Working with those connected to the armed forces, either as veterans or their families, The Customs House in South Shields will lead on a project shaped by local history and personal memories, drawing on the powerful legacy of South Tyneside’s seafaring past and the vital role that local people played during the Second World War.

Local volunteers from the town, dressed like real people who lived and served during the war, especially those connected to the sea, will quietly stand as a living memorial, honouring the past and bringing those memories to life for the community today.