Angel of love

Feb 15 2008 by Audrey Barton, The Journal

ICONIC sculpture the Angel of the North inspired one man to pop the question last night.

Andrew Robson, from County Durham, got down on one knee and asked for his girlfriend’s hand on the 10th anniversary of the Northern landmark.

Natasha Bone didn’t hesitate in saying yes and the proposal was all the more poignant on Valentine’s Day.

Mr Robson, 24, was compelled to ask for his lady’s hand in marriage at the site of the famous sculpture one year after the law graduate gave him a picture of the Angel silhouetted in sunset.

The pair, of Valley Grove, Bishop Auckland, had bought a ring last weekend and Andrew saw the picture at home and thought it would be the perfect setting.

“The picture was beautiful. It gave me the inspiration for where I would propose.

“I didn’t realise it was the 10th anniversary until the night before when I heard it on the news.

“The fact it was the birthday and Valentine’s Day makes is more special.”

The pair, who have been together for three years, went ring shopping last weekend and Natasha, 21, had an inkling Andrew might propose on Valentine’s Day.

“But it was getting a bit late so I thought maybe not,” she said.

“I am so ecstatic, I had no hesitation in saying yes. It was very romantic.”

The couple were the only people at the foot of the Angel, as a kind-hearted security guard let them through when Andrew told him what he had in mind.

Their moment was captured on camera forever as The Journal was present for the anniversary.

Natasha has memories of the Angel being put up when she was just 11.

“I was with my father in the car going to the MetroCentre and it was being transported in parts to put up.

“Ten years on it was just us at the Angel. It makes me think of the North East.

“ It’s lovely and I will remember this forever.”

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Year of celebrations as statue turns 10

UNVEILED amid controversy 10 years ago, the Angel of the North yesterday celebrated a decade as one of the North East’s finest icons.

And standing below the 20m sculpture, Gateshead Council staff yesterday kicked off a year of events to celebrate Antony Gormley’s best-loved work – with a cake.

Since its unveiling in 1998, more than 90,000 people see the Angel every day, and now the region will show its appreciation for the statue.

Leader of Gateshead Council Mick Henry led the celebrations.

He said: "The Angel of the North has already proved itself as a key milestone in the recognition of the North East.

"The figures that we are seeing are incredible. We’ve received millions of investment that has actually been down to the confidence people have that we can actually deliver things.

"It started out as a controversy, but it’s shown people that we will stick to our guns. So much so we were named in the top 13 in the country for our services last week."

And Coun Henry also believes that the sculpture was the catalyst for regeneration in Gateshead.

He said: "It’s given people in other regions the confidence to invest here.

"It’s going to be up there forever. It’s got an estimated lifespan of 100 to 150 years, and it can withstand winds of 110mph, so I think it’s going to be there for a long time.

"The Angel has directly led to the likes of BALTIC and The Sage Gateshead, bringing with them millions of pounds of investment and hundreds of jobs."

The region’s residents will have the opportunity to remember their own Valentines and other angels that may have touched their lives in another event.

A thousand helium-filled balloons will be launched to help local people remember their loved ones that have passed away.

Each balloon will be tied with a personal remembrance message for each individual’s relative, partner or friend.

And, as a Valentine’s tribute, the Bishop of Jarrow is launching a competition that gives people the chance to renew their vows under the Angel.

He said: "We’ve launched a competition to try and find 10 couples to renew their wedding vows under the Angel, as part of the celebrations.

"It’s a reflection of Valentine’s Day, and the day that the Angel was first constructed.

"We are asking people to write in and give their reasons for wanting to do it, and then they can do it in this wonderful spot.

"It’s very important for people here. It’s a real symbol for everyone all over the country, if not all over the world.

"A lot of people weren’t very sure about it when it first went up, but now people in the region are very proud of it.

"I think in lots of ways it’s clearly very important, particularly at a human level. I try to go down to the Angel at least once a week, because it’s quite a special place."

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Birthday illuminations

THE Angel of the North was lit up for the first time since it was anchored into place last night as the region’s media gathered to celebrate its 10th birthday.

The world-famous Antony Gormley sculpture was last lit on February 15, 1998, the day after arriving on Tyneside, as it was introduced to the masses at its new Gateshead home.

Gateshead Council confirmed last night that the landmark was designed to be viewed only in natural light, and that it had entered into an agreement with Gormley to prevent it being lit, either on a temporary or permanent basis.

But a council spokesman explained that an exception had been made for the structure’s anniversary, bathing it in white light at it’s foot, so that the region’s media could broadcast from the spot overlooking the A1.

She said: "The Angel was lit for practical reasons so that it could be viewed in all its glory. Both the BBC and Tyne Tees filmed live broadcasts from the foot of the Angel, and the cameras wouldn’t have picked it up properly if it hadn’t been lit."