In less than a century North Shields spread out to engulf a number of surrounding communities which once had separate identities. The greater part of this intriguing new compilation covers those parts of the townships of Chirton, Murton and Preston which lay outside the built-up area of North Shields at the beginning of the twentieth century.

Along the banks of the River Tyne ever-branching railways wound between piles of timber, exporting huge tonnages of coal through the Albert Edward and Northumberland Docks. The colliery village of Percy Main was saved from oblivion by the railways. As the early industries declined, alternatives arrived, taking over much of the agricultural land at West Chirton. Housing estates at the Meadow Well and Balk Well farms provided healthy living for the people of North Shields, who once lived cramped upon the banksides in the old town.

This fascinating second selection of pictures of the North Shields area complements and extends the coverage of the author’s first book on the town. Once again, it draws upon the collection of the Local Studies Centre of North Tyneside Libraries. Many of the images were created as part of the work of the old County Borough of Tynemouth. Others have been brought to the library by private individuals wishing to share them with a wider public.