Penshaw Monument

Had to venture into Mackem land today for a business appointment and on the way back I drove past this monument. At first I thought it was the the Stadium of Light but then realised it was far too well built! It is actually a half size replica of The Temple of Hephaestus in Athens (so there!) and was commissioned for some unbeknown reason by a former Earl of Durham in 1844. Funny lot they are down there, just along the road they once apparently found a dragon in the river Wear and called it the Lambton Worm and gave it pride of place in Mackem Folklore! For the uninformed Mackem is the affectionate name for anybody who comes from Sunderland! and hails from the way they would say 'make them'. The Stadium of Light is the name of the ground in this little town in Durham where the local football team play. Educational evening tonight, I will be testing you all later in the week to make sure you've been paying attention!