North Shields Voices was created to mark the town’s 800th anniversary by capturing a snapshot of life in 2025, to be looked back on in decades to come. Over the past six months, we’ve interviewed residents and business owners of all ages, asking about their connection to North Shields, their reasons for moving here, and their hopes for its future.
As part of each conversation, we invited people to choose a favourite place in the town and tell us why it matters to them. The responses were as varied and heartfelt as the people themselves. From childhood haunts and family meeting spots to places of quiet reflection or natural beauty, each location reveals something personal, a recollection, a feeling, a sense of belonging. Together, they form a portrait of North Shields not simply a location, but as a tapestry of memory and meaning.
Documentary photographer Hazel Plater captured a selection of our interviewees in their chosen places, reflecting the wide range of treasured spots across North Shields. From quiet corners to bustling streets, these portraits highlight the deep and often emotional ties between people and place. They celebrate the everyday landmarks that shape our lives and remind us that our surroundings are woven into who we are.
