The Earl atop his monument...

...just to round off the Grey link from Howick Hall a few weeks ago...
Travelled into Newcastle via metro for a successful shopping expedition with my sister. Quite a lot of folk generally milling about in Old Eldon Gardens, and some  watching Wimbledon on the big screen.

I liked the interpretation board as we descended into Monument Station:

"In July 1941, during the Second World War, lightning struck the statue and the Earl's head fell on to the tram lines below. Luckily the heavy stone head did not injure any passers-by, but a local journalist reported that the damage included most of the head, but that the Earl's chin was still up!
A decision was made to keep the damaged head, with an aim to replace it once the war was over. The damaged monument became a symbol of community determination in wartime. The head was eventually re-sculpted by Roger Hedley in 1947."