A Forgotten Way of Life | The Cullercoats Fish Lasses

For many years, the Fish Lasses were a common sight at Cullercoats Bay in Northumberland. The rives, sisters, mothers and daughters of the fishermen, these ladies travelled to many nearby towns and villages to sell their fish, and joined their men in every job involved in the fishing business aside from going out in the boats (cobles) themselves. A unique culture developed here, with Cullercoats having its own dialect, style of clothing, working practice and superstitions. These people didn’t change the world, but they were the backbone of this country. Artists from far and wide, including American Winslow Homer, were inspired by the work ethic of the fish lasses too.
Music used:
‘Nancy’ by Kevin Lees
‘Border Spirit’ by Billy Pigg
‘The Cullercoats Fish Lass’ by Judy Dinning
Sources:
Tynemouth & Cullercoats Through Time, by Ken Hutchinson
Cullercoats, by Ray Marshall
The Cullercoats Fisheife, Tyne & Wear County Council Museums
Lewis Dimmick’s work:
ldfineart.com/

[@spotonlevel5629]

Seriously. Well done to you. The best historic video about a lost but not forgotten community. Thank you.

[@TheJollyReiver]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed!

[@connorricketts1323]

agreed he's the best

[@Frakka475]

The last of the fisher woman were still there in the early 1960s. I remember my mum buying a portion of shrimps in a cone of newspaper, the small shrimp were virtually of no significant value but were boiled and sold as snacks. I think I was about five at the time. The other thing I remember is the use of colloquialism…the that one I particularly remember was to one that described….to stumble or fall over slipping clumsily……was “to cowp your creels”! Community was very very different even then.

[@eazygamer8974]

Another great video! Never lose your sense of wonder sir. Your a rare breed these days!

[@TheJollyReiver]

Thanks mate!

[@Jen999]

Achingly beautiful, this.. on my mother’s side we are Scottish.. she often told us tales of fish lasses.. Such a good storyteller she was.. this was what I longed to be.. married a Canadian lad with Scottish roots.. his parent owned a fishing fleet.. quite small.. and fishing is in our blood.. Although we did go out in the boats.. and filleted our own fish.. we never got to be genuine “fish lasses”.. Was a bonny life tho :) Thank you for another eloquent video.. love these when you talk with us as tho we were right there with you.. And truly appreciated the art and the lovely singing at the end.. Your work is always first rate.. we are eagerly anticipating your next adventure.. Btw.. your voice is way beyond beautiful.. always a joy to hear you speak 💜💙🦋

[@TheJollyReiver]

Thanks for sharing! And glad you enjoyed!

[@theendofeverything6356]

Your work is always improving and always welcome. Thanks for another great video. The moustache is doing very well too!

[@TheJollyReiver]

Thanks fella. Glad you’re still watching!

[@wolfofbadenoch8141]

I love your accent mate.

[@TheJollyReiver]

Thank you :-)

[@connorricketts1323]

I do as well

[@timelordvictorious]

It’s a north east accent

[@carolescutt2257]

it's what first drew me in when he was Duke of Avalon and he's so clever and such a natural story teller xx

[@connorricketts1323]

@@carolescutt2257 true and tell them amazingly

[@DevonExplorer]

That was fabulous. It was so interesting and beautifully produced. So sad that the way of life has disappeared. I absolutely love the paintings and photos and I love the way they stand with their hands on their hips - proud and strong! Thank you very much for a great trip back in time. :)

[@TheJollyReiver]

My pleasure :-)

[@adamnewton8565]

This is, hands down, one of the best videos on KZbin. I live in Bracknell, Berkshire, but my family originates from Tyne and Wear, many of them living in places like Whitley Bay. My father was a pilot in the RAF, and so spent much of my early life moving around a lot, but always going up to visit once or twuce a year, and so I have a lot of fond memories of the north east coast. Now as an adult, everytime we take a rare trip up there, I will always try to take at least one drive along the coastal road from Tynemouth to St Mary's Lighthouse, whether day or night, because it's such a beautiful drive with a lot of beautiful coastal architecture and, of course, my own personal memories attached to the area. Thanks for another great video, my man!

[@raydriver7300]

So well researched, written and presented. It’s taken me back home and I thank you for sharing 🌞

[@TheJollyReiver]

Thanks for watching!

[@jameskosusnik1102]

Honestly reminds me of how fishing canneries are a dying way of life up here in Alaska. I love listening to the fish lass song at the end.

[@damedavidfrith55]

Thanks for keeping those memories alive ❤

[@TheJollyReiver]

Thanks for watching!

[@connorricketts1323]

definitely love the stories and I hope we never forget them

[@JordanWhite-p8c]

Fishing 🎣 story and music and jolly revier

[@slippinjimmy3961]

I live 2 min down the road in whitley bay, love the video

[@TheJollyReiver]

Thanks for watching!

[@Flukey_1970]

I don’t live far away from Cullercoats and Whitley bay. just an off topic note both Cullercoats and Whitley Bay are mentioned in Dire Straits song Tunnel of Love. Also back on subject the term fish wife now is used mainly as a derogatory term for a loud “common” woman. Yes we also still say bait box for a packed lunch. Love your videos around the North East thanks

[@susannetroost5634]

Im from the Netherlands..Egmond aan zee..an old village near the coast ...here the fisherman wife..had a basket almost similar..and we called it a kriel ..

[@tinahale9252]

Thank you Jolly Ravier. Have you ever questioned the characteristics of your own body and the way you have been your whole life? With your video i can say that I can align my physical character and work ethics and I feel like you introduced me to my people. Broad shoulders and the use of them. Drive, integrity and just the weight i have bore in various factories. This is the oddest comment I have ever left. It's just bizarre and I feel like I just came home. I've been a work horse my life through. This just makes sense. Like a puzzle

[@osakarose5612]

Wonderful video about a historical period of time. Loved the paintings, photos and music. Time moves on but should be remembered like this. Thank you.

[@TheJollyReiver]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@Aramintava]

Wonderful song!

[@ShaunUnderwoodx]

brilliant , just brilliant but Not what I was expecting. I was waiting for the paranormal side of everything but it never came but "WOW "it was just amazing . Interesting and informative too

[@Embercant]

This was stunning, really enjoyed learning this

[@williamrobinson7435]

Fabulous. I really enjoyed this, and it brought back some deep rooted memories. Magick work, Sir! Thank you as ever. 🌟👍

[@TheJollyReiver]

My pleasure!

[@connorricketts1323]

thank you for a great take all ways

[@TheJollyReiver]

My pleasure :-)

[@Rye_Toast]

A very endearing video, thank you! The next time I'm in DC I'll seek out those paintings now that I know the backstory. This is true of so many paintings and portraits, when you see them in a gallery with no context you think "oh that's a nice painting" but when you learn the story behind them it just adds a new level. We hear a lot about the inspiration behind famous paintings, but it's the everyday ones that interest me, they document working class life which is so often overlooked.

[@TheJollyReiver]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@annieapple8974]

That song is so catchy

[@CallOfTheDarkVideo]

Really interesting! Thanks for sharing your film

[@TheJollyReiver]

My pleasure!

[@Ludicollision]

Aaay Cullercoats, not far from me. Great video as always!

[@TheJollyReiver]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@theramblingseanchai]

I somehow missed this one when it was first released, but man am I glad I caught it now. I had never heard much about this incredible community before, but the way that you told their story and reflected that wonderful culture of living sustainably from the land was brilliant. It's sad that way of life has been lost as time has gone by, but great that people like yourself are preserving it and keeping those folk ways of old alive for people to see. Brilliant video, I absolutely loved it! Also the Judy Dinning song at the end was excellent, what a lovely way to tie the story together!

[@pisceanx8382]

This has been one of your very best so far!

[@TheJollyReiver]

Thank you!

[@Rebecca-d7b]

Thank you very interesting

[@TheJollyReiver]

My pleasure!

[@rickjones4133]

Wonderful, thank's so much for this.

[@TheJollyReiver]

My pleasure :-)

[@E2MC2]

Fascinating - most interesting. Thank you for sharing.

[@TheJollyReiver]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@TPT6148]

That's one of your best -informative, entertaining & the song & paintings at the end were charming.

[@TheJollyReiver]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed!

[@carolescutt2257]

I was only thinking a couple of days back about when we might be blessed with a new upload from uour good self. Wow what a wonderful upload it is its one of the best if i can choose one. I watched it with my elderly mum as she uses the term 'as common as a fish wife' 😊 welldone lad ❤❤

[@TheJollyReiver]

Thank you! Glad you both enjoyed!

[@Untamed_dogwood]

Thank you for covering, it was so interesting to listen to. I have very fond memories of cullercoats as my grandma used to go down rockpools to the left of the boating house in her heels to give my grandads his bait when he was fishing that way! They've both since passed and had a memorial chair overlooking that area.

[@TheJollyReiver]

Thanks for sharing!

[@_the_wessex_nomad_]

Excellent video, my friend. Infectious passion as always, and very well presented. This is one of the many traditions that we need back in society today.

[@TheJollyReiver]

Cheers fella

[@alisonhill9123]

Thoroughly enjoyed this, thank you x

[@TheJollyReiver]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@mysticallymerry5523]

Lovely video.👍🏻 Great pictures but sad that good professions like that are now almost all gone. Thanks for the vid and love the song at the end too!😊

[@TheJollyReiver]

Thanks for watching!

[@Freakaboogie]

another excellent video!!!!! great work!

[@TheJollyReiver]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@SharonPadget]

Great video. Really enjoy your channel.

[@TheJollyReiver]

Thank you :-)

[@MeatisFreedom]

That was very enjoyable. Thank you.

[@TheJollyReiver]

Thanks for watching!

[@MeatisFreedom]

@@TheJollyReiver I love your part of the country and its history. I tried to move there recently but it fell through. I will keep trying.

[@TheBoldDeciever]

A beautiful place, lost to modern times

[@TheJollyReiver]

Aye

[@acharyajamesoermannspeaker6563]

Back in the old days when people had culture, however superstitious, and worked for a living. Now they gather their government cheques, and buy fish as Tesco, or maybe Sainsbury's.

[@ladoboyo5452]

A beautiful video mate. What we have list.

[@TheJollyReiver]

Thanks mate. Glad you enjoyed!

[@danielmacleod3766]

Great video. ❤

[@TheJollyReiver]

Thank you :-)

[@timelordvictorious]

Very interesting video keep the good work up .very nice to see videos on my part of the world also just to add to the list of artists who worked In colour coats Was the man who did the stickmen L.S Lowry .

[@TheJollyReiver]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@pqtpat7734]

Great video. We are a soft people now. Modern women can’t fathom one shift of this labor. Your channel’s quality is better & better man

[@TheJollyReiver]

Thank you :-)

[@lauraholmes2402]

I’ve heard an insult ‘common as a fish wife’ but, quite honestly, I don’t see it as much of an insult. Like miners wives, they seemed to keep their communities together and supported each other

[@TheJollyReiver]

Certainly :-)

[@balthiersgirl2658]

Yes thats what my dad called his a bait box he was a pitman lived in Gateshead my sister me niece too still

[@TheJollyReiver]

:-)

[@thetimetraveller6550]

For sure better days back then unlike today😢 the old days will always be the best 2024" Hmph!! No one wants it...

[@TheJollyReiver]

For sure :-)

[@timelordvictorious]

No free heath service and hard conditions I think so not exactly the best .

[@amberswafford9305]

I know all my neighbors but I live in a small, southern Appalachian town so it’d be strange if I didn’t.

[@Paulftate]

👋👍

[@reefermadnezz9819]

and in this Age and Day ,,,,We dont know Our neighbours

[@mattb1023]

Such great times and traditions now lost. What remains? Not much…Where does that leave your channel when all that’s left has nearly eroded completely washed away into the sea of history, ebbed and swept away into an abyss. Forever adrift, Jolly Reiver, forever adrift…

[@TheJollyReiver]

👀

[@RingaDingDingDong]

Fish Lasses is what I'd call my girlfriends in highschool. Lol. Also, your stash is brilliant mate! Cheers!

[@TheJollyReiver]

Cheers fella

[@North_sea_empire_Viking]

'Mary Jane' is still common around Newcastle, and so, unfortunately are 'fishy lasses' 🐟🤢😂😂

[@timelordvictorious]

Thought Mary Jane was a drug term😂