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Showing posts from March, 2021

Famous Faces: Monument Metro station

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1996 Artist: Robert Olley Blackett Street entrance, Monument Metro Bob Olley is a popular and iconic artist from North Shields. His work is often light-hearted and features mining scenes and everyday life. His most famous work is undoubtedly Westoe Netty . Bob created the mural during his tenure of Artist in Residence at the Customs House Gallery in South Shields. It shows local celebrities from many disciplines, including the theatre and television, music, sport, business, literature, and the church. Left panel Robson Green : a prolific actor and presenter, Green has set up Coastal Productions , an independent production company providing opportunities to North Eastern talent. Brian Johnson : founder member of rock band Geordie (1971-1978); lead singer of AC/DC (1980-present). Sir Brendan Foster : long distance runner and commentator, Brendan has competed in three Olympic Games and broke World and Olympic Records. He is a gold medal winner in the Commonwealth Games. Brendan founded th

Parsons' Polygon: Blackett Street

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1985 Artist: David Hamilton Grade II listed The sculpture commemorates Sir Charles Parsons (1854-1931). It is situated on Blackett Street, near the entrance to Fenwick department store and opposite the Blackett Street branch of Boots. It is within view of Grey's Monument. Charles Parsons was an innovative engineer. He developed steam turbines for electricity generation and designed the Turbinia, a turbine powered vessel. The Discovery Museum now houses the Turbinia. The terracotta panels feature abstract designs based on Parsons' engineering drawings. The sculpture also provides a ventilation shaft for the Metro. Historic England listing Photo gallery

Clothing Bank: Farplace Animal Rescue

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Clothing bank outside Westway Vets, West Road Yes please Clean, paired shoes; Accessories; Belts; Bric-a-brac; Handbags; Curtains; Towels; Toys; Bedding; Reusable clothes No thank you Soiled or wet rags; Single shoes; Carpets/rugs; Pillows; Duvets; Books; Rubbish; Glass; Metal; Paper Farplace Animal Rescue

The White Cross, Newgate Street

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A medieval market cross, first mentioned around 1410, once stood here. Sited on Newgate Street near to the junction with Low Friar Street (opposite), for almost 400 years it marked the main entrance into a host of markets including the Bigg Market, Poultry Market, Groat Market, Wool Market, Iron Market and the Flesh Market. Many of these market names are still in use today as street names within the city centre. The 'White Cross' has taken on at least five different appearances. Originally a simple market cross, it also appeared as a pillar & dial, a cistern for the 'New Water' and a stone pillar. In 1783 it was demolished and rebuilt to the design shown here by David Stephenson, a local Architect who also designed the original Theatre Royal in Mosley Street. It had a pretty little spire, with a good clock, and was ornamented on the four sides with the arms of the Mayor, Magistrates, and Sheriff. In 1808 it was dismantled and rebuilt at the north end of the Flesh Ma

Hodgkin Park: Artworks

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Hodgkin Park has a variety of artworks in both the upper and lower parks. Most were installed in 1996. William Pym also created the artwork on Wellfield Road , at the bottom of Colston Street. Upper park Lovers Gate By William Pym. These gates are at the entrance to the north of the park on Benwell Lane. The gates read "Lover's Refuge; Nature's Asylum" and "From Lover's Lane to Gretna Road". Gretna Road, originally known as Lovers Lane, is approximately a third of a kilometre to the north of the park. It runs from Fergusons Lane and Benwell Village to the West Road. Sapling By William Pym. A tree made from wrought iron and commissioned by Jacksons, a local law firm. It is dedicated to Thomas Hodgkin. Paradise gate By William Pym. South West entrance, at the corner of Milford Road and Armstrong Road. Wrought iron.  Paradise was an area to the South of the lower park, between Scotswood Road and Whitehouse Road. The Business Park occupies the site now. Par