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Discover Horsham’s Dinosaurs

Adrien Sina’s work displayed alongside the displays of dinosaur bones!

Horsham Museum and Art Gallery’s latest exhibition, ‘Dinosaurs of Horsham – Art, Reality and Fun’, was opened by Horsham District Council Chairman, Christian Mitchell, last Friday. The exhibition runs until 5th September 2016 and is set to be a school summer holiday favourite!

Victorian Palaeontologist George Bax Holmes

Horsham District Council Chairman, Christian Mitchell, says “My time as Chairman has already given me a sense of time and place in the procession of Horsham’s history. It’s amazing to think that Dinosaurs roamed our District. History allows us to understand the past and glimpse the future.”

Dinosaurs have fuelled the imaginations of scientists, palaeontologists and artists since their discovery in the early 19th century. This exciting exhibition brings together these interests and reinterprets them for the 21st century.

The spirit of discovery remains alive and well in the Horsham District. In 1996 the brain biologist, palaeontologist and composer, Dr William Blows, identified dinosaur bones, previously ascribed as being Iguanodon, as being a new species of dinosaur which he named the Horshamosaurus. He says “This exhibition forms the culmination of a lot of fascinating work which is vindicated by bringing it to the public.”

A 19th century sketch of the Lower Jaw of a Young Iguanodon

The archaeological displays and contemporary art are united by the story of George Bax Holmes, a respected local Quaker, who acquired his interest in fossils and geology in about 1837. It was in 1840 that he noticed a dark mass in some freshly quarried Horsham stone. Some of these fossilized bones form part of the exhibition displays. They became known as the Great Horsham Iguanadon. Bax’s daughters, Mary and Gulielma, recorded his finds in a series of remarkable drawings.

The scale of these finds fired the imaginations of the Victorians who produced huge model dinosaurs which were unveiled at the world’s first theme park at Sydenham, where the Crystal Palace was moved to after the 1851 Great Exhibition in Hyde Park. Curator, Jeremy Knight says “Little did George Bax Holmes realise that this discovery would catapult him into the world of The Great Exhibition of 1851.”

Alongside the ancient is the work of two contemporary artists. Their work centres around the interpretations of the dinosaur models at Sydenham.

Toby Tatum’s film installation invites us to revisit these dinosaurs. His layered approach to film making re-contextualizes these grand, imagined creatures as though in a series of follies in a private garden. There is a sense of what Toby describes as “collaging chronology” – the layering of time.

Left to right: Councillor Jonathan Chowen, Adrien Sina, HDC Chairman Christian Mitchell, Dr William Blows and Toby Tatum

International architect, artist, sometimes curator and performance art historian, Adrien Sina, has produced a series of works based around the juxtaposition and contradiction of the cultural interpretation of the dinosaur bones in the 19th century, with the scientific observation of the fossils themselves. Adrien is keen to articulate the “generosity of sharing knowledge in the Victorian period.”

This generosity of spirit and a desire to share knowledge and understanding is apparent throughout this exciting exhibition.

‘Dinosaurs of Horsham – Art, Reality and Fun’ is on at the Horsham District Council Horsham Museum & Art Gallery, The Causeway, Horsham, until 5th September 2016. There is much to delight old and young alike! Entrance to the Museum and exhibition is free. For more information go to www.horshammuseum.org or telephone 01403 254959.

By Rupert Toovey, a senior director of Toovey’s, the leading fine art auction house in West Sussex, based on the A24 at Washington. Originally published in the West Sussex Gazette.

The Life and Collection of an Eclectic Bookworm

The Michael Gilkes Collection of Travel and Exploration Books

Toovey’s are pleased to be offering the Travel and Exploration Book Collection of Michael Gilkes FRCS, FRCOphth., FRGS (1923-2014). This wonderful set of books, including one of the best private collections of polar-related books in the UK, form part of a Gilkes family collective memory. Michael’s daughter, Hester Gilkes, recalls: ‘The imposing and mysterious spines, many with beautiful gold-embossed images on them, lined the bookshelves of Dad’s study – as intriguing and mysterious as the countries and exploits concealed within their pages. All the family recall the books. Our lives were almost dominated by them; tomes on almost every conceivable subject were available for consultation.’

Michael Transporting Foggy Dew — Michael Transporting the 'Foggy Dew', a yacht he built in his back garden

The books go back further than just him, of course. His grandfather, or one of them, was A.H. Gilkes, headmaster of Dulwich College. His library survived, in part, to be passed on to Michael – erudite books in mass-produced Victorian editions, the mark of a prolific reader. At some point the books had been stored on newly painted shelves, and some had spots of black paint adhering to the bottom edges. One of his children recalls reading The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, each page of the enormous work having to be carefully separated from the rest as it was turned. His mother, Denne Parker, an accomplished classical singer, had married Martin Gilkes, a poet and lecturer at Birmingham University, adding other elements to the family library. There are even books belonging to William Gilkes, who back in the early 19th century had married Mary Hemming of the Showers in Herefordshire. This Quaker ancestor had assembled a collection of those books ‘it was most needful for men to know’: Homer, Virgil and the Bible.

Michael at Shackletons Grave, South Georgia

It really began, though, with books on the Antarctic, which Michael started to acquire prior to his posting as a newly qualified doctor to the whaling station on South Georgia in 1946, mainly based at Leith, but also at Grytviken. Upon qualification as a doctor, a gift from his great uncle, Michael Parker, an Oxford don and expert on the Roman army, permitted the acquisition of the three volumes of The South Polar Times. Over the next sixty-odd years, the collection expanded to reflect his growing range of subject-related interests, and now includes – in addition to the general Antarctic section – named Antarctic expeditions, whales and whaling, works on the great explorers Columbus, Cook, Scott, Amundsen and Shackleton, a fine section on cartography, islands and North and South America, including an extensive section on Patagonia.

During a long and rich life, this passion for adventure would see Michael crewing on an America’s Cup Race, living and working for a time researching glaucoma in both Jerusalem and the Gambia, building his own thirty-foot yacht in his back garden and sailing her around Britain and over to Europe, and traveling extensively, particularly in South America. On his retirement from his career as an ophthalmic surgeon, he made a number of voyages back to Antarctica – the region which fascinated and drew him the most.

Like Kipling’s The Elephant’s Child, the books in this catalogue reflect a ‘satiable curiosity’ for exploration, and an inspirational hunger for the new and undiscovered.

The Spirit of Adventure Discovered in a Sussex Library

An important single-owner library collection will be sold at auction by Toovey’s, at their Washington salerooms, on Monday 11th July 2016. This exceptional private collection reflects the diverse interests of the Sussex based adventurer and bibliophile, Michael Gilkes (1923-2014).

I am in the company of Toovey’s Book Specialist, Nicholas Toovey, and Book Cataloguer, Becky Johnson. Nicholas comments “It’s exciting to see a collection focused on the particular interests of a man whose passion for adventure, sailing and the Scottish Islands never left him.” Becky agrees and says “There is a real depth of understanding expressed in this library.”

The South Polar Times, estimate £5000-7000

In 1946 Michael Gilkes received a posting, as a newly qualified doctor, to the Salvesen whaling fleet based in Leith and Grytviken, South Georgia. In preparation he began to acquire books on Antarctica. A generous post qualification gift from his great-uncle enabled Michael to purchase ‘The South Polar Times’ and the collection was born. These wonderful volumes contain the signature of Edward Evans, who was offered the post of second-in-command on Robert Scott’s fateful expedition to the South Pole in 1910-1913 on the Terra Nova. Evans accompanied Scott to within 150 miles of the Pole but was sent back suffering from scurvy, indirectly saving his life. Scott and his remaining fellow explorers would perish on the return from the Pole.

This remarkable collection is alive with historical connections like this.

An Account of the Norwegian Antarctic Expedition, 1910-1912, signed by Roald Amundsen, estimate £700-1000

Amongst the books is ‘The South Pole, an Account of the Norwegian Antarctic Expedition in the ‘Fram’, 1910-1912’ which is signed by the Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen. It describes his success in the race against Scott to be the first to reach the South Pole.

South, The Story of Shackleton’s Last Expedition 1914-1917, estimate £500-800

The third figure in this heroic age of Antarctic exploration was Sir Ernest Shackleton. Shackleton led three expeditions to Antarctica. His last adventure is captured in ‘South, Story of Shackleton’s Last Expedition 1914-1917’ which is accompanied by letters from the radio broadcaster and polar explorer, Duncan Carse. Disaster struck when Shackleton’s ship, Endurance, was trapped and crushed in the ice pack. The crew were forced to camp on the sea ice until it broke up. Once it melted, Shackleton led an extraordinary voyage in Endurance’s life boats. They covered more than 720 nautical miles across treacherous seas to reach South Georgia.

Dr Michael Gilkes shared these explorers’ adventurous spirit and thirst for knowledge, discovery and understanding.

Adventurer, bibliophile and sailing enthusiast, Michael Gilkes

Over more than 60 years, the collection expanded to reflect his growing range of subject-related interests, which included – in addition to the general Antarctic section – named Antarctic expeditions, whales and whaling, works on the great explorers: Columbus, Cook, Scott, Amundsen, and Shackleton, a fine section on cartography, islands, and North and South America, including an extensive section on Patagonia. Sailing and Scotland are also represented.

During a long and rich life, Michael’s passion for adventure saw him crew on an America’s Cup Race. He lived and worked in both Jerusalem and the Gambia whilst researching Glaucoma. He built his own 30 foot yacht in his back garden and sailed her around Britain and to Europe. He travelled extensively, particularly in South America. Once Dr Gilkes had retired from his career as an ophthalmic surgeon he made a number of voyages back to Antarctica – the region which most continued to fascinate and draw him.

Nicholas Toovey concludes “The breadth of the library displays a lively mind and a man who combined a curiosity about the world with a desire to constantly add to his knowledge and understanding.”

The Michael Gilkes Collection will be auctioned on Monday 11th July at 1.30pm. For more information on this remarkable single owner library collection contact Toovey’s book specialist, Nicholas Toovey on 01903 891955, or visit www.tooveys.com.

Sussex Celebration of Motorsport at Goodwood

Nick Mason in the 1936 Auto Union Type C

The 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed once again played host to many of the biggest names in motorsport. An extraordinary display of automotive design and excellence, dating from the early 1900s to the present day, sped up the now famous Goodwood Festival of Speed hill climb.

Andrew Bernardi celebrating the sights and sounds at Goodwood Festival of Speed

Last weekend I joined Shipley Arts Festival Director, Andrew Bernardi, at the 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed. As many of you will know Andrew is as passionate about cars and motorsport as he is about music. A longstanding member of the GRRC, Goodwood Road Racing Club, there was much to delight his senses in this annual spectacle.

Part of the extraordinary BMW display on the lawns of Goodwood House

This year the 100th anniversary of BMW was celebrated. German rivals and Le Mans winners, Porsche, were also much in evidence, as were Mercedes, with Formula One drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg attending this exceptional Sussex celebration of motorsport.

Rolls Royce, McLaren, Jaguar and Bentley were amongst the stars of the British contingent moving at pace up this celebrated climb.

One of the highlights for me was Nick Mason’s spirited drive in the revolutionary 1936, 6.0 litre supercharged V16 Auto Union Type C. He is highly regarded not only as Pink Floyd’s drummer but also as a true connoisseur of racing and sports cars. Based here in Sussex, Nick is no stranger to the race track having competed at Le Mans on numerous occasions. The car’s extraordinary torque and 500bhp can spin the wheels at 100mph and presented him with a wonderful driving opportunity. The Auto Union’s outing at Goodwood marked 80 years since this car first appeared at Shelsey Walsh and Donnington.

Marino Franchitti driving the Ford GTE LM

Another anniversary was being celebrated by Ford. No one could have dared to dream that Ford would return to Le Mans in 2016, 50 years after the incredible GT40 Le Mans win in 1966, and take a class win. Marino Franchitti drove for Ford at Le Mans this year and took the wheel at Goodwood of a Ford GTE LM on the Goodwood hill climb. Although the new car bears some family resemblance to the GT40 its revolutionary aerodynamics, carbon-fibre monocoque design and twin turbo engine defines it very much as a car of the 21st century.

The weekend had the atmosphere of a huge motoring party.

As the reverberation and exuberant sound of racing cars and bikes at Goodwood Festival of Speed ended the cacophony of sound, the smell of racing oil and tyres and the spectacle of speed and colour fades to memory and thoughts turn to the evocative 2016 Goodwood Revival. This year’s three-day event will be held on the 9th -11th September. The Goodwood Revival celebrates the halcyon days of motor racing with the accompanying glamour of the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s. For more information or to buy tickets visit www.goodwood.com.

By Rupert Toovey, a senior director of Toovey’s, the leading fine art auction house in West Sussex, based on the A24 at Washington. Originally published in the West Sussex Gazette.

St Mary’s House, Hospitality over Centuries

Over the centuries people have journeyed along ancient Sussex lanes in the shadow of the Downs. These Pilgrim routes brought people to the important bridge at Bramber and to St Mary’s House and Gardens which still welcomes visitors today.

In Saxon and medieval times Steyning was an important port. The Adur estuary was much wider than it is today. In the late 11th century William de Braose had built the castle at Bramber to protect the estuary and town.

Rupert Toovey and the pilgrim’s bridge at St Ives, Cambridgeshire

A great stone bridge, now lost, crossed the Adur. It was built with a chapel upon it. The Priory at Sele had responsibility for its upkeep and repair. The bridge at St Ives in Cambridgeshire was built in the 1420s. With its bridge chapel it allows us to glimpse what the bridge at Bramber may have looked like. The bridge at Bramber would have brought pilgrims to St Mary’s House. In those days this Hospitalier house would have provided rest and accommodation to travellers. The rooms were arranged around an enclosed courtyard. Visitors today can still see the east wing with its rare interiors, painted panels and collections. The house is a good example of the use of jettying. Technically and aesthetically it marked a significant development in vernacular architecture. The use of close set vertical timbers is known as close studding. This decorative type of construction became widespread in Sussex in the 15th century.

Thanks to the generosity of Peter Thorogood, who bought St Mary’s House in 1984, and Roger Linton, the house and gardens still offer great hospitality. They have spent more than 30 years conserving this remarkable house and creating a series of gardens.

From the time of the Roman Emperor, Constantine, roses have been associated with the veneration of Jesus Christ’s mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, after whom St Mary’s house is named. The rose garden at the house is at its best right now. The gardens, designed by Roger Linton and restored by an army of volunteers, gift us with space in the busyness of our modern lives, a generous punctuation mark – time to imagine and to be.

Peter Thorogood and Roger Linton are deserving of our thanks. These generous custodians have always wanted to share St Mary’s with others and it is their intention that St Mary’s will remain accessible and at the heart of the local community for future generations.

St Mary’s House and gardens are open to the public throughout the summer season on Sunday afternoons and Bank Holiday Mondays. For further details go to www.stmarysbramber.co.uk or telephone 01903 816205.

By Rupert Toovey, a senior director of Toovey’s, the leading fine art auction house in West Sussex, based on the A24 at Washington. Originally published in the West Sussex Gazette.