Remembering The Past: Community Voices Take Centre Stage in North Shields 800 Heritage Exhibitions
Portrait of interviewee John Hill, image by Hazel Plater
Two new exhibitions at the Beacon Centre are set to showcase the stories, memories and spirit of North Shields as part of the town’s 800th anniversary celebrations. Both projects have been made possible thanks to National Lottery players through The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
North Shields Voices (Saturday 29 November – Friday 5 December) is the culmination of a six-month oral history project led by local charity Remembering The Past. As part of the project, volunteers interviewed residents from across the town, capturing reflections on life in North Shields in 2025. The exhibition features striking photographic portraits by Hazel Plater, taken in each interviewee’s favourite location in North Shields, and paired with excerpts from their recorded conversations. Together, they offer a vivid snapshot of the town’s rich history, vibrant community, and hopes for the future. Visitors can also enjoy new artwork by Conrad Milne, inspired by North Shields’ 800-year journey and drawing on Remembering The Past’s archive material.
Alex Watson from Remembering The Past said: “It’s been a real privilege to work with people across North Shields and hear their stories and memories firsthand. The process has been moving, funny and inspiring, with participants aged from 9 to 90, each offering a unique glimpse into life in the town today. These exhibitions are a celebration of North Shields’ voices, past and present.”
Portrait of Sheila Day, image by Hazel Plater
Gannin’ Shoppin’ in Shields (Saturday 6 December – Friday 12 December) invites visitors to explore the evolving story of shopping in North Shields, from the bustling high streets of the 20th century to today’s thriving independent businesses. Originally developed in 2011 through a partnership between Remembering The Past, North Shields Chamber of Trade, Queen Alexandra College and the North Shields Live At Home Scheme, the project gathered vivid memories and photographs that revealed how local shops shaped everyday life. Now, the exhibition returns with a fresh perspective, featuring new portraits and interviews collected by researchers at Northumbria University as part of the Flourish project. Interviews with local independent business owners provide a snapshot of North Shields in 2025 and encourage us to think about what makes places thrive. Together, these voices and images offer a unique opportunity to reflect on favourite shops past and present, and to imagine the future of North Shields town centre.
Portrait of Caroline Oswald, image by Hazel Plater
Sir Alan Campbell MP, Chair of the North Shields 800 Committee, said: “These exhibitions are a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving the voices and stories of North Shields. As we mark 800 years of the town’s history, it’s vital that we also look to the future, creating a legacy archive that will last well beyond this anniversary year and continue to inspire generations to come.”
Helen Featherstone, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: Communities are at the heart of our heritage, and it is great to see their stories and memories shared through these exhibitions. Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, the safeguarding of this important heritage will allow it to be shared with future generations who can build on the 800 year strong history the area already boasts.”
The exhibitions are free to attend and will be held in the Beacon Centre (unit opposite Wilko). Opening times vary across the week, with full details available on the North Shields 800 website.
