkAway #fishquay
"Salt Market Sparkle: A Festive Evening at the Creatives Collective Christmas Market"
The Creatives Collective Christmas Market on the evening of December 5 at the Salt Market was an incredible collaboration with I Love North Shields and the amazing Creatives of North Shields group!
It was a brilliant celebration of local talent, and it was fantastic to see so many familiar faces and meet loads of new ones too. The atmosphere was buzzing, and we couldn’t be prouder of the I Love North Shields crew.
Massive thanks to Simon Hetherington (Dad, Artist, Writer, Comedian, and creator of Mickey’s Mega Bargains) for being the best Santa, spreading festive cheer to everyone.
Huge shoutout to Yevhen Slabun, a fantastic North Shields freelance photographer, for creating a fab video of the event. If you’re after a talented photographer, give him a follow on Instagram at @yevphotography—you won’t regret it!
Big love to Carol Davison and Tatjana for looking after the stall so brilliantly, and to all the amazing creatives of North Shields who made the market such a special event.
And, of course, thank you to everyone who came along to support local businesses—it means the world!
If you were a stallholder at the market, please drop me a message with your Instagram handle so I can tag you in the post and give you the credit you deserve!
Lastly, a huge shoutout to our partners for helping make this happen. Working together is always such a joy. We’re already looking forward to the next event collab!
@followers @top fans
Handmade by Wolf
Mim Robson Artist
Raymond Usher
Si Hetherington
Creatives of North Shields
I Love North Shields
The Salt Market Social
Look inside the latest December issue created by and for you. Unique stories and insights you won't find anywhere else ❤️ The January is ready and will go to print next week! It's a good one you don't want to miss! Onwards and Upwards for North Shields !
Pick up your copy at one of our local pick up points:
Baba Yagas Loft Baba Yaga's House
the Exchange
Barry's Fruit and Veg
Post Office Nile Street
Fish Tavern
Old Low Lights Heritage Centre
Or read the full issue available on our website.
Www.ilovenorthshields.co.uk
Thank you to our media partners
@lowlightstavern
@sweetpattwb
@rachaelmeyerweddingcelebrant
@victoria_print_studio
Creatives of North Shields
Tote bag event sponsor @hotline.co.uk
In collab with @city_park_studio
And @ramseys_theatre_stars
#NorthShields #communitypowered #uniquecontent #CommunityPride #socialmediamarketing #communitycontentcreators #magazine #zine #storytellers #northeast #ns800
I Love North Shields an independent community driven publication, supported by the public, operating as a not-for-profit, community-interest company.
