🎩 Harry's Hidden Halifax: The Tale of Prince Albert's Memorial 🐎
"Good day, dear friends! Harry Facks here, and today I'm taking you on a rather special journey back to one of Halifax's grandest moments. Pull up a chair and let me tell you about the magnificent memorial to Prince Albert that once graced our streets.
You see, back in my Victorian days, the good people of Halifax decided to honor Queen Victoria's beloved husband, Prince Albert, with quite the spectacular tribute. And oh, what a sight it was! A magnificent bronze equestrian statue, standing proud at nine feet high, with Prince Albert himself mounted upon his favorite horse, Nimrod.
*adjusts cravat thoughtfully
Now, let me share a little secret with you - this wasn't just any old statue. The fine folks at Messrs. Elkington of Birmingham cast this beauty, weighing in at a ton and a half! Can you imagine? The whole affair, including the rather handsome Aberdeen granite pedestal, set the town back about £400 - quite the sum in those days, I can tell you!
The unveiling was quite the spectacle. Picture if you will: the streets of Halifax alive with excitement, bands playing "Rule Britannia" and "God Save the Queen," and a grand procession making its way through town. From Crossley Street to Northgate, Bull Green to Silver Street - every corner of our beloved Halifax joined in the celebration.
straightens pocket watch
Albert statue when it stood in Horton Street
The most fascinating part? The statue stood surrounded by those distinctive Victorian gas lamps - proper pieces of engineering they were! You can see them in these splendid photographs, standing like sentinels around the memorial. And that ornate iron railings! Quite the craftmanship, wouldn't you agree?
But here's something that might interest you, dear readers - the committee that brought us this magnificent monument included some of Halifax's finest citizens. They even managed to secure a likeness of the Prince while he was still with us, ensuring every detail was just so.
adjusts blue and white striped scarf
Prince Albert now stands in Albert Park
But through these remarkable photographs, we can still glimpse that proud moment when Halifax showed its respect for the Prince Consort in such grand style.
Next time you're passing through town, pause a moment and imagine that magnificent statue standing proud, surrounded by those elegant gas lamps. Close your eyes, and you might just hear the bands playing and the crowds cheering on that memorable day.
The statue now stands in Albert Park (junction of Huddersfield Road and Heath Road).
Until our next historical adventure, Your faithful guide through time, Harry Facks 🎩
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