Although it's not the biggest town in the world, a lot has taken place in South Shields. It is also a town of contrasts. It has proved to be popular tourist destination while also being a home for many smokestack industries. It's a town that has had almost everything except an airport. South Shields From Old Photographs contains many previously unpublished images by John and Joyce Carlson and draws on an eclectic collection of photographs and other materials to illustrate some of its broad and diverse history and provide a 'something for everyone' look at the town's life and history.