Film celebrating South Shields reaches 30,000 people within a day of being released

‘Nowt Like Home’ showcases the town and its heritage through interviews with long-time residents and business owners, including Ziggy's owner Stephen Sullivan and Abdul Miah from restaurant Spice One.

The short documentary was released online on April 6 and has already been watched by more that 30,000 people, with some viewers coming from as far as Canada.

South Shields native Nathan Glendinning, who started the project has said the reaction has left him “humbled” as Sanddancers from across the world connected thanks to the film.

He said: “The comments are full of people being really positive about the town, of people sharing memories, of people connecting.

“The fact that that’s happened through the video is an indescribable feeling.

“I honestly was not expecting it to reach as many people as it has.

“I’ve heard people in Canada have seen it and other people abroad, so it’s not only hit South Shields, but really anyone that has their heart in the town.

“It seems to have reached all the different corners of the globe, which is just unbelievable.

“I am very, very humbled by it and am so happy that everyone has responded to it so positively.”

Over the course of five minutes, the film explores South Shields through the decades from the town’s mining heritage, to the history of Ocean Road, and the challenges of Covid-19, as it ponders the question ‘What is a Sanddancer?’”

Nathan added: “A Sanddancer is someone that carries their heritage with pride, who welcomes everyone from any walk of life to their home.

"We are a community that is resilient and has been able to withstand so much. We’ve overcome so much and there is no reason why we can’t overcome the pandemic.”

Nathan, who wanted to make the film to highlight local businesses as lockdown starts to ease has said he will be showing the video to the local authority as well in the hope it could be used to attract more tourism to the area in the coming months.

You can watch the film at www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5ykuFN9Gfo.

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