Chi Onwurah MP

Labour MP for Central Newcastle, Chi Onwurah, speaking against the so-called Bedroom Tax at a rally at Grey's Monument Newcastle on Saturday 

at Grey's Monument

Newcastle All Stars

The accomplished Newcastle All Stars Steel Orchestra entertaining shoppers at Grey's Monument recently

Open Your Eyes

Many public sector workers are on strike today in protest against Government plans to alter their pension entitlements. Protest 'camps' have also sprung up in various city centres, including a small one at the base of Grey's Monument in Newcastle, where this picture was taken.

street art

a street artist at work near Grey's Monument   in central Newcastle upon Tyne

keep the red flag flying high

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the National Union of Teachers met in Newcastle last weekend and had a gathering at Greys Monument

The Alternative Option

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Every December a Christmas market is held around Grey's Monument on Grey Streeet and Grainger Street ; some stall holders are from other European countries. This stall's name and the rare hairstyle was just too good to miss.

Dance City at Greys Monument

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Dance City is an arts organisation for the North East of England "which nurtures social transformation and artistic excellence through creative movement." www.dancecity.co.uk/
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the Monument Metro Station

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the Tyne and Wear Metro system has 60 stations serving the area around Newcastle, Gateshead, and Sunderland. The tracks go underground in the middle of Newcastle and the Monument station is located in the city centre at the top of Grey Street. The base of Grey's monument can be see in this photo, as can one of the entrances to Fenwick' s department store. J.J. Fenwick's was founded in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1882.

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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