A new statue of a historic herring girl has been unveiled as part of the ongoing regeneration of the Fish Quay in North Shields.
Herring girls followed the migration of herring from Northern Scotland to North Shields, gutting and salting the fish as they went, for hundreds of years.
The North Shields Fisherman's Heritage project generated £19,000 in donations from residents and local businesses to commemorate the contribution these girls and women made to North Tyneside. The "herring girl" is one of five art pieces forming part of North Tyneside Council's "Ambition for North Shields" project.
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Terry McDermott, chairman of the North Shields Fishermen’s Heritage Project, said: “This new sculpture will complement the fisherman sculpture already situated on the Fish Quay, and helps complete the story of our historical quay by remembering the important role women played in the fishing industry.
“We’re extremely grateful to everyone who has donated to help make this sculpture a reality, and to the council for matching funding to ensure this historical art piece is given a home in North Shields.”
The statue, depicting a life-sized herring girl sitting on a barrel with a herring in each hand, was designed and created by Ray Lonsdale. Mr Lonsdale was also behind the sculpture of the Fisherman on Fiddler's Green.
North Tyneside mayor, Dame Norma Redfearn DBE, said: “It’s great to see another of Ray Lonsdale’s artworks commissioned for the Fish Quay. This beautiful new sculpture will provide a lasting reminder in the community about the role women played in our local fishing industry.
“I would like to thank the North Shields Fishermen’s Heritage Project and all those who donated to the project to help make this wonderful sculpture a reality. Every single one of you helped make this happen, and I’m sure those who live, work and visit North Shields with treasure her for decades to come.”
The sculpture will be kept in storage until later this year when she will be fitted on the western quay in North Shields at an official unveiling event.
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