|
The Doric column was erected between 1837 and 1838 to commemorate the passing of Prime Minister Earl Grey's Great Reform Bill of 1832. The new law made Parliament more accountable and paved the way for universal suffrage.
During the 1830s Richard Grainger, planner and speculative builder, John Dobson, architect, and John Clayton, Town Clerk, embarked on the wholesale renewal of the centre of Newcastle. They swept
away the rambling and dilapidated 16th century Anderson Place and grounds, creating grand new streets and imposing buildings.
At first the site of Grey's Monument was called Seven Dials Circus,
and Grainger wanted his new Law Courts to occupy this place, but Dobson disagreed and the monument, designed by Benjamin Green, won a Town Commission competition.
The Earl's statue is by Edward
Hodges Baily, and his bonce was knocked off by lightning one stormy night during the Second World War. During 1947 local artist Roger Hedley made a new head; my previous Grey's Monument page shows more.
From the top I had commanding views of Grainger Street, left, and Grey Street, below, and I was
able to create a panorama, although as I did not have a tripod a bit of guesswork was needed in
places.
|
