Joseph Bede Symonds and Jarrow March black plaque

This black commemorative plaque records: Joseph Symonds OBE. An organiser of the Jarrow Crusade which set off for London from this spot in 1936. Awarded an OBE for his dedicated work to improved heath and housing locally and nationally for all. Mayor of Jarrow 1945. MP for Whitehaven 1959 - 1970. Recorded plaque organisation: South Tyneside Council.

Joseph Bede Symonds OBE was a key organizer of the Jarrow March in 1936, which highlighted the plight of unemployed workers and spurred national attention to unemployment issues; he also served as Mayor of Jarrow and later as MP for Whitehaven, contributing significantly to health and housing reforms.