Bland Square, Lighthouse stairs, Ropery Stairs, Bell st North Shields

[AlanBoyd]

Shields Daily News - Monday 17 December 1866

NUISANCES IN NORTH SHIELDS.
DEAR SIR,—Allow me to say a little on the above subject. I wish the Corporation of North Shields would look after the condition of Linskill's Ropery-stairs, Tyne-street. Descending the stairs, your foot slips and away you go—the cause of this is rotten eggs, orange and apple peel. You have to blow your nose constantly, whether going up or down, for the smell is so awful. This is the cause of so many diseases in this town. Thanking you for the space I have occupied, and hoping that this will be looked into,
I remain, yours truly,
A YOUTH ON THE ROPERY STAIRS.
North Shields. Dec. 17, 1866

[Ruskie]

Excellent map Alan.  I’m sure that the information found by you and Sandra will be a great help.

[Sandrafamilytree]

A very detailed book on the development of North Shields is 'Shiels to Shields: The Life Story of a North Tyneside Town' by Danny Lawrence, published in 2016.

Well worth a read, for anyone interested.

[Radcliff]

I have an excellent modern paper back book called Stepping back in Time,North Shields by Jack Shotton
watch out for a copy coming up for sale its very good ,

[Radcliff]

Also the Late Alan Beautyman maps can be found online, they are also available in North Shields Library ,they are part of a set showing where all the old pubs were ,they clearly show Bland square and the steps
BellSt/Tyne Street 1858

[Radcliff]

Another good site you may enjoy is the Beamish peoples collection showing photo's of the Fish Quay and banks, obviously they aren't that old but do give you an idea of how overcrowded and run down the area wa

[hanes teulu]

The 1st photo is an 1887 view of the area.
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/north-shields-fish-quay.html?blackwhite=1&sortBY=relevant

[River Tyne Lass]

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/photos-show-old-stairs-step-1394117

https://www.amazon.co.uk/North-Shields-Stepping-Back-Time/dp/1906721378/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1672683431&refinements=p_27%3AJack+Shotton&s=books&sr=1-1

I would recommend Jack Shotton's books if you are interested in the stairs and the old low town area of North Shields.

https://my.northtyneside.gov.uk/category/1017/local-studies-and-information
North Shields local studies have a good photo collection too (over 50,000 indexed photos!) if you might be interested in contacting them.