| Architect |
George Kenyon |
| Date
Built |
opened 1968 |
| Location |
Barras
Bridge, Newcastle |
| Description |
|
| The
Newcastle-upon-Tyne Civic Centre occupies a
site in the Haymarket area of the
city. It is home to those who
administer the city and it has been the
location of ceremonial affairs. The
building was designed by George Kenyon, the
city architect, and completed in 1967.
On November 14 1968 King Olav of Norway, who
was on a two day official visit, was given
the freedom of the city and handed the key
to the new Civic Centre to perform the
official opening. The occasion was
marked by a flypast from the RAF. The
Pathé News report of the event described the
"Magnificent Civic Centre"
as "A building of
architectural beauty and tasteful
decoration." The building
cost just under £5million to build and
among its features are a circular council
chamber and a tower housing a 25 bell
carillon.
The tower is
decorated with seahorse heads, the symbol
prominent on the city's coat of arms.
The "tasteful
decorations" referred to in the Pathé News
piece include: the impressive bronze casting of the River God Tyne" by David Wynne
"Swans in
Flight", taking off from a pool in the
inner courtyard - also by David Wynne
... a
spectacular engraved glass screen by the
New Zealand artist John Hutton featuring
the history of invention in the Tyneside
area by men like Stephenson, Parsons, Swan
and Armstrong and local mythology.
Hutton was also responsible for the Great
West Screen of Coventry Cathedral.
   |
|
|
Civic
Centre, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
 |
