Summer Walk No10, North Shields Fish Quay - Tuesday 16th August 2022.
On Tuesday 16th August the Morpeth Camera Club Summer Walks Programme came to a close with a visit
to North Shields Fish Quay. The area has changed since our last visit with many new pubs, restaurants and
cafes on the riverside and development work on the quay itself and new apartments looking down on the
river. Leaving the Lowlights Car park, members started the evening with our now traditional take away Fish
& Chips and we headed into The Gut (inner harbour) to enjoy our food whilst watching the vessels in port.
Walking west through the fish sheds and out onto the open quayside there were views of the Tyne and the
Highlight and Lowlight lighthouses. Fishing nets, lobster pots, ropes, bouys and other equipment were all
photographed along with the "BG Ireland" an 11177 tons large container ship that passed us and headed
up river. High tide had also made the quay area busy with line fishermen looking for a bite.
Continuing past the old ice house to the Prince of Wales Tavern, we photographed the carved female figure
of a Wooden Dolly, a replica of a wooden figurehead that stood here in the late 19th century. The original
figurehead was taken from a collier brig The Alexander & Margaret in 1781. Crossing Bell Street, we climbed
the steep steps up to the Maritime Chambers building on Tyne street. This was once the head office of the
Stag Line Shipping Company. This location gives impressive views of the river and quayside from above and
we paused at the huge Ships Anchor Memorial to those lost at sea.
Continuing on our circular route we now headed east to Laurel Park in Dockwray Square to see the statue
of Stan Laurel. Half of the famous comedic duo Laurel and Hardy, Arthur Stanley Jefferson, (to use his real
name), lived here in North Shields from 1897 to 1902. Passing the highlight lighthouse, we were invited in
by the occupant, who led us through the building and out onto a viewing area with panoramic views of
the Mouth of the Tyne, across the river to South Shields and west to the ferry landings.
Moving on, the group photographed and explored the Nater’s Bank Seascape, a huge fish mosaic before we
returned to the quayside down the Union Quay stairs. As the light faded we completed our circular walk at
The Fiddlers Green Fisherman's Memorial, a two ton Corten steel statue overlooking the Tyne. After nine
previous walks in good weather, a dull and cloudy evening was a bit disappointing but everyone made the
best of it and two hours flew by. Thank you to everyone who attend this walk and supported the Summer
Programme overall.
Davy Bolam
to North Shields Fish Quay. The area has changed since our last visit with many new pubs, restaurants and
cafes on the riverside and development work on the quay itself and new apartments looking down on the
river. Leaving the Lowlights Car park, members started the evening with our now traditional take away Fish
& Chips and we headed into The Gut (inner harbour) to enjoy our food whilst watching the vessels in port.
Walking west through the fish sheds and out onto the open quayside there were views of the Tyne and the
Highlight and Lowlight lighthouses. Fishing nets, lobster pots, ropes, bouys and other equipment were all
photographed along with the "BG Ireland" an 11177 tons large container ship that passed us and headed
up river. High tide had also made the quay area busy with line fishermen looking for a bite.
Continuing past the old ice house to the Prince of Wales Tavern, we photographed the carved female figure
of a Wooden Dolly, a replica of a wooden figurehead that stood here in the late 19th century. The original
figurehead was taken from a collier brig The Alexander & Margaret in 1781. Crossing Bell Street, we climbed
the steep steps up to the Maritime Chambers building on Tyne street. This was once the head office of the
Stag Line Shipping Company. This location gives impressive views of the river and quayside from above and
we paused at the huge Ships Anchor Memorial to those lost at sea.
Continuing on our circular route we now headed east to Laurel Park in Dockwray Square to see the statue
of Stan Laurel. Half of the famous comedic duo Laurel and Hardy, Arthur Stanley Jefferson, (to use his real
name), lived here in North Shields from 1897 to 1902. Passing the highlight lighthouse, we were invited in
by the occupant, who led us through the building and out onto a viewing area with panoramic views of
the Mouth of the Tyne, across the river to South Shields and west to the ferry landings.
Moving on, the group photographed and explored the Nater’s Bank Seascape, a huge fish mosaic before we
returned to the quayside down the Union Quay stairs. As the light faded we completed our circular walk at
The Fiddlers Green Fisherman's Memorial, a two ton Corten steel statue overlooking the Tyne. After nine
previous walks in good weather, a dull and cloudy evening was a bit disappointing but everyone made the
best of it and two hours flew by. Thank you to everyone who attend this walk and supported the Summer
Programme overall.
Davy Bolam