The first post of 2023 looks at TV and Film productions using South Shields locations. The latest being TV cop drama series ‘Vera’ starring Brenda Blethyn with her ‘Geordie’ accent. Gateshead born Jill Halfpenny shudda’ been a shoo-in for that role.

And an episode of ‘Inspector George Gently’ with Martin Shaw was filmed in the Rose & Crown pub at Holborn docks along the riverside where back in the ‘90s Catherine Cookson films were also shot. On the South pier scenes from an episode of ‘Spender’ starring Jimmy Nail were set up.

Rewind further to the 1970’s and BBC TV series ‘When the Boat Comes In’ created by local Shields lad James Mitchell, used The Customs House building at the Mill Dam as a backdrop in a couple of episodes.

I remember in 1982 when a convoy of film trucks landed in South Shields. To be precise, Devonshire and Porchester Street in the Tyne Dock area of the town, and there was not one, but two projects filmed there – BBC series ‘The Machine Gunners’ and feature film ‘Ascendency’ starring Julie Covington. Those days I lived just two minutes away so took the chance to see the action.

I remember a few nights nipping over to Porchy street watching ‘Ascendency’ being filmed. I have a hazy memory of huge lights shining on a scene where a family were dragged out of a house in pyjamas and nighties and put up against the wall by armed soldiers. I haven’t been able to find any copies of the film to check the scene, or if it made the final cut.

Unfortunately I was still at school so a bit busy during the day, but straight after the bell I went to Porchy to see what was happening in ‘Machine Gunners’. I remember in one scene a milkman with his horse and cart was delivering bottles, and shouting at a group of kids ‘Where ya’ going now’. Funny what sticks isn’t it?

I can’t remember exact details – wey it was over 40 years ago – but at the time of filming half the houses in Porchy were empty, and not long after the crew left, the street was knocked down. Devonshire is still there today. Other locations in South Shields were used in the Gunners, one of them was Westoe School.

In March 2021 I interviewed Punishment of Luxury vocalist & actor Brian Rapkin, where he talked about his music and acting career on North East productions. So I recently got in touch and asked him about it…

‘Yes it was 1982 when I had a part as a Polish officer in Machine Gunners for the BBC. I was acting in a speaking part for the first time ever, and I remember being very nervous and excited.’

Brian was in demand during the ‘90s, as well as the aforementioned Catherine Cookson films, he worked in Newcastle on the TV series Byker Grove with Jill Halfpenny and Ant and Dec ‘They were just kids then’. He also featured in Spender starring Amanda Redman and Jimmy Nail ‘Mr Nail knew the actors were on tenterhooks so he chivied the crew along, that helped my nerves’.

Alikivi   January 2023.