While London has Nelson’s Column, Newcastle has Earl
Grey’s Monument. The Monument commemorates the contribution of Charles
Earl Grey, a Northumberland landowner, to the passing of the Great Reform Bill
of 1832.
The heroic statue actually made by Edward Hodges Bailey, the same sculptor for
Nelson on his London Column. As a result of public interest and funds, the
Monument was revealed in 1838. What Richard Grainger had originally intended to
call ‘New Dean Street’ got christened Grey Street instead in honour
of the fine new landmark.
The Monument was gently cleaned and carefully restored by The
Grainger Town Partnership in 2000. In April 2002 it will be possible to have a
closer view of the noble Earl Grey – A hologram effect likeness of his
head will be set into the base as part of a creative lighting strategy for
Grainger Town by artist Simon Watkinson for The Grainger Town Partnership.
