Hebburn Stories

This illustrated book by Lizzie Lovejoy showcases the many stories gathered during the creative consultation sessions led by local artist Lindsey Grieves, as part of the mosaic commission for Hebburn Town Centre.

Through workshops with local groups and schools, residents shared memories of life in Hebburn. From dramatic lightning shows at Reyrolles' Clothier lab, being chased by a horse in Riverside Park, to the everyday buzz of shipyard life and memories of the town's mining heritage, where coal pits once shaped the landscape and the lives of those who lived and worked there.

Mosaic artist Svetlana Kondakova-Muir turned these stories into a mosaic artwork, referencing the themes of History, Industry, Innovation, Community, and Civic Pride. Svetlana also worked with school pupils from Hebburn Lakes, Keelman's Way, and St Aloysius to create their own self-portraits for the mosaic, representing the town's next generation of innovators.

Lizzie Lovejoy has taken some of the many stories gathered and illustrated a selection that captured the themes of this commission. We hope these stories of Hebburn can be read for many generations to come.

Commissioned by South Tyneside Council, a project managed by The Cultural Spring and funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKPSF), this project celebrates what makes Hebburn truly special, its people, stories, and strong sense of community.