02/04/07 - Cllr Justin Tomlinson, Richard Jefferies Bust Unveiled

Cllr Catherine Spencer (Salisbury) & Cllr Justin Tomlinson (Swindon)

On Monday 2nd April at 2pm representatives from Salisbury District Council officially lent an antique bust of Richard Jefferies to the Jefferies Museum at Coate, once the birthplace and home of this influential Victorian nature and countryside writer that now belongs to Swindon Borough Council.
 

Cllr Catherine Spencer, the Chairman of Salisbury District Council, and Steve Milton, their Principal Democratic Services Manager whose great grandfather was a friend of the author, will handed over the statue that has graced their committee room for over 80 years.  Officers from the Richard Jefferies Society and Councillor Justin Tomlinson, Swindon Borough's cabinet member for leisure, culture and recreation attended the unveiling ceremony to receive the sculpture.


The white alabaster bust is a replica of the marble statue sculpted by Margaret Thomas that was unveiled in Salisbury Cathedral in 1892.  It is believed that Miss Thomas made about five plaster replicas and it appears that this copy was once owned by Jefferies' Biographer Walter Besant, from whom it passed to the Association of  Authors in London.  The bust was offered for sale to Salisbury City Council, who declined it at first but then Alderman Frederick Sutton the renowned local confectioner and later Mayor of Salisbury bought the bust and presented it to the council in 1925.  It stood on display in the council chamber for over 80 years.  This particular unsigned copy of the cathedral bust appears to be the only one remaining apart from a version made for London's National Portrait Gallery.


Cllr Spencer, Chair of Salisbury District Council said:

"We have recently started to refurbish and extend our offices in Salisbury and, in knowledge that the Jefferies Museum is expanding its collection, it seemed appropriate to lend the statue to the museum where it can be appreciated by more visitors.   We are delighted to find this perfect home for the sculpture".

John Price, Chairman of the Richard Jefferies Society said:

"We are most grateful to Salisbury District Council for this rare and most welcome honour.   The sculptress, Margaret Thomas, had but a few pictures of the writer on which to base her work.  Jefferies had recently died, in 1887, aged only 37.  Miss Thomas spoke to family and friends of the writer and mainly used a photo taken when Jefferies was 30 years old.   We have given the statue pride of place on display in the large bay window of Jefferies' sitting room".