1,000 Signatures Milestone

This week we passed an important milestone for the Shipyard Heritage Museum campaign… over 1,000 people have now signed the petition in support of creating a permanent Shipyard Heritage Museum for our region.

When this project first started, it began as a simple idea and a conversation: that the shipyards which built our towns, employed generations of families, and shaped communities along the Tyne, Wear and Tees should have a permanent place where their story is told properly. From that idea came a petition, then a Facebook page, then conversations with local historians, community groups, councillors and museums. Since then, the project has continued to grow step by step.

Reaching 1,000 signatures is more than just a number. It represents over a thousand people who believe this history matters, who believe our shipbuilding heritage should be preserved properly, and who want to see something permanent created for future generations. Every signature represents a person, a family, a connection to the yards, or simply someone who believes this story should not be lost.

Over the past few months we have spoken to many people across the region who have shared family stories, photographs, documents and memories connected to the shipyards. We have also had support from historians, academics, local organisations and members of the community who all recognise the importance of preserving the shipbuilding heritage of this region. The level of interest and support so far has shown us that this project is not just an idea, it is something that many people across the North East want to see happen.

The petition was only ever the starting point. Since then, the project has grown to include a website, community story collection, meetings with local representatives and organisations, and ongoing research into how a Shipyard Heritage Museum could be developed in the future. The goal has always been to create something that is not just about the past, but also about education, skills, tourism and opportunities for future generations.

Reaching 1,000 signatures does not mean the work is done, in many ways, it is just the beginning. The next stage is to continue growing support, collecting stories and material, developing the concept further, and working with organisations and the community to move the project forward.

This project has always been a community project, and this milestone belongs to everyone who has signed the petition, shared the campaign, told their stories, and supported the idea so far.

Thank you to everyone who has helped us reach this point. Let’s keep pushing it forward, together!