statement

Briefing Note

 Fish Quay Heritage Centre Proposal 3/11/11

• The Fish Quay has been at 
  the heart of the life of 
  North Shields for over 900 
  years. In 2011 it is becoming 
  a lively residential, business 
  and social area, yet nowhere 
  is its history and heritage 
  celebrated. 
  
  This has been the starting point 
  for our group. We are working to 
  develop a centre where the 
  story of this rich community life 
  can be shared with locals and visitors.

• The group includes:
  a Fish Quay resident, former local teachers, a local 
  artist, a local librarian/historian and members of
   FISH (Folk Interested In Shields Harbour).
  
  

  

• Supported with funds from North Tyneside Council, through their Big Society grant, the group is going to conduct a survey to gauge local interest and draw up plans we can use to gain further funding for a centre.

• Our first presentation will be at the North Shields Victorian Christmas Market where we hope to tap into the knowledge and enthusiasm of residents across North Shields, North Tyneside and beyond.
  

  

• We plan a second event in February on the Quay when we will canvass more widely, targeting business, education and community groups.

• 
  Based on their feedback we will begin looking for funding to move forward. Our experience of recent Heritage Open Days, guided walks and presentations has led us to expect a very positive response. 
   
  

• We believe the centre will be offered space in the Old Low 
  Light building and we have come up with a working title for 
  the centre of The Net.

• As the name net implies, our vision is for a centre which 
  will bring people of all ages together. We want a place 
  where there are active opportunities to find out about the 
  past, cherish the environment, develop skills and 
  creativity, and share in planning for the future.
  
  We have a clear vision of how the centre would 
  develop.
  

•  We would like to see

   a gallery space, 
  
  

  a learning area, 

  
  

  a unique venue for hire for 
  special events, 

  
  

  a base for guided walks and 
  classes, 

  
  

  a shop with local crafts for sale, 

  
  

  a café with views across the harbour, 

  
  

  a sea themed activity area for children. 

  
   We could maintain and develop old crafts such as 
  
  basket making, knotting, net making and knitting,
  
  giving them new life with new uses and purposes. 
  
  We could help out family historians.  
  
  There are so many exciting possibilities to explore. 
  
  We need to share these ideas with the wider community 
  
  and get their feedback. 

  
  

• We will want to do this through signposting and 
  
  linking to local community groups and businesses: 
  
  perhaps with 

  
  

  • the local library helping with family history, 

  
  

  • the Sealife Centre explaining local wildlife, 

  
  

  • local colleges supporting classes, 

  
  

  • conservation groups devising walks and talks, 

  
  

  • a local university involved with alternative energy

    production. 

  
  

   We feel there are so many exciting possibilities to explore. 

   

• Our site gives real opportunities to link to other local 

  tourist attractions. We are on the Coast to Coast route, 

  close to the DFDS terminal and the Hadrian’s Wall walk. 

  It will soon be possible to walk from Tynemouth to 

  Newcastle along our great river, passing the centre. 

  
  

  

   

• We have the backing of North Tyneside Council. Many 
  local groups have already given us their support. There is
   a huge bank of knowledge and skill within our 
  community and we hope we can encourage people to join 
  us on our mission. 
  

  
  

   

• We will also use social networking to make contact with 
  local people, business, community groups and education 
  providers to keep them informed of developments. 
  

  

  
  

Nina Brown 3/11/11 fqhcwhbrief