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Public artwork on Bottle Bank below the Hilton Hotel NZ2563 : Sculpture on Bottle Bank by Peter Coates (2006) as a celebration for the life and legacy of folk fiddler, James Hill (1811-1853), the 'Paganini of hornpipe players'.

The metal plaque in the foreground bears the inscription: 'James Hill of Bottle Bank, world renowned fiddle player and composer of tunes. The finest exponent of the Newcastle hornpipe style. Most active 1842-1852.' The bench is inscribed with Hill’s song titles including 'Beeswing' NZ3003 : Sign for the Beeswing Inn, 'Bottle Bank' and 'The Hawk' (named for pub on Bottle Bank where he lived).

Alistair Anderson, artistic director of Folkworks, based at nearby Sage Music Centre, says: "Hill's tunes have spread around the English-speaking world. His best-known composition, the 'High Level hornpipe', written for the 1849 opening of the High Level Bridge NZ2563 : The High Level Bridge over the River Tyne, is viewed as a test piece in fiddle competitions from Texas Link to the west of Ireland." Newcastle Journal 28 February 2006: Link

Folk Archive Resource of the North East have a biography here: Link (Archive Link )