Nantwich Memories: Nantwich Museum unveils 228-year-old oil painting

By Crewe Chronicle on Oct 29, 09 09:33 AM in 2000 onwards

MORE than 100 people at Nantwich Museum celebrated the unveiling of an oil painting from 1781 which is believed to be the only known illustration of Nantwich Races.

Entitled Mr Walsh's Perdita, with jockey up, on Nantwich Racecourse, it is by Benjamin Killingbeck, who specialised in painting horses and dogs.

The unveiling formed part of a cheese and wine evening organised as a fundraising event to help the Pillory Street museum pay for the painting.

Although it was successful in securing funding from a purchase grant fund, the Art Fund and Nantwich Town Council, it still had to contribute nearly £2,000 from its own budget.

Museum curator Anne Wheeler said afterwards: "The evening was a tremendous success with a fantastic turnout and a great show of support.

"The ladies of the Inner Wheel must be thanked for laying on a delicious feast of cheese and wine, which was much enjoyed by all who attended. A grand total of £870 was raised, which we are all delighted with."

Postcards, greetings cards and Christmas cards of the painting have been produced and they are on sale at the museum to raise further funds.