Sculpture to commemorate the Blaydon Races

Image: © Andrew Curtis Taken: 1 Jan 2015

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 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blaydon_Races 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 http://www.rolyveitch.20m.com/BlaydonRaces.html 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 Image http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/artwork-fitting-tribute-blaydon-races-4408554 http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/local-news/new-sculpture-unveiled-blaydon-races-1366645 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-18550904 https://www.playgroundsculptures.co.uk/gallery/bespoke-designs/blaydon-races-sculpture/

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