Well, I went to see this exhibition on Saturday and found it very interesting. This will run until December, although the free one day Heritage Open Day event is over so entry is now £4.
There were guides present on the day and the lady guide who spoke to me about the exhibits was very knowledgeable and informative about women who have worked in the local fishing industry past and present.
I really liked seeing the baskets on display. There was one which looked very old and weather lightened but still in good condition. The guide pointed out a very old photo of a fishwife (probably late1800s I would guess) with her basket on her back. It turns out that that this is the very same one, loaned to the Low Lights by a descendant!
It was incredible to hear that about 6 stone in weight of fish could be carried in these baskets and hearing/reading about how hard these herring girls and fishwives worked. The guide said some of the Scottish herring girls could only speak Gaelic and were quite shy. This seemed to be borne out by a photo of a group of them walking down a street with downcast eyes and one of them shielding her face from the camera with her knitting.
There was also a displayed large basket made and donated by someone in a local basket making group. I have been told that this is to be hopefully filled with a range of Northumbrian goodies, in December and raffled off in aid of a cancer charity. More details will be put up about this on their website and raffle to be started later in the year. (I hope I win).
https://www.blythtallship.co.uk/friends/gansey-projectI also liked seeing the ganseys (knitted jumpers) on display and hearing about the Blyth Tall Ship Williams Gansey Project. Apparently, the vessel Williams II, went on a voyage around Britain in 2019 and the 110 crew members all wore the 'uniform' of ganseys and matching hats made by 'experienced volunteer knitters from all over the world' who responded to the Project.
There was also a exhibit board up about John Woodger, the inventor of the Seahouses kipper. (I do recall that RootsChats very own Shiny1, has mentioned on here that John is an ancestor.) The board shows a photo of John Woodger's old shop at 53 Northumberland Street, Newcastle and a curing business at Upper Toll Street is also referenced in the write up.
Upstairs they have exhibits about the Wellesley Training Ship, which I found very interesting too. Apparently, the bandmaster would inspect a boy's teeth before deciding if he could be permitted to join the ship's band! So if you have an ancestor who was in the band, I think it would be safe to say he probably had good teeth!
It was all a very interesting visit and well worth going to see if anyone gets the chance before it finishes in December.
The Low Lights have mentioned that they are still interested in recording more stories of women who worked on the Fish Quay. So if anyone has such stories or photos they can copy, get in touch with them. I asked if I could photo one of their cards about this and put this up on RootsChat and I was given permission to do so.
I have also added a photo of one of the views from the outside viewing platform.
