Dolly Peel

Dolly Peel was a South Shields fishwife, smuggler and poet who became a local folk heroine. Stories of her resistance to naval press gangs tell of her helping local men escape forced service. A statue on River Drive commemorates her in her home town.

She was also remembered for her quick wit, storytelling and ability to make up rhymes. South Shields Local History Group records the tradition that she entertained crowds in the Market Place by imitating the sales patter of quack doctors. Her poems included an address celebrating local MP Robert Ingham.