Iconic South Shields lighthouse to get six figure revamp
The Barbour Foundation are donating £100,000
Barbour Foundation has donated £100,000 towards the restoration of the nearly 150-year-old Herd Groyne lighthouse in South Shields.
The investment marks a significant boost to local heritage and will facilitate much-needed repairs and maintenance on the historical infrastructure, ensuring its continued operation and preservation.
The Herd Groyne, which sits at the mouth of the River Tyne on South Shields seafront, was built in 1882 and is owned by the Port of Tyne. The lighthouse has served as a crucial navigational aid, guiding vessels safely into the River Tyne, and is still operational today.
Barbour, the iconic South Shields-based global lifestyle clothing brand, has a historic connection to the Herd Groyne, having used images of the lighthouse from the time of its earliest catalogues in the 1900s.
Dame Margaret Barbour DBE DL said of the donation: “The Herd Groyne is a North East landmark and is synonymous with Barbour – it has been part of the Barbour brand since the very first catalogue in 1908. It is a symbol that we have used across the globe as a proud representation of our roots in South Shields. When we heard about the repairs that the Herd Groyne needed, we wanted to help and we are delighted that through The Barbour Foundation, we've been able to contribute towards the restoration to ensure that the Herd Groyne can continue to guide ships into the River Tyne for many years to come.”
The project will involve cleaning, repainting, restoring and addressing minor structural defects. It is estimated to cost around £250,000 and will be carried out by the specialist contractor TIS Ltd, on behalf of the Port of Tyne and The Barbour Foundation. The project will begin in the middle of June this year and will be completed over the coming months.
Victoria Beattie, head of estates at the Port of Tyne expressed gratitude for The Barbour Foundation's timely donation, stating: “We are extremely grateful to The Barbour Foundation for this generous contribution towards restoring a key piece of the region’s heritage to its former glory. This donation has helped the Port initiate the works earlier than would have been possible without it.”
The Port of Tyne has a land and property portfolio adding up to 650 acres, including strategic sites and parcels of development land on both sides of the River Tyne. As a trust port, it commits to all profits being invested back into the Port for the benefit of the North East and all its stakeholders, in keeping with its remit to protect and enhance itself as a regional asset for future generations.
The Barbour Foundation’s donation underscores the company’s commitment to the community in South Shields and its own heritage. This recent act of philanthropy further cements its legacy as a key supporter of regional infrastructure.
To find out more about Port of Tyne and its activity, visit its website www.portoftyne.co.uk.