As part of the life brigade’s milestone anniversary celebrations they have put together an exhibition which traces the history and development of the lifesaving organisation.
The Mayor of South Tyneside, Councillor Alan Smith, joined by his wife the Mayoress Councillor Moira Smith, cut the exhibition’s red ribbon to mark its official opening to the public.
“This exhibition is a treasure trove of unique artefacts and lifesaving equipment that will tell the story of the creation and the importance of the South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade,” the Mayor said.
“As the new Mayor of South Tyneside I am thrilled to be a part of the brigade’s programme of celebrations by officially opening this exciting new exhibition.
“I would encourage everyone to come along to find out more about the brigade’s commitment to keeping people safe along our coastline.”
At the exhibition, residents and visitors to the Borough can be view a wide range of search and rescue equipment from past and present along with photographs and artefacts from the Brigade’s collection, including J T Watson’s iconic line drawing Saved, and rarely seen paintings from Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.
The centrepiece of the exhibition, which runs until Thursday 17 September, is a full size breeches buoy set-up for demonstrations. The South Shields Life Brigade was the first organisation in the world to use the breeches buoy to save lives from shipwrecks.
The South Shields Life Brigade’s anniversary will also be celebrated within this year’s Maritime Mayhem-themed Summer Parade, which takes to the streets on Saturday 2 July. The parade will be a vibrant celebration of South Tyneside’s rich maritime history of seafaring and shipbuilding as well as sights and sounds of the Borough’s vibrant coastal community.
Caption:
Image 1: Tom Fennelly, Honorary Secretary of South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade, and Captain Gary Hannah showing the Mayor and Mayoress of South Tyneside the brigade’s knitted gansey
Image 2: The Mayor of South Tyneside Councillor Alan Smith officially opening the South Shields Life Volunteer Brigade’s 150th anniversary exhibition at South Shields Museum