The Grand National 1987 and Maori Venure

Maori Venture was born 1976, died 2000, he was sired by St Columbus, out of Moon Venture, bred by Dai Maori Morgan Welsh Publican. Dia had played Rugby in New Zealand, hence the name. He out-lived three owners; the first one was Major Jack Rubin, the second Ken Girling, whose

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Fullers Brewery Dray

The Art of Brewing We might a drink a lot of it, but we did not invent it. Beer dates back between 5000 & 4000 years to the Sumerian civilisation and may go back further. Alcohol and bread have pretty much sustained mankind for thousands of years and provided a

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Hunting Jug, Mid 19th century

This is a stoneware hunting jug. They come in many shapes some with longer necks, some squatter. This would have been a very popular design, with the hound on the handle, and then a hunting scene, with huntsman and hounds and of course horses. These are all done in low

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Saddlers Hall, Coat of Arms

Every aristocrat had a coat of arms, so did all the guilds. Today the need for a logo, or company insignia, or stamp continues to utilise the concept of needing to be recognised.  That was what the coat of arms implied it told you who was your opponent in the

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Industry Winner of The Oaks, 1838

Industry won The 60th Oaks in 1838, Friday 1st June.  This glass print is an exact copy of the painting by John Frederick Herring, the Elder, 1795-1865 the famous horse painter. Industry was owned by the 6th Earl of Chesterfield and trained like Cotherstone by John Scott in Malton, and

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Cothestone Winner of the Derby, 1843

Cothestone was by Touchstone a prolific sire with 343 winners to his name.  It was his owner John Bowes second sucess in the Derby. He was called after a village near Durham and has a selection of celebrated cheeses. He was not an impressive yearling, but went on to win

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Changing to a Stage 1835

Tis delightful scene was painted in 1835 the signature is hard to read but it looks like ‘tome’, I doubt if it is Charles Towne because he was well known.  The scene is delightful, the husband and wife, with their two liveried servants have taken their Post Chaise to a

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Grittar wins the Grand National 1982

In 1981, Aldaniti had won the Grand National with Bob Champion, a great feat for a man who had been through cancer treatment and a horse who had potentially broken down. The film Champions was made in 1983, with John Hurt, Peter Barkworth, Edward Woodward and incomparable Alison Steadman. In

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Epsom and the Clock Tower

In 1848 the Old Watch House and stocks were pulled down and it was proposed that that the town centre should have a clock tower similar to that in Newmarket.  Plans were drawn up and in 1850 this design was added to a print of the town centre. So very

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