Memorial to North Shields fishermen nears completion

Groundworks are underway for the unveiling next month of a memorial to fishermen who have lost their lives at sea.

The sculpture, named ‘Fiddler’s Green’, will stand proudly overlooking the North Sea on land near the sands at the Fish Quay in North Shields. It is the idea of retired local fisherman Henry Howard who wanted to honour those who have died doing their job after leaving the port of North Shields.

A campaign by the North Shields Fishermen’s Heritage Project (NSFHP) to raise £75,000 needed to make the idea a reality was met within a year and included a £2,000 donation from fish and chip wholesaler Henry Colbeck.

The memorial is being created by renowned sculptor Ray Lonsdale and is inspired by an image of a fisherman taken in 1959 by local photographer Harry Hann.

The grand unveiling will take place on Sunday 24th September.