In a mark of respect towards Queen Elizabeth II, a commemorative plaque that she unveiled at the official opening of the Gateshead Metro station has been restored to its former glory by two eager Nexus engineering apprentices.
After the Queen's death on September 8, Nexus - which runs the Metro system - decided to commission 19-year-old apprentices Daniel Noble, of South Shields, and Oliver Humphries 19, of Seaham, to clean the plaque at Gateshead Interchange and remove 41 years' worth of dirt and grime.
Now, thanks to the pair's hard work and a tin of Brasso, the plaque is gleaming and Metro users can see their reflection in it once again. The late Queen opened the Metro system in 1981.
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She arrived in Newcastle city centre 's Grey Street by car, before meeting Metro staff and boarding a train at Monument for the short journey over the river Tyne to Gateshead. She arrived and greeted her driver before revealing the plaque in the station concourse.
However, Her Majesty did have an extra stop on her journey - as she was also to open and officially name the QEII Metro bridge across the Tyne, a special gantry was put in place so she could alight midway across the river. The journey took place almost 41 years ago, on November 6, 1981.
Nexus customer services director Huw Lewis, said: "It’s wonderful to see the plaque that the Queen unveiled in 1981 shining brightly once again. Our apprentices have done a cracking job getting it all cleaned, polished, and looking as good as new.
"It now looks exactly like it was that day in November 1981 when scores of staff, media and civic dignitaries gathered to watch Her Majesty officially declare the Tyne and Wear Metro open on what was a historic day for our region."
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