History of North Shields
North Shields is a town positioned on the north bank of the River Tyne, and is part of the Tyneside Metropolitan borough. The town roughly extends about a mile along the river bank. It is roughly 8 miles east of Newcastle upon Tyne . It is said that the town North Shields first began at the Fish Quay, which is where the first shiel huts were found in medieval times. North Shields is estimated to roughly have a population of 9,595.
Although South Shields and North Shields are two separate towns, together they form one port which is known as Port of Shields . The port plays a massive importance to the industry of North and South Shields as it holds an average of 1,100 ships and employs over 10,000 people.
However before North and South Shields was in the reign of Edward I, both towns were of little importance, until he saw the advantages of its position, he then made great efforts to form a harbor, and also establish a market. However the work soon had to be abandoned, as the citizens of Newcastle obtained a decree.
A huge event that made North Shields suffer in 1635 was the plague. However in the time of Commonwealth Cromwell, North Shields was selected as an eligible site for a new town, which caused an act to be passed for forming a quay and establishing a market. However, it was not until the close of the last century that the restrictions upon the trade of the place were removed, and from this date North Shields has rapidly developed itself in wealth, population and commerce.
One of North Shields oldest attractions is Clifford's Fort, which was built in 1672. This was at the beginning of the 3rd Dutch War, which was to protect the mouth of the River Tyne and prevent enemy ships invading the river. The fort was then re-modeled in 1702 and again in 1707. And in 1757 it was to be modernised. In 1988 the Fort was to become a depot for the Tyne Division Royal Engineers (Volunteers) Submarine Miners. As the fort served its time as a military mining base it was extended to the west. In 1928 the Fort was abandoned and was then reused for the fishing industry.
Another historical monument in North Shields is St George's Church , which dates back to 1884, and was commissioned by the Duke of Northumberland, in memory of his father. The church was entirely built with local sandstone, and consists of a tower and spire, which rise to the height of 180 feet, a nave, which is 98 feet in length and finally the chancel, which is 50 feet. The church seats up to 700 people and has stained glass windows, which date back from 1885.
The most visited attraction of today in North Shields would be the Stephenson Railway Museum . The museum was opened in 1986, which was to house the railway collections of Tyne and Wear. The name of the museum comes from the famous father and son duo George and Robert Stephenson, who pioneered the steam railway. Some of the exhibits held at the museum are from the collection formed in the 1930s at the former Museum of Science and Industry in Newcastle. This was one of the earliest museums of its kind in England.
North Shields is also quite popular for the different famous people that have inhabited the town, such as:
• Hastings Kamuzu Banda Physician and dictator of Malawi
• Thomas Burt Miner M.P.
• Myles Birket Foster Artist
• William Harbutt Inventor of plasticine
• Stan Laurel Famous film comedian
• Thomas Walter Manson Biblical scholar
• Neil Tennant Musician
• Henry Treece Poet, novelist and teacher
• Ian Watson Prize-winning science fiction author
• Robert Westall Prize-winning children's author
