Victoria Hall and Mowbray Park lake c1905. The Victoria Hall , opened in 1872 , was the scene of a great tragedy in 1883 when 2000 children at a show were offered presents and in a rush downstairs became trapped by an inward opening door. 183 died and very many were injured. A glass encased marble memorial of a mother holding a dead child was placed in Mowbray Park and not surprisingly the hall's popularity never recovered from the disaster
The WW1 memorial was built on the other side of the lake in 1920 and this part of the park seemed to be haunted with sadness in the 1920's. Many were pleased when the hall was finally demolished by a bomb in 1941. The monument was for some time placed in Bishopwearmouth Cemetry but is now back in Mowbray Park.
The disaster resulted in the law to fit outward opening doors. to all public places.
Information from Len Charlton.
