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Memories of Penshaw
The Earl Of Durham Monument (1/2)
- Newspaper
- The Monument
- Two Doctors
- Reconstruction
- The Loft
- The Placard
- Historic Graffiti
- 1 Views
- 2 Tyne
- 3 Wear
- Why Pensher?
- Model
'Pensher' Monument
Written by Paul Lanagan, Chairman of Houghton-le-Spring Heritage Society
( Published by the Houghton Star )
'Pensher' Monument
The Earl of Durham Monument on Penshaw Hill
Children enjoying the wonderful views on a visit to Penshaw Monument.
The Earl of Durham Monument - Approach from The Grey Horse
[ Thanks to Sarah Stoner ]
'Pensher' Monument
The Earl of Durham Monument on Penshaw Hill
Botanist Dr David Bellamy on a visit to Penshaw Monument, 13th April 1987.
[ Thanks to Mark Madden - above David's left elbow. ]
The Earl of Durham Monument on Penshaw Hill
Son of an Usworth Miner, the future Dr Joseph Gibson CBE - with grandparents, Jane & George Thomas Mordy - mid 1920s.
Joseph went to Washington Grammar School and became a full-time Board Member of the NCB.
[ Thanks to Joseph's son, David Gibson. See: What's Where; People: Gibson / Joseph or CLICK ME. ]
'Pensher' Monument
RECONSTRUCTION
The Earl of Durham Monument on Penshaw Hill
Reconstruction / Underpinning of Foundations - circa 1979.
[ Photographer: Ken Brumby. Thanks to Son, Paul. ]
The Earl of Durham Monument on Penshaw Hill
Reconstruction / Underpinning of Foundations - circa 1979.
'Pensher' Monument
THE LOFT
The Earl of Durham Monument on Penshaw Hill
Local Historian & Author, Keith Cockerill enjoying the Wonderful Views from The Loft (walkway) - 29/08/11.
[ Thanks Keith. ]
The Earl of Durham Monument on Penshaw Hill
Information made available by Paul Lanagan
The Monument has a Loft - two Channels - set into the Roof. The South Channel is accessed via a spiral staircase inside a Column.
The North Channel can only be reached by climbing over one of the triangular Pediments from the South Channel.
'Pensher' Monument
THE PLACARD
Placard on the long South Side of The Monument
[ Photo: J.G. 9 July 2018 ]
THIS STONE WAS LAID BY
THOMAS, EARL OF ZETLAND
GRAND MASTER OF THE FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF ENGLAND
ASSISTED BY
THE BRETHEREN OF THE PROVENCES OF DURHAM AND NORTHUMBERLAND
ON THE 28TH AUGUST 1844
BEING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF A MEMORIAL TO BE ERECTED
TO THE MEMORY OF
JOHN GEORGE EARL OF DURHAM
WHO
AFTER REPRESENTING THE COUNTY OF DURHAM IN PARLIAMENT
FOR FIFTEEN YEARS
WAS RAISED TO THE PEERAGE
AND SUBSEQUENTLY HELD THE OFFICES OF
LORD PRIVY SEAL, AMBASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY AND
MINISTER AT THE COURT OF ST. PETERSBURG AND
GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF CANADA.
HE DIED ON THE 28TH OF JULY 1840 IN THE 49TH YEAR OF HIS AGE
THE MONUMENT WILL BE ERECTED
BY THE PRIVATE SUBSCRIPTIONS OF HIS FELLOW COUNTRYMEN
ADMIRERS OF HIS DISTINGUISHED TALENTS AND
EXEMPLARY PRIVATE VIRTUES.
DONATED TO THE NATIONAL TRUST ON 1ST SEPTEMBER 1939
Transcript of The Placard
'Pensher' Monument
THREE AULD CHISELLERS
Historic Graffiti, 1946: A small collection from the many names chiselled onto The Earl of Durham Monument.
L to R: John Scott, Pat Keegan & John Sweeney - returning to the scene.
Three Washington Lads who've moved on, but won't be forgotten!
[ Thanks to John's brother, Pat Sweeney, for contributing this Photo & Poem, and to Leon Morgan for forwarding them to us. ]
PENSHAW
And did those Three in ancient time
Walk upon England's pastures green?
And were Keegan, Sweeney and Scott
On Penshaw's little mountain seen?
Then Scott did say, "I'll bring my chisel,
And with my little hammer in hand,
I'll carve our names so deep and true,
On Penshaw's Grecian Temple grand."
And half a century from now,
A band of weary travellers perchance may pass,
To marvel, lost in reverential awe,
Then downhill returning, to those Ancients, raise a glass.
Poem written by one of the 'Three Naughty Boys'.
NOW: P. Keegan, Sweeney & Scott, 1946
[ Photo: J.G. 9 July 2018 ]
• • ◊ • •
PLEASE NOTE
Carving your name onto Public Buildings / Monuments is no longer regarded as a youthful prank. It's a Criminal Offence!
'Pensher' Monument
VIEWS TO & FROM
POSTCARD
View from the Road Junction / Level Crossing at Coxgreen Station.
[ See Picture Below ]
VIEW FROM MONUMENT
From Coxgreen Station, follow the Road down to Coxgreen Village and the River Wear.
Note Washington Chemical Works, Empty Fields & Washington 'F' Pit Heap
[ The River Wear, hidden in the trees, runs horizontally, mid-picture. ]
PHOTOGRAPH 1850
Washington Chemical Works to Penshaw Monument
VIEW FROM MONUMENT
Note the Road leading from Coxgreen Station to Coxgreen Village.
[ Photo: J.G. 7th March 2017 ]
FROM USWORTH STATION
View from the Level Crossing towards Washington Station. Penshaw Monument is behind Hillthorn Farm.
FROM MARBLE ARCH
Diesel Multiple Unit passing Barmston Village en route from Usworth Station (left) to Washington Station (right).
FROM HIGH WASHINGTON FARM
High Washington Farm was situated just South of the section of Village Lane that ran past Raft Yard and Havannah Terrace.
'Pensher' Monument
VIEW FROM LORD COLLINGWOOD'S MONUMENT, TYNEMOUTH
VIEW ACROSS THE MOUTH OF THE RIVER TYNE
Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood - Hero of Trafalgar - looks over South Shields Town Hall to Penshaw Monument.
The Collingwood Memorial was erected in 1845. Penshaw Monument was erected in 1844.
The Guns from Collingwood's Ship, Royal Sovereign, were added in 1849.
Herd Sand (Beach) and Herd Groyne Lighthouse (Red)
[ Photograph by Keith Cockerill, 2008. ]
COLLINGWOOD MONUMENT PLAQUE
[ Photographer Unknown ]
'Pensher' Monument
VIEWS FROM THE RIVER WEAR
VIEW FROM FATFIELD BRIDGE
Looking downstream from close to the Cooperative Store / Havelock Arms.
VIEW FROM WORM HILL
Fatfield Bridge and the Biddick Inn are off picture, bottom-right.
Note North Biddick Colliery Pit Heap, top-left.
THE APPROACH TO VICTORIA VIADUCT
After leaving Washington Station the (once double) Railway Track curves 90 degrees to cross the River Wear. Note the Bridge Fence.
[ Photographer: Bryan Attewell - 2010 ]
VIEW FROM COXGREEN FOOTBRIDGE
Photographed by Keith Cockerill, shortly after the Bridge was built in 1958.
Why 'Pensher' Monument?
This area was called Pensher years ago and most locals still pronounce it that way.
( As a former Usworth Green lad, I lived next to Pensher View! )
NEW
PENSHER
1867
[ Photographer: Keith Cockerill, 3 March 2017 ]
This Roadside Stone stands near the former Cox Green Station, opposite the road heading down to Coxgreen Village.
NEW
PENSHER
1867
[ Photographer: Keith Cockerill, 22 November 2021 ]
Model of 'Pensher' Monument
A MODEL OF PENSHAW MONUMENT
The Old Hall and Flagpole
Model of Penshaw Monument based on a Bird Table.
[ Photographs: Keith Cockerill, 30 May 2022 ]