The main attraction at the Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle is a silver swan automaton. The model in itself is a beautiful object:-

Replacement parts:-

Unfortunately when we were there the swan wasn’t in operation. I think it needed maintenance work.

Hoewvere there was an explanatory video of its operation and movement. (The video is also available on YouTube. See below.) The articulation is amazing, the glass rods representinng water in motion are particularly effective. The swan “catches” and “eats” a fish at about 4.50 in the video. Real swans are of course vegetarian:-

I liked this piece of stained glass too:-

Bowes Museum is housed in an imposing building in Barnard Castle, County Durham:-

Bowes Museum and formal garden. Barnard Castle’s War Memorial is in the distance to the right here:-

Model of Bowes Museum inside museum:-

Topiary in formal garden. Barnard Castle War Memorial in background:-

Topiary from museum’s upper floor. Barnard Castle War Memorial to back left:-

This is an obelisk on a square based stepped plinth and lies in the grounds of the Bowes Museum.

There is a wood carving/sculpture to its left in this view:-

Facing view:-

Great War Dedication, “Pro Patria 1914 – 1919. In grateful remembrance of the men of Barnard Castle of all ranks who fell in the Great War. For God and King and Right they gave their all,” and names F Allison – P Finn:-

Second World War Dedication, “In memory of those who fell in the Second World War 1939- 1945,” names for World War 2, and, “They died that we might live.”

Great War names, W Fleet – T B Kipling:-

Great War names E Lee – C H Smith:-

Great War names, J T Smith – R E Young. Bowes Museum in background:-

Three photographs of the memorial to the men of the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) which lies in the grounds of Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle.

Dedication: “To all ranks of the old Barnard Castle Militia, Durham LI, who died for their country Aug 1914 – Nov 1918.”

The reverse carries the symbol of the DLI:-