Grainger Memorial Fountain

When we talk of Newcastle's historical heart, architecturally-speaking, we often refer to it as 'Grainger Town'. The man in question, Richard Grainger, was the great nineteenth century entrepreneur who ripped the disintegrating, rotting core out of the town, and gave us the neo-classical look and feel of the modern-day city. The majestic sweep of Grey Street is the crowning glory, of course, but there are dozens of other thoroughfares and hundreds of buildings scattered across Newcastle's central square mile that owe their creation to the man and his architect side-kick, John Dobson.

Perhaps, then, Richard Grainger should have a statue in his honour in the city he essentially created. If not atop a column like Earl Grey, but at least something along the lines of the Joseph Cowen monument near Cross House, or the Lord Armstrong affair near The Hancock. Instead, though, hidden in a quiet backwater off Waterloo Street, we have this:

(click on image to enlarge)

And it wasn't as if the locals or their leaders put this modest effort together, it was actually done out of sheer compulsion, thus:

So it was their daughter, Rachel, who saw to it that her parents got the praise they deserved. Presumably it was paid for out of Rachel's estate, too. If it wasn't for her, there'd be NO monument to her dad and his wife. Remarkable. 

Here's a couple of other shots:

It may now sit in sad isolation, but it once enjoyed a more prominent situate at the base of the Stephenson Monument near St.John's Church. Here's an Edwardian shot of the scene as it appeared on an old postcard:

Sources vary, but it seems the monument was moved prior to road 'improvements' in the 1950s. Whether it was moved straight to its Waterloo Street spot at this point, or at some later stage following cold storage, I know not. Perhaps someone out there can help me out on this point.

It's 1892 unveiling did at least make the local press:

The story of the Grainger Memorial Fountain is a sad one. For all Richard Grainger did for the city, the best we can do by way of acknowledgement is a modest pile of granite and an accompanying horse trough stuck away on some seldom-visited backstreet.

In the unlikely event that Newcastle City Council have a few bob to spare at some point in the future they could do worse than throwing up a proper statue to the great man ... and a one for the equally-esteemed John Dobson, too, in fact!

 

The Wait Was Finally Over. Twelve Months On.

Exactly one year ago today, I, like several thousands of other long-suffering Newcastle United fans, experienced one of the greatest, relief-ridden moments of my life. I hope that local fans of other persuasions - and indeed the many non-football enthusiasts out there - will excuse my little burst of self-indulgence. The story is a brief and simple one, and is perhaps best explained in the opening passage of my recently-published book, Novocastrian:

(click on images to enlarge)

I promise not to mention it again. Probably for the best anyway, as every time I relive the moment I just start to cry....

Bucks' Panorama of Newcastle, 1745

I was recently, and somewhat reluctantly, dragged into a charity shop in Blaydon by my wife in search of God-knows-what, when I spotted the following for sale for £8:

(click on image to enlarge)

Here's a little zoom-in:

As us sad, mad map-keen enthusiasts know, this is the 1745 panorama of the town of Newcastle as drawn by those prolific topographical engravers/draughtsmen, Samuel & Nathaniel Buck. Well, I couldn't resist, could I? So under the disapproving gaze of my better half, I quickly snaffled it and made my way triumphantly to the car. She's not spoken to me since.

Anyway, here are the brothers in question:

If you want a better image of the Newcastle pic in question (and, perhaps, a close-up of the accompanying text) then the two websites here and here are the places to head. Very nice.

And as for the brothers' backstory - and, indeed, the tale of their Newcastle panorama in particular - I turned to that most excellent of tomes, Newcastle upon Tyne: Mapping the City (see my dedicated blog post). Here's their take on on the subject on pages 53-56. As ever, click on the images to enlarge:

I'm sure the lads who put this superb book together won't mind me reproducing the text, for it is an excellent effort, and essential reading for those interested in the history of this part of the world. It is widely available online if you want to get yourself a copy. Go on, treat yourself.

The question remains, though: what the heck am I going to do with my oversized purchase? I think my wife might have a suggestion....