Believed to be North Shields’ oldest drinking establishment, The Low Lights Tavern has been a cornerstone of the Fish Quay community for over 400 years, serving locals and visitors alike. In 1956, renowned local painter and decorator Eddie Rowley stood on a chair in the tavern and painted a striking mural above the fireplace in one of its rooms. The scene depicted a trawler named The Abergeldie moored on The Western Quay, with an undeveloped South Shields in the background. Rowley’s inspiration for the artwork remains a mystery, but it’s not the first time a member of the Rowley family left their mark on the tavern; Eddie’s grandfather, a decorator by trade, painted the tavern’s rooms back in 1925, as receipts from the family’s decorating business, Fleming’s, reveal.
When current owner Danny Higney purchased The Low Lights in 2016, the mural of The Abergeldie was long gone. Stories from retired fishermen who frequented the pub hinted at its existence, but it was believed to have been destroyed when the pub fell into disrepair in the early 2000s. Painted directly onto the heavily textured anaglypta wallpaper, it was assumed to have been scraped away or lost to time.
However, in a surprising turn of events, the mural was rediscovered early last year. A local fisherman, while clearing out his loft, found the painting and brought it to the tavern. Astonishingly, the mural had been carefully removed years ago by locals determined to preserve it. The painted section of wallpaper had been meticulously peeled away and mounted on plywood, safeguarding it for posterity.
Owner Danny Higney shares his excitement:
“I was over the moon to have the painting returned as it was much revered by many of our local fishermen back in the day. I’ve entrusted local artist Mark Taylor to clean and restore the piece, and I’m thrilled to host an event later this month to unveil this treasured piece of our history.”
The unveiling event will take place on Wednesday, 15th January from 1 pm at The Low Lights Tavern. Terry McDermott, Chairman of the North Shields Fisherman’s Heritage Project, will do the honours of unveiling the artwork. The event will welcome invited guests, including retired fishermen who fondly remember the mural and some who even sailed aboard The Abergeldie.
The unveiling will feature a pie-and-peas lunch and live music, offering a vibrant celebration of the paintings’ legacy and the Tavern’s rich history. This event serves as a heartfelt tribute to a beloved part of Fish Quay’s heritage, taking place in a landmark year—the 800th Anniversary of The Fish Quay—with numerous events planned throughout the year.