Award-winning Irish poet Noel Connor has created a tribute to his grandparents, who used the Shields Ferry on their wedding day. The poem, titled 'Crossings', is being displayed on board the present-day service, and was unveiled to mark National Poetry Day on Thursday.
Belfast-born Noel penned the heart-warming poem in honour of his relatives Ellen Hannah and Thomas Connor, who got married in North Tyneside. The couple had settled in South Shields from Northern Ireland, and had to get to St Cuthbert's Church across the river, the only Catholic church in the area at the time. Their marriage was registered on the north side of the Tyne on 10 October 1848.
Poem displayed on ferry and at exhibition
With neither of the couple able to read or write, they made crosses beside their names in the marriage register, which is now housed in the North Tyneside Registry Office. Noel unveiled the work in person, and it is on board the Shields Ferry until Saturday, October 3, for customers to enjoy. An exhibition is also taking place at the Globe Gallery in North Shields.
Speaking about the work, Noel said: "It's really satisfying to have my work showcased on the Shields Ferry. This poem is very close to my heart as it's a tribute to my great grandparents and their connections with Tyneside."
Poet's determination to share family story
Noel added: "I wanted to commemorate them in my work and was determined to share their story, 'the wordless ones' who couldn't read or write or leave some record of themselves. I hope I've managed to do that in 'Crossings'."
"So little is known of them, no photographs, no letters. It was important for me to recognise and celebrate my connection to them and the North-East and the River Tyne."
Making the film and the poem accessible and conversational for the ferry passengers was a vital objective of the project. Noel said: "Not many people buy poetry books anymore so we have to look at new ways to get it out there. I've always relished bringing poetry to people in unexpected places as a way of triggering their own memories, knowing that everyone really has a fascinating story to tell."
Ferry's role in the wedding story
Noel explained the significance of the ferry to the family story: "Their marriage was registered over on the north side of the Tyne on 10 October 1848. I learned that they signed the register by making two very nervous crosses on the marriage certificate as they were both illiterate, that was the reality for so many other people back in those days."
"It's lovely that the ferry was part of their wedding day. It's an historic and much-loved service on the River Tyne, it's been there for hundreds of years."
Kevin Leonard, Customer Service Operations Manager at Nexus, said: "It's an honour for us to present Noel's poetry film on our ferry. It's a fantastic tribute to his great grandparents, he's done them proud. We were delighted to welcome him on board to unveil the poem on National Poetry Day. I am sure our customers will love encountering it."
