James Hill Monument

Commissioned by Gateshead Council

James Hill was a composer and fiddle player at the height of his reputation in the 1850's and widely considered to be the finest exponent of the Newcastle Hornpipe style. The work, in Blaxter sandstone and bronze, takes the form of a stylised 3m tall fiddle leaning against the abutment of the Tyne bridge. It faces west with an arrangement of plinths incorporating carved and cast text. This area of Gateshead is known as 'Bottle Bank' and is the part of Tyneside most closely associated with Hill and within a stone's throw of the Sage.