We are very pleased to welcome Mike Scott, one of the earliest volunteers at the Old Low Light, who will share his research of a fascinating plan of North Shields and Tynemouth published almost 200 years ago which has influenced the layout of the town today.
Mike Scott, archivist of Christ Church, who is very knowledgeable about the history of North Shields and is often called upon for specific information to support displays and exhibitions in the heritage gallery, describes John Rook and Son's "Plan of North Shields and Tynemouth 1827" as “a work of art”.
He will explain how he came across the plan and how a later coloured version came to adorn the wall on the first floor of the heritage centre.
Mike will shine a light on the multi-talented father and son, land surveyors of Bedford Lane and highlight the amazing details of the mapmakers' work, which shows the development of the street plan of North Shields & Tynemouth from 1787 to 1827.
Setting this in the context of the early development of North Shields and pointing out how this has influenced the layout of the town today, he will talk about industries, buildings, street names (and where they derived from) and some of the well-known inhabitant’s whose legacy is evident today.
