The team behind the Gateshead Film Festival are delighted that a cast of stage, TV & film actors are sending messages of support to the first Film Festival to be held in the borough. They include Charlie Hunnam (Sons of Anarchy/Queer as Folk), Laura Norton (Emmerdale), Robson Green (Grantchester/Soldier, Soldier) Vicky McClure (Line of Duty, Trigger Point) also adding his support is former Newcastle United striker now football media pundit Alan Shearer.
NE actor & writer Steve Wraithexplains “I’m really pleased to be part of the team behind the new Gateshead International Film Festival where recently we held our launch at Vue Cinema, Gateshead. We have plans for the festival, the programme, the venues – the whole team have been bringing it together.“
“GIFFEST has been created by filmmakers, for filmmakers, with big ambitions for the North East community. The festival begins next year. Submissions are open now and are free to all North East film makers”.
This year is the 90th anniversary of the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War. Head of the Volunteer for Liberty group Tony Fox, talks about a commemoration event to be held in Sunderland.
‘The Volunteers for Liberty (VFL) remember the 120 International Brigade volunteers from our region, especially the 33 volunteers who lost their lives defending democracy in Spain.’
‘It is apt to be holding a commemoration in Sunderland’s Holy Trinity Church on 1st November 2026 because some of Sunderland’s seafarers and dock workers played a significant role in the Spanish Civil War and the church overlooks the docks.’
Tony explained ‘We also remember the seafarers from our region who risked their lives to take supplies to and evacuate refugees out of Spanish Republic ports. We also remember the volunteers who raised funds and cared for the Basque refugee children who found sanctuary here.’
‘First to challenge the Fascist naval blockade was Sunderland born Captain Andrews (pic.) in a ship built in Sunderland. I am delighted that the relatives of Captain Andrews and other relatives of the brave sons of Sunderland will be joining us.’
‘It’s always an honour to be joined by relatives of the volunteers, however many cannot make it and send messages of support. In return we reassure them that they are remembered showing that the City of Sunderland is proud of them and their loved ones.’
‘Dr Scott (author, Social Poilcy & Criminology, Open University) will also be bringing a memorial to the Sunderland North Sands Massacre of 1825 which the VFL attended last year. We collaborate often. The memorial will be mounted inside the Holy Trinity church.’
‘We will also hear from representatives of the North East Volunteers for Liberty, the Association of the UK Basque children (Association of the UK Basque Children ), the Associazione Nazionale Partigiani d’Italia (anpi.org.uk), and relatives of some of the volunteers.’
Tony added ‘I am especially pleased that Sister Mary Scholastica (pic) of the Sunderland Sailors’ mission has agreed to speak again at our commemoration. This year she was awarded the freedom of the City of Sunderland for her work looking after the welfare of seafarers who visit the city, an act of international solidarity as honourable as the formation of the International Brigades ninety years ago.’
The commemoration on Sunday 1st November 2026 will be opened by The Right Worshipful Mayor of the City of Sunderland, Councillor Robert Hutchinson and the Mayoress Councillor Glenda Hall.
Refreshments will be available on the day also music and poetry from Francis David, Sara Dennis, Harry Gallagher and Eileen Richardson.
For further details contact NEVolunteersforliberty@gmail.com
‘One of me first jobs was working in a bingo hall then I worked in a care home from 2003.’
She also sold postcards, bookmarks and DVD’s on EBay…..
‘Just as a hobby really but I was making more money doing that so I started selling full time. Been doing it for about 20 years’ explained Dawn.
‘Then in 2020 Covid happened I thought life’s too short. I felt I hadn’t found me real purpose in life. I went to bed one night and said to the universe ‘Any opportunities you send my way I’ll say yes to’ – and luckily, they’ve all been legal.’
Dawn and her mam Maureen Waters
Did any opportunities come your way?
‘The president at Wallsend Spiritualist Church asked me to write a panto for Christmas 2024. I said yes even though I’ve never wrote one in my life. But I’d programmed myself to say yes hadn’t I. So, I asked the universe to send me some help. Next day me mam saw an advert for Peter Mortimer (North East playwrite) he was running a writing course for six weeks in Cullercoats. So, we signed up.’
‘At first Peter wasn’t interested in me talking about panto but when I wrote a few pages, he ended up playing Prince Charming in the read through. When we put ‘Tinderfella’ on in 2024 he came to see it. We’ve since played it twice in Wallsend Spiritualist Church. It went down well. Our biggest show was at Wallsend Memorial Hall in December 2025.’
‘I also got to know Neil Armstrong from Washington Arts Centre, he’s wrote loads of plays and he’s an actor. He advised me about adding extra characters ‘You’ve really got to include a baddie in this Dawn’. I value these opinions and advice. If they’re taking time to read it, I’ll take notice.’
How important is it to work with others?
‘Me mam and me saw an advert for Alison Stanley (Hard, Tits Up) playwriting course, that was six weeks in Cramlington. Names like Alison Stanley and Laurels Theatre in Whitley Bay were being mentioned by many people, that’s a sign from the universe to go isn’t it.’
‘So, we started going to Laurel’s and I wanted to put something on. We ended up putting ‘Tinderfella’ on, then we put on a comedy show. Alison has been very supportive. I cannot thank her enough for what she has done.’
‘Also, people like Ed Waugh (Wor Bella, Carrying David, Cramlington Train Wreckers) and Steve Wraith (NE actor) have been very supportive. While some other creatives could see you as competition they don’t, they are very positive. Life works better when you work together.’
Have you found working in creative arts difficult?
‘Since Covid I think you’ve got to find pleasure in every single day and I’m a true believer that your mood is affected by the people you surround yourself with. Your energy is your currency, spend it wisely.’
‘My philosophy is to spend time with people who bring you joy. That’s what I like about the writing. I’m meeting all these creative people and there’s nobody I’ve met who are money orientated. It’s all about the love of creating.’
‘The thing I’m passionate about is helping people’s mental health. Isolation doesn’t help anybody. One of my friends committed suicide during Covid times. He was only 29. It came as a shock. People can put a front on, you think they’re all right.’
‘During that time, we were all focusing on ourself but there were nice things about community coming back. I used to get notes through my door asking if I was ok – I lived in a bungalow then so they must have thought I was old – but it was nice that someone was out there willing to help. So, I’m more community minded now. You know I think why we’re here is to make life easier for each other.’
‘At Wallsend Memorial Centre I run short poetry classes, writing short plays, we’re looking at song writing even a drama class. For writing we are sharing our stories and encouraging each other. It’s amazing seeing people’s confidence coming up. It’s all them, I just facilitate it and give them a space where they are not afraid to have a go. You’ve got to make mistakes.’
‘It’s finding the therapy that works for you. For me, writing funny poetry is a release. If people have a problem, I tell them to write a poem about it and they can’t believe the positive effect it has on it – it’s like magic.’
‘I’ve wrote three books about how to sell on EBay. In 2023 I wrote my fourth book ‘How to Manifest a Life of Pleasure’ and printed it through Amazon. When I got it back, I was so proud I took it all over with me. It’s a self help book it’s not to make money. The book is full of advice and exercises to help you achieve a happy life.’
‘People who have read it say ‘Dawn, it’s so simple. We know this already but have just forgotten.’ It reaffirms things. You can read it in a couple of hours and start to apply the principals to your life and things will change.’
‘We can only create our own pleasure. Nobody will just hand it to you. Writing, comedy, poetry brings me pleasure I’m just enjoying it. Me and my mam also have a radio show on Koast radio in Ashington. We play music and interview guests.’
‘At first, I only went on to talk about my book and they offered me a show. They liked the banter between me and my mam. Well, I was programmed to say yes wasn’t I, so yeh I wasn’t sure if they were serious when they asked me at first, but we do The Positive Vibes show every Saturday 2-4pm. Our guests have included Leah Bell, Trevor Wood, Michael Wood, Helen Atchison and Kelly Rickard.’
What’s next?
‘I’m working on a ‘Tinderfella’ murder mystery which is coming to Wallsend soon and I’d love to see one of my plays on a professional stage like Newcastle Theatre Royal, it’s an iconic building. I’d also like to start my own podcast interviewing local authors, comedians and play writes. We’ve got so much talent up here in the North East. If six years ago you said to me, I would get on stage and do all this creative work I wouldn’t have believed you.’
Catch Dawn on the Comedy Gala Night at Whitley Bay Playhouse on 22 November 2026.
Featured on here have been a few stories about myths, legends and mysterious happenings, so when talking to North East entertainer Dawn Wilkinson about her work for a future post, she mentioned if I had heard of the Gateshead Grey. No, tell me more.
It was a story about a 5 year old boy called Robert who was visited by a UFO in 1940, subsequently the alien grey was killed with a coal shovel by his Uncle Ernie and buried under St Cuthberts Church in Bensham. Well, I’m in.
North East radio late night talk show host Alan Robson remembers numerous callers phoning the show who had remembered the incident and reading about it in local newspapers.
So, what did happen? A quick on line search revealed more information about the story plus an unexpected email from another source gave me a name to contact. Richard Hall had made a documentary about the Gateshead Grey in 2008. You can watch it here >>
Richard was born in 1967 in Ashington where his father was under manager of the coal mine. The family moved to Shotley Bridge in County Durham where he was educated at Blackfyne Comprehensive School in Consett. He obtained a scholarship and sponsorship from NEI Parsons Ltd to study Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Newcastle University, finally graduating in 1990.
‘I worked as a professional engineer from 1986 to 2002 for Rolls Royce Industrial Controls and later for Joyce Loebl Limited. In 2002 I set up a computer repair business and did that until around 2008.’ explained Richard.
‘In 2008 I started making videos on various subjects and published the work on my website richplanet.net. Since then, I have made hundreds of videos and films about a wide range of subjects. From 2009 to 2015 I had my own TV show on the Sky Satellite platform.’
How did you first come across the story of the Gateshead Grey?
‘I put an advert in the Evening Chronicle for a lecture I was giving at Caedmen Hall in Gateshead about UFOs. The main witness, Robert Hall (no relation) saw my advert and contacted me and told me about his story. He gave me a copy of an article that had been written about his case by former detective and UFO researcher Gary Heseltine. So, I decided to look into it as I lived locally at the time.’
What was the outcome from your research into the Gateshead Grey?
‘At the time I was persuaded by the evidence that something along the lines of his claims did happen. Since then, having investigated many more cases, I am more sceptical about people’s claims – having learned just how un-reliable witnesses can be – for lots of different reasons.’
‘However, in Robert’s case, many things in his narrative are true. For example, Sergeant Brooks did have a beat on Saltwell Road at that time, there was a coal yard where he said, Mona Hollands shop did exist and the names of the children. So, if he was fabricating his story, he has carefully woven many real provable details into his account.’
‘I do feel something happened. One woman I managed to trace, who was one of the girls who Robert said were frantically climbing over the railway fence to get away from the scene, wrote me a note after I tried to speak to her – warning me strongly never to contact her. Her reaction to me simply asking if anything happened was indicative that she was petrified – or not allowed to even talk about it.’
‘I cannot put my hand on my heart and say it happened as Robert described. If I was to pick up the case again, I would start by transcribing all of his interviews and have them analysed by a statement analyst who will be able to say confidently whether he was fabricating or recalling real things.’
‘I have used expert statement analysist a lot in more recent investigations – in order to determine the veracity of witnesses. I am totally open minded on Robert’s story.’
How did you first get interested in media work?
‘I heard an interview in the 1990s with Bob Lazar who claimed he had worked on recovered UFOs at area 51 in America. Since then, I have always had an interest in UFOs. Around 2005 I became aware of the UFO Disclosure Project ran by Dr Stephen Greer, which further cemented my interest in the subject.’
‘I started making my own videos and films on the subject around 2008. From around 2011 I started delving into other areas where I believe the truth is being hidden from the public at large, and have produced many films on controversial subjects.’
Have there been any unusual events or surprises when researching a story?
‘I’ve had a death threat in a phone call, plus death threats by email. There have been many surprises. When you set off to investigate and find your own evidence and seek out witnesses who have not spoken before, the picture is never exactly as it has been portrayed in the media.’
‘One surprise was to meet a key witness in the Derek Bird mass shooting incident in Cumbria 2010, who stood and watched the gunman at close range for over a minute and described him as a completely different person to the alleged gunman.’
‘Other surprises involve being visited or telephoned by police to warn me about certain investigations. When I started investigating the Jill Dando case, I got a phone call from former Tory MP and author Jeffrey Archer, that was a big surprise. Being jumped on by mainstream journalists and filmed has happened several times.’
What are you working on now?
‘I am writing a book entitled ‘Revising Everything’ looking at the creation of the Universe, the Earth, life, gods, history, power, technology etc. My take on everything basically which corrects or ‘revises’ a lot of the untruths that people carry around in their heads.’
For further information go to the official website >>>
New book ‘Mother Marshall’s Make Believe Menagerie’ released by Sunderland Writer and Illustrator Fiona Duncan
What was the inspiration behind the ‘Mother Marshall’ book ?
The inspiration wildly became clearer afterwards, when I sat and looked at the finished book. I’m from a family of story tellers, surrounded by amazing women especially and had a great childhood, spending every summer with my extended family in the wilds of Scotland.
So, a life long interest of folk horror, traditional folk stories and a love of the witch rather than the princess in fairy stories definitely shaped the idea of Mother Marshall from the start.
Even as a child, I was fascinated by the witch in every story. Why did Dorothy take those shoes, they weren’t hers so no wonder Elphaba got pissed? Why was Maleficent so cranky when she could turn into a dragon?
They always intrigued me rather than scared me and combine that with finding out about the witch trials and looking at them through a feminist lens, it all just became even more compelling. The actual history combined with the cultural impact of the witch has made for a life long obsession.
What is your background?
I’m a 56 year old author and artist left school with the minimum qualifications but still managed to get into Art College, then took two decades before I made it to the University of Sunderland to study Fine Art and yet another 10 years before I managed to finish an MA in Illustration at Falmouth University.
I’ve always struggled with education in the traditional sense but I love reading and researching stuff so once I get my teeth into something I enjoy that part of the process.
Have you had any reviews or feedback, have the band commented? (Fiona is also vocalist with Sunderland punk band Slalom D)
I’m very lucky to have had some fantastic reviews and the feedback has blown me away. Certainly, made all the hard work to get it out there worth it.
As far as band are concerned, they’ve supported me all the way, through the writing, the endless months of planning and drawing, they’ve been there, bought the book and I’m sure they’d get the t-shirt if I made any.
Sunderland Literacy Aid and Media Savvy in Sunderland were a huge help in getting the project over the finish line too. Without SLA this would probably still be a pile of sketch and note books, they helped financing the printing and encouraged me from the very start and still continue to support me in getting ‘Mother Marshall’ out there.
Lastly prayers and thoughts should really go to my partner Roy, he’s holding the rest of our life together as I’m cracking on with book number two!
Is the book available to buy or is it on loan in the library?
You can get a copy direct from my website feduncanillustration.com (A huddle round the cauldron) or from Chapter 13 bookshop in Sunderland. She’s also made it into our local libraries, schools and even our newest library in Sunderland, Culture House.
A hit North East play about WW1 women footballers and munitionettes is to return early next year. Wisecrack Productions’ Jane Harker said: “We are delighted to be bringing ‘Wor Bella’ back. It is a terrific story about forgotten, heroic women. Demand is incredible. This will be the third time in only five years it has been produced.”
Bella Reay
‘Wor Bella’ premiered in 2022 and subsequently sold out nine venues in the North East and London before transferring to Newcastle Theatre Royal in 2025. The play received standing ovations after every performance and now plans are in place to tour the region this coming March to celebrate International Women’s Month.
Jane continued…“Set in 1918 during WW1 ‘Wor Bella’ is a timeless story about women’s struggles, which more than 100 years later is still relevant. Hundreds of football teams were formed nationally and dozens in the North East. We want each new generation to know about these fantastic, heroic working class women. This is their incredible story. I can’t think of a more appropriate story to tell during International Women’s Month.”
The play is told from the viewpoint of “Wor” Bella Reay, the Blyth Spartans centre forward who in an 18 month period scored an incredible 133 goals in 30 matches. They achieved cup glory in 1918 and Bella went on to represent England.
Jane added: “Bella Reay has been described as ‘the Alan Shearer of her day’ –a fitting accolade as the former Newcastle and England star makes a to-camera cameo in the play. He’s very supportive.”
Wor Bella was written by Ed Waugh, who also includes the hit shows ‘The Cramlington Train Wreckers’, ‘Carrying David’ and ‘Hadaway Harry’ in his extensive canon of work.
‘WOR BELLA’ tour dates 2027
March 3, Hexham Queen’s Hall
March 4 & 5, Phoenix Theatre, Blyth
March 7, Glasshouse Gateshead
March 9, The Tullie, Carlisle
March 10, Witham, Barnard Castle
March 11, Bishop Auckland Town Hall
March 12, Gosforth Civic Theatre
March 13, Westovian Theatre, South Shields
For further details and to book tickets visit the venue websites or visitwww.worbella.co.uk
A play about North East miners imprisoned for accidently derailing the Flying Scotsman during the 1926 General Strike, was staged in The Waterfront Hall in Belfast and The Playhouse in Derry. Both venues saw enthusiastic audiences and standing ovations.
The Cramlington Train Wreckers was written by North East playwright Ed Waugh who has spent more than 20 years writing plays about working-class life (Wor Bella, Hadaway Harry, Carrying David).
“It’s a story about working-class unity. Whether you’re from north east England, Belfast or Derry, they’re stories about solidarity told with a different accent.” said Ed.
Mr Waugh worked closely with Northern Ireland’s trade union movement to help stage the production. They received backing from several trade unions, including NIPSA, Unite, Unison, the Fire Brigades Union and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.
Ed praised working with NIPSA…
“I’ve been incredibly proud to work alongside NIPSA. Their commitment to bringing people together reflects exactly what this play is about. It shows that working people are united by their shared struggles.”
“That message of working people being united has certainly connected with audiences in Northern Ireland.”
A hit play about North East miners imprisoned for derailing the Flying Scotsman during the 1926 General Strike is transferring to Northern Ireland before it plays the prestigious Newcastle Theatre Royal.
Playwright Ed Waugh (Carrying David, Wor Bella) was invited to talk about the play at two Irish venues last week.
Firstly, how did you get there Ed?
‘I flew! It only takes 40 minutes from Newcastle to Belfast International Airport. My Metro journey from Newcastle Airport to South Shields took much longer!’
‘I spent a couple of nights in Derry but while in Belfast, and Derry, there was lots of talk about the race riots. Theatre shows were cancelled and the bars weren’t up to their usual capacity. I was told people are reticent about coming out of their homes to socialise publicly at the moment.’
pic.PlaywrightEd Waugh in The Waterfront Hall, Belfast.
How did the Ireland connection come about?
‘I was approached by Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA) who have a membership of 47,000 and are the biggest Northern Ireland-based trade union.
They were instrumental in getting additional trade union support from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ITUC), Unite, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and Unison. The latter have 50,000 members in Northern Ireland and are based across the UK.’
Along with the talks Ed was interviewed by BBC Radio Ulster in Belfast and BBC Radio Foyle in Derry.
‘I was amazed by the BBC presenters who interviewed me in Belfast (BBC Ulster) and Derry (BBC Foyle). They had obviously done their homework and their preparation was brilliant, they were good interviews. I was impressed.’
‘I was able to get the point across about the need for workers’ unity and the importance of trade unions in this, to cut across racial, religious and gender bigotry.’
‘These disgusting prejudices are whipped up by the representatives of the wealthiest 1 per cent to detract from the growing inequalities in society. It’s the traditional ‘divide and rule’ tactic to scapegoat minorities rather than the real culprits.’
pic. Playwright Ed Waugh outside Derry Playhouse.
How did you find Belfast and Derry?
‘Both Belfast and Derry are highly political cities. There are political murals everywhere and every family was affected by the troubles.’
‘Despite these historical injustices, Belfast is a brilliant place. I’ve been a number of times and it reminds me of Newcastle. People are very friendly and the place has a buzz.’
‘Mind you, Derry blew me away. What a fantastic place! I paid tribute to the Undertones mural before heading to the BBC to be interviewed but en route people would just say “hello” and smile. it was lovely.’
‘It was announced before the BBC Radio Foyle (Derry) interview that I was speaking and there to meet me at the station to say hello was a chap from Wallsend. He’d emigrated in 1973 but still had his Geordie accent.’
Would you call the visit successful Ed?
‘When I got the taxi home in the evening the taxi driver asked me what I was doing in Derry and when I told him he said he’d be at the front of the queue if there was another general strike.’
The Cramlington Train Wreckers is playing Derry Playhouse on July 8 and Waterford Hall, Belfast, on July 9, before transferring to Newcastle Theatre Royal on July 12. The two shows at Newcastle will be at 3pm and 7.30pm. There is limited ticket availability for both shows.
How many books have you published and when was the first?
Four so far Gary. My first book, ‘The Five Stone Steps’, a tale of a Policeman’s life in 1920s South Shields, came out in 2014 and was followed by ‘Blitz PAMS’ (2016) a tale of the Blitz on Shields, then ‘A Chill Wind off the Tyne’ (2018).
My last book, ‘He Wears a Blue Bonnet’ (about Scottish survivors of the Dunbar death march who were sold as indentured servants to work in the salt pans of Shields) – was published in 2022.
What is the new book about?
‘The Pit Boy’ is true story of the early life of my Granda’, Teddy, who was brought up in Wilson Street High Shields in the 1900s. His early days were marked by poverty. His Da’, a rivetter/boiler maker who had moved to Tyneside from Loughborough, died of rheumatics in 1902. Teddy’s Mam, Lizzi, took to the drink, and the family ended up in the Workhouse.
Back on the cobbled streets of Shields, Lizzie took up fish hawking, but when the drink took over, she abandoned Teddy and his brother Alf on a doorstep in Brunswick Street. She was sent down for two months for child cruelty and neglect.
Teddy started as a trapper lad at St Hilda colliery. He worked hard down the pit, went to night school, and when War broke out in 1914, he had become the youngest deputy in the Durham coalfield.
Why do you focus on South Shields?
After my Granda’ died in 1955 when I was six, my Nan, Gertie started coming for tea four times a week. ‘Tea’ went from half past two until six o’clock. She sat in an old wicker chair in the corner, drank tea and never stopped talking in her broad Geordie accent.
Her tales of old Sheelz still ring in my ears – of Dick Borke (Burke) the one-legged bookie, of when they ‘bornt Kredga in the streets’, (effigies of Kruger were hung from lampposts and burnt during the celebrations of the relief of Mafeking.) Although I left Shields in my early twenties, I love the town and the old memories kindled by my Nan.
When writing, is that when you are happiest?
I have always suffered with my nerves and had a breakdown in my second year at Oxford. I was advised to take a year off and went home. After a couple of weeks, me Mam told me that she didn’t want me moping round the house and if I was going to stay then I’d have to get a job and pay keep.
I tripped off down to the old Labour Exchange in Wawn Street and joined the long queues of men drawing their dole. There was only one job going in the whole of Shields – at Wrights Biscuits. I took it and learned more about life there than I ever had at Oxford.
I went back to my studies, and qualified as a Solicitor. I had a second nervous breakdown in my mid forties and have never fully recovered. I started writing as a form of occupational therapy and have kept it up. I am happy sitting at the keyboard researching my stories and then writing them.
It is fascinating to learn how folk lived a hundred years or so ago and then write about it. It’s not all I do but it’s now a settled part of my life.
As well as novels do you write short stories?
My first thought was to answer no – but then I reflected on how I started ‘The Five Stone Steps’. I had been intending to write a whodunit set in 1920s South Shields.
A very good friend of mine, Tommy Gordon, had taught me ragtime piano and I knew that his Da’, also Tom, but only ever called Jock, had been a Station Sergeant in the Shields police. I asked him about policing in the twenties and he went to his bookshelves and produced a dusty, dog-eared manuscript of his Da’s memoirs.
As I read these tales of Old South Shields, very much like those my Nan had remembered, I could almost hear Jock Gordon’s whisky voice as he sat down at a table by the fire to set his memories to paper.
I thought that one particular tale about publicans in old Shields putting out a little jug of whisky for the Bobbies on night shift might make a good story. My first book is in fact a collection of short stories but much like a ‘soap’ on telly all the tales connect-up.
What are your hopes for this book?
All my books are self-published with help from Uk Book Publishing in Whitley Bay, a great team. With the stranglehold Amazon has on the book trade it is nigh impossible for a self-publisher to make any money and the few independent bookshops that are left are reluctant to stock self-published books.
The only place in South Shields where my books can be bought is the Shop at The Word, so I rely on social media and word of mouth for my books to get known.
My hope for ‘The Pit Boy’is that a Tale of Old Shields will capture the imagination of folk and remind everyone of what a vibrant industrial town Shields was in the 1900s – that despite the poverty and hardship, folk stuck together, got on with life, and made the most of things.
I’m often accused of living in the past but we should all remember our forebears and their struggles – without them we wouldn’t be here!
Alikivi June 2026
Search for more John Orton posts on the North East Music & Culture site.
Ronnie is in his mid 40s and was educated at Monkwearmouth school. He worked as a mental health therapist for 20 years.
“After leaving my professional life behind I decided to focus on myself and had some counselling and in the sessions found myself writing about the past.”
When he was young Ronnie had a traumatic experience where two of his friends were murdered.
“Talking about the horrendous murders that took place and the lads I knew hasn’t been easy to revisit. But the truth never is. It naturally pushed me towards writing.”
“Also, in my youth I made a million bad decisions which resulted in a little holiday in the old mental health unit Cherry Knowles in Ryhope. This was also inspiration behind my writing.”
Earlier this year Ronnie met up with a couple of friends who have been supportive of his work. Two examples are added below. He is now looking to get some of his poems and a short story published.
“My friend has helped a lot with telling my story and I’ve really taken to poetry and bending words, its great fun.”
“This has all started to come together the last few months, I’ve got a couple of great editors working on the short story. The poems haven’t been edited yet.”
“We’ve had some really good feedback but if I’m honest, I think the story was born in Sunderland and I would like it continue to have a North East connection.”
What are your hopes for the work when it is published?
“I’m hoping the overall work of the two books is a positive message. Even when you think you are at rock bottom, believe it or not you can bounce back.”
Alikivi June 2024
This evening by Ronnie James
I wonder the meaning.
As I’m cleaning.
Am I right in believing.
This evening.
Isn’t for thieving.
Its for believing.
My mate knows the meaning of this evening.
Talking goods times and current achievements
Its not for screaming or disbelieving.
Its time for escaping the machining.
And giving the evening a meaning
Mad Matty by Ronnie James
He resided in the bed next to me.
Long jet black crazy curly hair. As if he’d been electrocuted. God knows why he was there we never spoke. Apparently, I heard some horrible violence some staff I heard saying.
He was drugged to the point he couldn’t talk just laugh and giggle. He needed constant attention from staff.
He would sleep under my bed at night.
I’d waken to hear a giggle. I’d look to my left and his bed would be empty. Bastards under my bed. I looked under upside down there he is. Giggling laughing, insanity, crazy eyes, evil. This happened a few times.
I went from trying to be his mate to him hissing like a wild cat at me under my bed to me completely exploding with anger to which either situation me being restrained by 3 or 4 men and Matty getting carted off to where ever.
After a few times of that and other situations 1 day he never came back. Apparently, he hung himself. He never got out the asylum.
