The Monument to Earl Grey is an important landmark in Newcastle. Completed in 1838 it stood untouched until a bolt of lightning sent the statue's head crashing to the pavement in the 1940's and a new one was sculpted in 1947 by Roger Hedley.
Although it appears on the Monuments and Statues page I thought it also deserved a page of its own.
With the Monument Metro Station conveniently situated along side, the imposing statue of Earl Grey and the steps leading up to it are used as a meeting place all year round, somewhere to have your lunch in the Summer and a focal point for protests, demonstrations and musical performances as well as a site for people to display their information about various causes and activities.
In the Winter the now traditional Continental Christmas Market sets up stalls as well as the monthly famers market. At Christmas time the sky lights up with the christmas lights both on and around the 135 foot column.
There can't be many visitors or residents of Newcastle who haven't lingered at the Monument for one reason or another!
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