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Picture Perfect
August in the Solent always begins with Cowes Week, so what could be more appropriate than to start this newsletter with ‘Sixes’ racing?  The International Six Metre class featured in the Olympics from 1908 until 1952, and it is impressive that some were still participating in Cowes Classic Week as recently as this July.
Yacht racing traditionally started and finished with cannon fire, and all competitors would be hoping to ‘get a gun’ on being in the first three to cross the finishing line.  The Royal Yacht Squadron still uses cannon to start the biannual Rolex Fastnet Race, which returned this year in stormy, rough seas, a far cry from the balmy weather the Sixes are enjoying above.
The Fastnet, first raced in 1925, involves racing round a rock off the southern tip of Ireland, surmounted by a fine lighthouse first built in 1853 and designed by George Halpin.  Above, is a cork model of another famous lighthouse built much earlier – in 1759.  Known as Smeaton's Tower this third and most notable Eddystone Lighthouse was largely dismantled and rebuilt on Plymouth Hoe, Devon, where it stands today.
The wide, sweeping green of Plymouth Hoe is famous for another reason.  It was here, as legend would have it, that Sir Francis Drake played bowls when the approaching Spanish Armada was first sighted, and nonchalantly opted to finish the game.
Yacht racing is now a sport but, before the age of steam and aviation, the Clipper crew who got their merchandise to market first, got the highest prices, so the racing was deadly serious.

Blue Jacket was ‘a fast and exceptionally handsome ship’.  Her best run was 63 days from New Zealand to London.  She reached 23 knots on one notable occasion 'beating all records ever made by a sailing ship up to that time'.  It took four men to hold her on course using two double wheels. 
And a final fascinating fact. 

Question: how does a ceremonial spade from Birkenhead relate to the racing tea clippers of the 19th century?  Answer: from 1763 Bidston Hill was home to more than 100 flagpoles.  As we have seen, speed was of the essence when merchant vessels with valuable cargoes were due into port.  High above Birkenhead the hill was the ideal spot for flag runners to identity their company’s ships.  They had just 11 minutes to raise the correct company and cargo flags, on the right pole, which warned the workforces waiting in the docks to prepare for action.

 

If you are planning your summer staycation in, or near,  the New Forest, do book an appointment (07768 877 069) to view our stock and our re-furbished showroom or visit us online at www.wickantiques.com. 

Chelsea Antiques Fair Relaunched for 70-Year Celebration – and Leading Dealers Return
 

With a strong assembly of exhibitors the fair will seek to hark back to its roots in the 1960s and 70s when Chelsea Antiques Fair on the fashionable King’s Road was a special social occasion attracting the most discerning art and antiques afficionados from across London and the south of England.

Making their debut will be several leading specialist dealers; Hansord, Butchoff Antiques, Bowman Antiques, Santos London and Hatchwell Antiques, Freya Mitton & Fileman Antiques as well as returning dealers  Mary Cooke Antiques, Morgan Strickland Decorative Arts and Farnham Antiques.

The Fair will also include a pop up restaurant operated by Chucs Restaurants in the Cadogan Hall who specialise in sourcing and serving up the highest quality food within exquisite settings.

Fair partners also include ALTIDO, a luxury short let management provider and Stephen Morris Shipping who with over 40 years experience in worldwide fine art and antiques shipping.

The Fair is also proud to announce that this year’s Fair Charity is The Edward Guinness Appeal who are committed to raising the final £2.7million needed to fully fund and complete a £15 million state-of-the-art Care and Rehabilitation Centre; supporting people to rebuild key life skills after an acquired brain injury, stroke or other neurological condition.  

Register for complimentary tickets on The Chelsea Antiques Fair Website https://chelseaantiquesfair.co.uk
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