Thursday 30 April 2009

"Conversation Piece " South Shields

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Spanish artist Juan Muñoz (1953-2001), came to prominence in the mid 1980s with his sculptural installations that placed human-like figures in sometimes unusual environments. His Conversation Piece shown here was installed in 1999 and consists of 22 bronze life size figures . In the distance , across the River Tyne to the north, can be seen the Knott Flats featured earlier.

Wednesday 29 April 2009

the Centre for Life

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opened in May 2000, the Centre for Life is one of fourteen UK Millennium landmark projects. It was designed by architect Terry Farrell.

Tuesday 28 April 2009

Sunday 26 April 2009

Brinkburn Priory

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Brinkburn Priory was founded in 1135 for Augustinian monks . The monastery was dissolved in 1536 and much of it was demolished. The church was extensively restored in the nineteenth century.
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Saturday 25 April 2009

Old George Yard

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Old George Yard leads from the Cloth Market to the Old George pub which dates back to the 17th Century. King Charles the First is reputed to have drank there in 1646.
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Friday 24 April 2009

the Civic Centre

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the Newcastle upon Tyne Civic Centre was designed by the city architect, George Kenyon, and was formally opened by King Olav V of Norway on the 14th November 1968.
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Thursday 23 April 2009

the Knott Flats, North Shields ( St George's Day)

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Sir James Knott (1852-1934) began his working life,at the age of 14, as a shipping clerk on Newcastle's quayside. He later qualified as a barrister and then went on to found the Prince Line,which was at the time one of the world's biggest shipping lines with over 40 ships. He became a philanthropist and in 1938 the Sir James Knott Memorial Flats and Nursery School were built in North Shields with funds provided by his charitable Trust.
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Wednesday 22 April 2009

Grey's Monument

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Charles Grey, later Earl Grey, was born in Northumberland in 1764 and became Prime Minister in 1830. The monument stands in the middle of Newcastle upon Tyne at the top of Grey Street and was built in 1838 to laud his political achievement for the passing of the Great Reform Act of 1832. He also oversaw the abolition of slavery throughout the British Empire in 1833

The column was designed by local architects John and Benjamin Green and the statue of Lord Grey was created by the sculptor Edward Hodges Baily who also created Nelsons statue in Trafalgar Square in London.

His name endures with tea drinkers world-wide because Earl Grey Tea is named after him.

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Tuesday 21 April 2009

The Cathedral Church of St Nicholas, Newcastle upon Tyne

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built 1091, destroyed by fire 1216, rebuilt in 1359 . The lantern spire was constructed in 1448 and for hundreds of years was a navigation aid for ships using the River Tyne.
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Sunday 19 April 2009

the Sage and All Saints

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the Sage concert hall, built 2005; architects, Foster & Partners.
All Saints Church was built 1786-96 to replace a medieval church on the site, it was deconsecrated in 1961
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