May 28, 2010 Grey's Monument

The magnificent Grey's Monument in Newcastle was erected in 1838 which makes it 172 years old and commemorates Earl Charles Grey II who was Prime Minister of the UK & Ireland from 1830 - 1834 and was the main architect in seeing the Reform Act through the House of Commons in 1832.
The Reform Act of 1832 saw the reform of the House of Commons and the abolition of slavery throughout the British Empire in 1833.
The column is 135 feet high which is about 16 feet lower than Nelson's Column in London, however it is about 12 years older.

Earl Grey Tea blend is named after Earl Grey, who reputedly received a gift, probably a diplomatic perquisite, of tea flavoured with bergamot oil, taken from bergamot, a citrus fruit typical ofSoutheast Asia and grown commercially in Italy.

According to one legend, a grateful Chinese mandarin whose son was rescued from drowning by one of Lord Grey's men first presented the blend to the Earl in 1803. The tale has no basis in fact, as Lord Grey never set foot in China and the use of bergamot oil to scent tea was then unknown in China.