Monument Sat. 1st July, 2000

He stands on a column of 41 metres (133ft) atop a pediment of 4.5 metres (14ft), and commands a unrivalled rooftop view of the city. He is Earl Grey, inventor of tea mixtures and Prime Minister responsible for passing the 1832 Government Reform Bill that paved the way for modern parliament in this country.

Below its base lies buried a Victorian Glass time capsule containing the original plans for the monument, and some gold and silver coins and medals donated by the then Mayor, John Fenwick. It was completed in 1838, and the city's church bells pealed for the grand unveiling on 24th August.

Earl Grey looks south down Grainger Street, here seen thronging with Saturday shoppers. The earl was sculpted by Edward Baily, afterwards chosen to create Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square, London in 1839.

Richard Grainger came from humble beginnings to become the brains behind the development of the central commercial heart of the city. His master stroke was to purchase Anderson Place, a rambling mansion within 12 acres of ground in the city centre. He promptly demolished the mansion and linked with architect, John Dobson, and Town Clerk, John Clayton to save the centre from the worst excesses of Victorian development.

At the junction of Grey Street and Blackett Street stands the elegant Eldon Grill, for many years the most famous gay meeting place in the region. Built in 1893 its graceful lines belie its namesake.

John Scott Eldon (1751 -1838) was the son of a wealthy Newcastle coal family. His chances were spoilt for a while by his elopement with Bessie Surtees, but he soon regained favour, becoming a lawyer and later High Chancellor of England. He was a profound anti-Catholic and Conservative, fighting change at every opportunity. He was renowned for slowing the legal process in England to a snail's pace. It is fitting that the area named after him should have been the site of one of the most radical city building developments of the 20th century.

On the opposite side of Blackett Street is the new Monument Mall, a clever fusion of old styles and new technology. It replaces an rather dull and impractical 1920s office block and a glass plated corner shop cobbled together from lego leftovers in the 1960s. Buses are the only vehicles allowed to pass through here, it being very much "people centred". This was once one of the most congested and dangerous traffic junctions in the city. It is now a popular meeting place and arena for performing arts and musicians.

To the left of the Mall you can see a section of the Brunswick Methodist Church in Brunswick Place, a narrow medieval lane leading to Northumberland Street.

The simple lines of this brick faced building date from 1815, just predating the surrounding development. Fenwick's Department Store is to the right, dating from 1923, although Mr. J. J. Fenwick had been trading here in fine clothing since 1882. He was also that Mayor who contributed trinkets for the time capsule under the monument.

For many years the Brunswick Methodist Church has offered its "Listening Ear", attempting to alleviate the stress of life by dispensing helpings of empathy and tea.

The white building to the left is the rear of Emerson Chambers, featured on 20th May, 2000.