Remembering the Past

What is Remembering the Past? Remembering the Past is a volunteer led charity which collects and manages a digital collection of stories, sound recordings and memorabilia which reflect every aspect of local life in North Tyneside since the turn of the twentieth century. We began collecting memories in 1997 and our collection is one of the longest r... unning and diverse community history archives in the country. Why we do what we do? Hidden away in the minds of people all over North Tyneside are fascinating memories of life throughout the twentieth century. We are committed to ensuring that this priceless material is saved for future generations and that the special people who share their stories realise what an important role they can play in creating such an important resource. We are passionate about encouraging people to realise how important their life experience is and how it can add a vibrant context to what could be just bare facts. We feel strongly that this is the way to give local communities a voice and a presence in the telling of the areas history. My earliest memory is of seeing a great big ship go past. My father had a little boat, a rowing boat which he kept on the river, and my earliest remembrance is of being in this little boat with father on the river. There was this great big thing went past and he said to me Now, remember this, its very important. When I asked him afterwards and I said I was sick on my bonnet strings, he said Yes, you were, and he told me it was the Mauretania going out but I didnt realise it at the time. He just told me to remember it, and I did remember it, the maiden voyage in 1907. The lady telling the story had just celebrated her 100th birthday when she told it to us and her recollections encapsulate the joy of our work. The memory is invaluable and she thoroughly enjoyed sharing it with us. Remembering the Past was set up in 1997 by North Shields Library Club as a means of meeting the need for innovative and engaging responses to the issues around loneliness and ...Read More