I Love North Shields

08/09/2026

08/09/2026

Interview by Caroline Oswald | I Love North Shields
According to Ian Read, his job title is: “Quite long and unusual – Creative and Cultural Zone Programme Manager. At least when I used to say I was a teacher, people knew what I did straight away.” So what does his job involve and how did it come about? We caught up with him to find out.

The creation of the North Shields Cultural Quarter (NSCQ) coincided with regeneration plans for the town, especially around the Howard Street area. The North of Tyne Combined Authority started creating distinct creative and cultural zones to foster arts activities in different places: “There was the area of Berwick inside the town walls, and the area around Pink Lane Newcastle. I think places were chosen that already had something happening, such as New Writing North and the Grainger Market. North Shields was ripe for it.”

Ian lived in North Shields when he was a science teacher 20 years ago: “I applied to study law, but then quickly changed to zoology as that seemed much more exciting.” One day, accompanying his art teacher colleague to an event at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, he was struck by the job title ‘Head of Learning’ and realised it was possible to work in education roles within culture. He gained a position at the Hancock Museum, now called the Great North Museum, and completed an MA in Museum and Gallery Studies at Newcastle University.

Ian went on to work in several participation and learning roles around the country including Scarborough, the Lake District and Hull: “I think I’ve worked or lived in every single county in the North!” Ian’s experience with Hull’s bid for the title of ’City of Culture’ proved very useful when North Shields decided to apply for ’Town of Culture’ not long after he had taken up his role with the council. “I moved back to North Shields to live near my family. I was still commuting to my job as CEO of Rural Arts in Thirsk when I saw the job with the Cultural Quarter. It made perfect sense for me to apply....Read the full story on our website

08/09/2026

One of the things I love most about what we’re building through I Love North Shields is bringing people together through the things they have in common. ❤️

Whether you love vintage treasures, photography, culture or simply meeting new people, we have some brilliant events coming up.

Our vintage markets and photowalks are free to attend, while the I Love North Shields Photography Collective is also offering a special Creative Photography Day for anyone who would like to try something different.

You don’t need to come with somebody—and you certainly don’t need to be an expert. Our events are friendly, welcoming spaces where people can connect over shared interests.

Take a look at everything coming up and hopefully we’ll see you at one of them:

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/ilovenorthshields

08/09/2026

Fish Quays finest dressed from head to toe in Barbour gear for their photo-shoot. These boys can put dinner on the table. Looking good lads.

07/09/2026

From North Shields to Amsterdam — to watch a story from the banks of the Tyne. ⚓️🇳🇱

Rachael and Simon recently hopped aboard the DFDS ferry from North Shields, crossed the North Sea to Amsterdam and headed to the beautiful Royal Theatre Carré to see Sting’s The Last Ship.

It’s quite a journey when you think about it.

They left the River Tyne by ship to travel to the Netherlands… to watch a musical inspired by the shipbuilding communities back home on the Tyne.

The Last Ship was inspired by Sting’s childhood growing up in Wallsend, surrounded by the huge shipyards that once dominated the river.

The story explores what happens to a community when the industry that has shaped generations of lives begins to disappear — touching on work, identity, family, pride and the extraordinary shipbuilding heritage of the North East.

And the setting in Amsterdam is pretty special too.

Royal Theatre Carré, sitting beside the River Amstel, dates back to 1887 and was originally built by circus director Oscar Carré as a permanent circus theatre.

More than a century later, Rachel and Simon found themselves sitting inside it listening to a story rooted just a few miles upriver from where their journey began.

DFDS from North Shields → Amsterdam → a story of Wallsend and the Tyne.

A rather brilliant way to see just how far the stories of our river travel. ❤️⚓️

Sting RiverTyne Shipbuilding NorthEast ILoveNorthShields

07/09/2026

Good morning North Shields

06/09/2026

It was brilliant to have Rachael and Simon from in the practice this week filming for 🤍 Dentists Jamie and Jarlath both in front of the camera talking about our refurb and what the practice has to offer.

We can’t wait to share this content with you! Follow for updates 😍

Union Quay Dental is a private dental practice on North Shields Fish Quay, based in the historic Richard Irvin Building. We offer routine dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, emergency dentistry and smile makeovers.

06/09/2026

Text and photo by Alicia Ward

🎬 Whitley Bay Film Festival is OFFICIALLY OPEN! 🎬

Last night the big screen lit up Cullercoats Crescent Club for the launch screening of Marianne and Leonard: Words of Love – a poignant tale of love and loss under blinding Greek skies. Wizards (the technical variety) and superheroes (a crack team of volunteers) assembled - and what a night they gave us!

🌟 Keswick Film Festival supremo Julia Vickers hosted in style, acknowledging Ian La Frenais as patron
🎤 Ema Lea (WBFF director) and her backing singers stunned the crowd with a beautiful live rendition of "So Long, Marianne"
🎥 Legendary documentary film director Nick Broomfield took to the North Sea for a chilly dip then to the stage for an exclusive, no-holds-barred Q&A

And this is just the beginning. 🍿

There’s a packed programme of screenings across venues in our area — and some are already selling out.

🎟️ Grab your tickets NOW online or in person at Whitley Bay Library
🎁 Snap up exclusive festival merch
🎨 Get raffle tickets for a stunning David Bowie "Jareth" portrait by Paul Harvey — the perfect warm-up for the screening of Labyrinth at Seaton Delaval Hall!

👉 Tickets and full programme: https://www.whitleybayfilmfestival.co.uk/

See you at the movies 🎬

06/09/2026

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