Friends of the Canterbury Museums

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As someone who cares about this area, I know you wiTT be interested in a
fascinating. newTy discovered view of Canterbury's race—course on Barham
Downs depicted by Thomas Rowiandson.

The picture was soTd at auction earTier this year For £20,000. The London
deaTer who bought it is wiTTing to Tet it come to Canterbury's Museums at
oniy a modest profit: and the Friends (a registered charity) are raising
the sum of £5,000 which remains to be found after the Museum's successfui
appTications for grant—aid to the Victoria & ATbert Museum's purchase fund
and the NationaT Art CoTTections Fund.

The race—course (which was at the top of Bridge Hi1] and on the way to
Bishopsbourne) had a Tong existence throughout the 18th century and up to
1879.

The site and memory of the course have now gone, and it may be that this

picture is the onTy record of what was once a popuTar part of Canterbury's
sociaT caTendar.

For exampie:

* Mozart, staying at Bourne Piace on his way home, attended these races
in 1765.

* Jane Austen wrote to her sister Cassandra in 1814 "Henry [brother] is
very weTT and has given me an account of the Canterbury Races, which
seem to have been as pTeasant as one couTd wish."

*

The Prince of Wales entered his horse Barbarossa and won the King's
PTate here in 1806.

* Mrs Philip Lybbe Powys from Hardwick House recorded in her diary a
visit in 1798 "The Tadies in generai went into the stand, which we
were toid is an exceTTent one, one room enciosed, and an open baTcony
for those who chose to stand out. So pretty a course I never saw
'tis on Barham Downs; the view pretty, and many gentTemen's seats
around there.”

The Friends hope that you wiTT agree that this fascinating record of
Canterbury's race—course beTongs in the city's museums — and that you wiTT
want to heTp.

PTease do consider making a donation, payabTe to The Friends of Canterbury
Museums. Thank you For taking time to read this Tetter.

Yours sincereiy

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KENNETH REEDIE

The Honorary Treasurer: The Royal Museum, High Street, Canterbury CT 1 21E. Telephone: (01227) 452747
Registered Charity number: 271700, Inland Revenue nurn er: X0/170/73