English: Children riding on the miniature railway at South Shields Amusement Park, August 1950 (TWAM ref. DT.TUR/2/5197L).

This photograph is part of a set that has been created to celebrate the opening of South Tyneside Council’s new leisure centre, Haven Point, on 28 October. It focuses in particular on life along the foreshore at South Shields during the 1950s but also includes a few images from further down the coast.
South Shields has long been a popular seaside resort and also has a proud industrial heritage. Times have changed, though, and many of the old industries such as shipbuilding and coal mining have disappeared. Rather than stand still and accept this change in fortunes, South Tyneside Council is pressing ahead with an ambitious vision to transform the Foreshore, Town Centre and Riverside areas into vibrant destinations. Haven Point is a key part of this change.
Tyne & Wear Archives and South Tyneside Local Studies Library have a vital role to play in this. As South Shields is regenerated and forever changed the Archives and Local Studies serve as its memory. We keep alive a window into the town’s past, preserving the history of people, places and industries that no longer exist. South Shields must look forward but its sense of direction will be lost if it forgets where it came from.
These images, together with a fantastic selection from South Tyneside Local Studies Library, can be seen in a digital exhibition at Haven Point. You can also see images from the Local Studies Library online at http://www.southtynesideimages.org.uk/.
A Blog on this collection of images can be read http://www.twmuseums.org.uk/engage/blog/south-shields-foreshore-preserving-the-memories/

(Copyright) We're happy for you to share these digital images within the spirit of The Commons. Please cite 'Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums' when reusing. Certain restrictions on high quality reproductions and commercial use of the original physical version apply though; if you're unsure please email [email protected]