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Heading
out of town, we've just time to pause at the back of the Merrion
centre...
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Androgyne
Glen Hellman, 1965 |
Perhaps
the most bizarre-looking of all Leeds' creations, this fibreglass
sculpture was the winning entry in a competition in the 1960s when
the Merrion Centre first opened.
It can still be foundtucked away behind the centre.
From here, head up past the University to
Woodhouse Moor.
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Henry
Rowland Marsden
John Throp, 1878 |
This
statue on Woodhouse Moor commemorates one of Leeds' Victorian mayors.
Holbeck-born
Marsden was noted for his generosity, and is also credited with
founding the Leeds Music Festivalin 1874.
The
statue was funded by contributions from the Leeds public, and sculpted
using marble left over from the Albert Memorial.
Marsden
Mount, where the former mayor stands, is also the start of a popular
nature walk - the Meanwood Valley Trail.
Across
the road in Hyde Park, there is more than one recognisable figure.
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Queen
Victoria Memorial
George Frampton, 1901 |
The
sculpture of Queen Victoria is one of many memorials erected across
the country after her death in 1901. Victoria sits on a high plinth,
bearing an orb and book.
The female figures round the base are supposed to represent the
four main dominions.
South
Africa is missing, but you can still see the others - India in front,
Canada to the left, and Australia to the rear.
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Duke
of Wellington
Baron Carlo Marochetti, 1854 |
Arthur
Wellesley, or the Iron Duke as he was known, was commander of the
British army at Waterloo and the Prime Minister of Great Britain
and Ireland.
The
Duke stands in Hyde Park, opposite Leeds University.
it
was perhaps one enthusiastic student who decided that his boots
would look better with a lick of red paint.
His
sculptor, Marochetti worked upon the Arc de Triumph and the Victoria
and Albert memorial.
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| Sir
Robert Peel |
Last
of the great men in Hyde Park, Sir Robert Peel can be found near
the Hyde Park Corner.
An
important political figure in the 19th century, Peel spent two terms
as Prime Minister and is credited with establishing the Metropolitan
Police Force in 1829.
He
was also the founder of the Conservative Party.
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