£132k to celebrate the past, present and future

NORTH Shields 800 - a wide ranging programme of activities, events, exhibitions and performances that celebrates the town's past, present and future - have announced a £132,160 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

- EMILY GRAY

The grant will support projects celebrating and conserving the town's rich past, as it marks its historic 800th anniversary.

This year marks 800 years since a small village made up of simple huts called shiels was founded on the north bank of the River Tyne where North Shields Fish Quay stands today.

Created as a small fishing port to serve Tynemouth Priory, it grew into the thriving harbour town of North Shields.The Heritage Fund grant is supporting 10 exciting projects that will share and safeguard the maritime, industrial, railway and arts heritage of North Shields.

It has been awarded to the Linskill and North Tyneside Community Development Trust which will manage the funds on behalf of North Shields 800.