Northumbrian Gunner: August 2015

Friday, 28 August 2015

Seaham Tommy Statue

The Seaham Tommy monument is located at Seaham Harbour.

Tommy Monument Seaham

Seaham Harbour

Seaham Tommy and War Memorial

Standing 9ft 5ins tall the statue was built out of special corteen steel and was installed to mark the centenary of the start of the Great War. It was only expected to remain in place for three months, but after winning the hearts of hundreds of visitors to the town, it was decided that it would be exhibited permanently.

Seaham Tommy Monument

HOW ADRIFT IN THE WAKE OF THIS GLORIOUS SLAUGHTER

HE’S SEEN MANY A SOUL CLEANSED IN FILTHY WATER

SEEN GODLESS MEN REACH OUT FOR THE BIBLE

AS LEAD TORE THE FLESH FROM BOTH FRIEND AND RIVAL

SOON HOME TO JOY AND CELEBRATION OF KIN

DRUNKEN SLAPS ON THE BACK OF FAVOURITE INN

BUT HEAVY IN HIS POCKET LIES A SMALL PIECE OF CARD

AND THE NOTE WRITTEN ON IT WILL BREAK A MOTHERS HEART

Friday, 21 August 2015

Hermitage Castle Scottish Borders

The Hermitage Castle is situated in Liddlesdale in the Scottish Borders.

Hermitage Castle

Hermitage Castle Liddlesdale Scottish Borders

The Hermitage Castle occupied a key strategic position in the Scottish Borders and was fought over many times by the English and Scottish.

The original Castle was built on earthworks in the 1240's, this being developed 120 years later with the commencement of the present stone building.

Hermitage Castle Liddesdale Scottish Borders

In the 16th Century the Hermitage was adapted to counter the threat posed by gun powdered artillery by the construction of earthworks (a Ravelin) in front of the castle and gun holes punched through the thick castle walls

The practice of the time was to lay siege to a castle and fire cannon at the base of the walls with the intention to weaken and then ccreate a breach. The Ravelin would help prevent this.