Bishop Auckland‘s War Memorial lies in Market Place, a very short walk from Auckland Castle. It is inscribed, “1914 – 1919. To the men of Bishop Auckland who fought and fell in the Great War their fellow citizens have erected this memorial,” with below, “1939 – 1945. In memory of those who in a later generation made the same sacrifice as those to whom this memorial was erected.”

Bishop Auckland War Memorial from west (Auckland Tower – part of the Auckland Project – behind. Unfortunately it was too windy that day for us to be allowed access to all of the Tower but it is possible when conditions are calmer.) This side of the Memorial is inscribed, “Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends,” with the additional dedication below, “1950 – 1953. In memory of those who gave their lives in the Korean War.”

From North. The inscriptions read, “God made trial of them and found them worthy of himself,” and, “2001 – 2004. In remembrance of those who gave their lives in the Afghanistan conflict.”

War Memorial from east. Inscribed, “The souls of the righteous are in the hands of God,” with, below, “1982. In remembrance of those who gave their lives in the Falklands conflict.” The entrance to Bishop Auckland’s magnificent Mining Art Gallery – also part of the Auckland Project – can be seen to the right here:-

I posted photos of the exterior of Auckland Castle/Palace and of its chapel here.

Proceeding from the chapel into the Palace proper you come into the impressive Bishop’s Throne Room:-

Fireplace and painting:-

Ceiling:-

The Castle/Palace interior has been updated/redecorated over the years and some of the older fixtures and fittings have been kept.

Old wallpaper:-

Fireplace, chairs and table:-

Fireplace tiles:-

I can’t now remember if this stained glass window was in the chapell or elsewhere:-

Eventually the route through the Castle takes you to the Dining Room where the Zurbaran paintings are kept.

Dining Room:-

Dining Room linoleum:-

Dining Room Ceiling:-

Zurbarans Information Board:-

The last of the rooms accessible to the public is the 1930s study of the then bishop:-

Auckland Castle (also known as Auckland Palace) in the town of Bishop Auckland, County Durham, is the former palace of the Prince Bishops of Durham.

It houses a collection of paintings known as the Zurbaráns, which are definitely worth seeing.

The exterior of the Castle/Palace wasn’t at its best when we visited as there was some refurbishment work going on at the side of the Castle nearer the town. That was swathed in plastic. (Our usual luck then.)

Gateway at side:-

Bishop’s quarters:-

Visitor’s entrance. This may have been temporary due to the works:-

The Castle’s/Palace’s chapel, to the right of the entrance, is impressive.

Altar + stained glass windows:-

A marble altarpiece sits against the wall:-

The chapel organ is set on the wall above your head where you enter. The organist’s access is via wht looks like a precarious circular staircase whose upper part is seen to the right here:-

Ceiling. The ceiling isn’t curved. I stitched two photos to show it as a whole. It is elaborately painted:-

Clerestory detail:-

Marble pillar:-

We were in the Northeast of England last week. We visited Tynemouth, Durham, Bishop Auckland and Sunderland.

Tynemouth was reasonably prosperous looking, quite a few eateries and with a bustling Saturday market, Durham was busy, as you would expect from a Cathedral city. Sunderland was a typical city – in its centre anyway. (I did pass the Stadium of Light but it was in the dark.)

The attraction of Bishop Auckland was the recently refurbished Auckland Palace/Auckland Castle former home of the Prince Bishops of Durham. As part of the entry ticket we were able also to enter both Auckland Tower centrepiece of the Auckland Project (though the tower itself was closed due to high winds) and the excellent Mining Art Gallery just over the road from the tower.

The town itself though was deserted (well, it was a Sunday in England) and very run-down in appearance, empty shops prominent.

I can therefore see why the locals might want change but how on Earth they think voting Conservative will in any way improve their lot is beyond me.

The Tories’ track record in aiding the working person is poor to say the least. And for a former mining area to vote Conservative is an act either of outstanding forgetfulness – or remarkable forgiveness. This truly is a topsy-turvy age.

If I go back in five years’ time I very much doubt the town’s fortunes will have recovered.

By that time we may also have witnessed the NHS even more in hock to private provision (if not sold totally down the river,) judges neutered, Channel 4 and Ofcom eviscerated, the BBC dismantled, Parliamentary constituency boundaries redrawn to favour the Tories even more and voters without photo ID disenfranchised. Not to mention the rise of the cult of Alexander de Pfeffel.

Is all that really what the inhabitants of Bishop Auckland and its neighbouring towns desire?

There’s also a clash of mandates with respect to Scottish independence to resolve. Or not, as the case may be.

And a one-sided trade deal with the US to endure.

Plus I’ve not even touched on the EU negotiations which might still be going on.

What’s to like?