2015
NZ1863 : Sculpture to commemorate the Blaydon Races
taken 11 years ago, near to Blaydon, Gateshead, England
This is 1 of 2 images, with title Sculpture to commemorate the Blaydon Races in this square

Sculpture to commemorate the Blaydon Races
The sculpture is situated on the south bank of the River Tyne close to the railway line and Keelman's Way cycle track. It was unveiled in 2012 as part of celebrations of the 150th anniversary of the famous Tyneside song, The Blaydon Races written by Geordie Ridley, which is about the journey to the event on 9th June 1862 Link
The sculpture was commissioned by Gateshead Council close to the site of the Blaydon horse races which from 1861 were held on an island in the River Tyne known as Blaydon Island or Dents Meadow. The first race had been held in 1811 on the site now occupied by Blaydon Railway Station. After removal of the island, dredging and realigning of the river by the Tyne Improvement Commission, races were again revived in 1887 on land at Stella Haugh. The last was held in 1916 Link
The work by sculptor Andrew McKeown represents the horses and jockeys as they approach the finishing line. There are three life-size horses and riders, a three-metre tall winning post, and two five-metre high flagpoles made with galvanized steel plate, and pipe.
It is intended that the flagpoles will make the artwork stand out in its riverside location beside the new footpath and cycleway from Blaydon Burn to Stella, from passing trains on the Newcastle to Carlisle railway and even, with difficulty, from the north bank of the river NZ1863 : Sculpture to commemorate the Blaydon Races.
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The sculpture was commissioned by Gateshead Council close to the site of the Blaydon horse races which from 1861 were held on an island in the River Tyne known as Blaydon Island or Dents Meadow. The first race had been held in 1811 on the site now occupied by Blaydon Railway Station. After removal of the island, dredging and realigning of the river by the Tyne Improvement Commission, races were again revived in 1887 on land at Stella Haugh. The last was held in 1916 Link
The work by sculptor Andrew McKeown represents the horses and jockeys as they approach the finishing line. There are three life-size horses and riders, a three-metre tall winning post, and two five-metre high flagpoles made with galvanized steel plate, and pipe.
It is intended that the flagpoles will make the artwork stand out in its riverside location beside the new footpath and cycleway from Blaydon Burn to Stella, from passing trains on the Newcastle to Carlisle railway and even, with difficulty, from the north bank of the river NZ1863 : Sculpture to commemorate the Blaydon Races.
Link
Midday, New Year's Day 2015
A collection of photographs taken around noon on New Year's Day 2015 by Geographers from all over Great Britain, Ireland and the Isle of Man.
View all the photos on a map here: Link
