Indeed Roland, we are fortunate in Newcastle to have such large green spaces like Jesmond Dene, Leazes Park and the Town Moor (where cattle still graze) all within a few minutes walk from the city centre
Great piece, Harry. I remember taking in the view from the Armstrong Bridge and detouring through Jesmond Dene as a student in no hurry to get to lectures…
Another interesting read Harry. The more I read of your stories and others, the more I question the negative stereotypes of the Victorians. It's not an era I've studied, but it seems their philanthropists were trying to correct the problems created by 18th century industrialists.
I'm no expert either Anthony, but it seems to have been part of the moral code of many wealthy industrialists. The thing a 'gentleman' does. There are exceptions. The 3rd Marquess of Londonderry for instance who comes across as a nasty piece of work and even his contemporaries thought he went too far in terms of child labour and poor wages. His treatment of his coal mining workers was still spoken about by my grandfather a century after the marquess died. My grandfather and other old miners would never speak his name referring to him as 'the man on the hoss' as there is a statue of the marquess on horseback in Durham market place, put there by his wife. The difference of course is that the likes of Armstrong and George Stephenson worked their way up so probably had some affinity for those who they employed. The marquess born into the gentry no doubt lacked that affinity.
An excellent read!
If only more green spaces were created within modern urbanisation it would be good not just for wildlife but as a place where people can enjoy it.
Indeed Roland, we are fortunate in Newcastle to have such large green spaces like Jesmond Dene, Leazes Park and the Town Moor (where cattle still graze) all within a few minutes walk from the city centre
Harry - a great read. Thanks for posting.
Thanks Marty
What a lovely place, Harry. So pleased they saved the bridge.
Thanks Maureen - and so am I, going down one bank and up the other is a climb!!
That too !
Great piece, Harry. I remember taking in the view from the Armstrong Bridge and detouring through Jesmond Dene as a student in no hurry to get to lectures…
Thanks Paul, and yes it's a lovely place for a meander….
Another interesting read Harry. The more I read of your stories and others, the more I question the negative stereotypes of the Victorians. It's not an era I've studied, but it seems their philanthropists were trying to correct the problems created by 18th century industrialists.
I'm no expert either Anthony, but it seems to have been part of the moral code of many wealthy industrialists. The thing a 'gentleman' does. There are exceptions. The 3rd Marquess of Londonderry for instance who comes across as a nasty piece of work and even his contemporaries thought he went too far in terms of child labour and poor wages. His treatment of his coal mining workers was still spoken about by my grandfather a century after the marquess died. My grandfather and other old miners would never speak his name referring to him as 'the man on the hoss' as there is a statue of the marquess on horseback in Durham market place, put there by his wife. The difference of course is that the likes of Armstrong and George Stephenson worked their way up so probably had some affinity for those who they employed. The marquess born into the gentry no doubt lacked that affinity.