Star cartoonist features in Trust exhibition

VISITORS to one of North Yorkshire's premier attractions will have a rare opportunity this summer to see an exhibition of original paintings and drawings by one of the country's most popular cartoonists and illustrators, Norman Thelwell.

The exhibition at Nunnington Hall, near Helmsley, will stir remembrances of childhood books with cartoons of small girls on fat Shetland ponies.

But although Thelwell is largely remembered for the horsy cartoons, National Trust bosses say his works stretched far wider.

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"Norman Thelwell was arguably the most popular cartoonist to have worked in Britain since the Second World War in a career than spanned over 30 years," a spokesman said.

"He surveyed an impressive range of aspects of native life providing the public with a constantly entertaining visual indicator of social change."

The artists grew up between the war years, in a working-class urban environment that did not value the arts. His school didn't even have an art room.

Yet he was so driven by his desire and ability to draw that he persevered, developing a skill with which he could record and interpret the world around him.

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He specialised in people trying to enjoy themselves against the odds. The significance of his highly popular images of pony clubs, featuring one of his main characters Penelope, underlines his belief in the willingness to have a go in British society.

Visitor service manager Annabelle Coaten said at heart Thelwell was a cartoonist of common human experience, much loved and fondly remembered.

She added: "It's a great exhibition. We think our visitors are going to really enjoy it. There are some lovely pictures that will make people laugh. As well as the cartoons, there are also a few more serious watercolours including a beautiful painting of Alnwick Castle."

The exhibition at Nunnington is in association with Chris Beetles Gallery in London. All the pictures are for sale. The exhibition will run from Saturday until September 12.

Normal opening times and admission charge apply. For further details about the exhibition, opening times or events please call 01439 748283 or visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk.