A Statue Without Explanation In Islington
Every time I go between my house and the Angel, I pass this statue on Islington Green.
It is of Sir Hugh Myddelton, who was very much a hero to generations of North Londoners prior to the Second World War.
Wikipedia introduces him like this.
Sir Hugh Myddelton (or Middleton), 1st Baronet (1560 – 10 December 1631) was a Welsh clothmaker, entrepreneur, mine-owner, goldsmith, banker and self-taught engineer. The spelling of his name is inconsistently reproduced, but Myddelton appears to be the earliest, and most consistently used in place names associated with him.
So why did my parents and others, born in the early years of the twentieth century, hold Myddelton in such high esteem?
Both my parents were born close to his most famous creation; the New River. Wikipedia explains his part in the project.
Myddelton is, however, best remembered as the driving force behind the construction of the New River, an ambitious engineering project to bring clean water from the River Lea, near Ware, in Hertfordshire to New River Head in Clerkenwell, London. After the initial project encountered financial difficulties, Myddelton helped fund the project through to completion, obtaining the assistance of King James I.
I do wonder, if the generation of my parents felt affectionately about the New River because in their first few decades, it was probably the source of most of the water they drunk and used for cooking and washing.
Wikipedia doesn’t give any clue to the character of Myddelton, but I’m sure that in today’s climate, some would find him not worthy of having a statue in such a prominent place.
I do feel though, that the statue needs a display to fill out the story of a man, who did so much for London over four hundred years ago and is still benefiting from his creation.
Another Talking Statue
I took this picture of the war memorial on platform one at Paddington station.
Another Talking Statue
A voice track has now been added.
They’ve Given Hugh A Voice!
Islington is unusual in that the most prominent statue in the main commercial and shopping area of the town is not of royalty, a politician or a military figure, who is probably best forgotten.
Statue Of Sir Hugh Myddelton On Islington Green
Their main statue on Islington Green is of Sir Hugh Myddelton, who is described like this in Wikipedia.
Sir Hugh Myddelton (or Middleton), 1st Baronet (1560 – 10 December 1631) was a Welsh clothmaker, entrepreneur, mine-owner, goldsmith, banker and self-taught engineer
The statue stands where his main creation; the New River, ended its journey to bring fresh water into London. I suppose a modern equivalent would be to put a statue of Lord Coe in the Olympic Park.
They’ve now given Sir Hugh a voice, which you can listen to on your mobile phone.
Listen To Sir Hugh
This picture shows a close-up of the plaque, which details how you listen. This link takes you there.
The Statue Of Peter The Great, Deptford
Peter the Great came to Deptford and as I said in this post, I can remember a school history book, which said he worked in the shipyards there.
He may or may not, but there is a statue of him looking out over the river.
The guy sitting next to the statue, was a teacher who lived locally , who told me how he enjoyed living in Deptford
An Equestrian Double
I took these pictures yesterday outside St. George’s Hall in Liverpool.
The view of the hall would be better, if they didn’t use it as a car park!
I wonder if there is another pair of equestrian statues in the world of a royal husband and wife, where each is treated equally. I don’t think there’s another statue of a lady in such a prominent place, where the lady is riding side-saddle. Certainly, there isn’t in the UK. But there is one of Queen Elizabeth on Burmese in Regina, Saskatchewan. But then Burmese was born in that Canadian province.
I also went over St. George’s Hall for the first time. It is rather a creepy and forbidding place in the cells under the courts, which are no longer used, but the whole is a marvel of Victorian architecture. As it is right in front of the station, it is an ideal place to spend an hour or so before cstching a train. Especially, as it is a free attraction.
The Prince of Pace
I have been meaning for some time to photograph the statue of Prince Alexander Obelensky in Ipswich and finally got to do it last Monday, when I was in the town.
It is rather unusual and celebrates both his rugby and his short and tragic flying career in the RAF.
I also think it is the only public statue in Ipswich of anybody with a royal title.
I like it.
The Anonymous Widower 