A Rupert Bear Exhibition Is Opening In Canterbury To Mark His Centenary

Image: Canterbury Museums

Rupert, Rupert the Bear,

Everyone sing his name,
Rupert, Rupert the Bear,
Everyone come and join...

If that's triggered a nostalgic and vaguely annoying earworm for you, as it did for us, you might be interested to know that an exhibition dedicated to the cartoon bear is coming to Kent.

Canterbury's Beaney House of Art & Knowledge is celebrating a centenary of Rupert, with a free display of Rupert objects. 

He first appeared in a cartoon in the Daily Express newspaper in November 1920, although back then he was known as Little Lost Bear. He became a daily feature in the paper for many years, before later being transformed into Rupert Annuals, books, TV cartoons, cuddly toys and other merchandise.

Why Canterbury? Rupert's story began in the area - he was created by Mary Caldwell, an artist from the Caldwell family, whose many collective creative endeavours included the restoration of Canterbury Cathedral's stained glass windows. Mary married a man named Herbert Tourtel, who worked for the Daily Express, and that's how Rupert began.

Now, we're off to dig out our Rupert cuddly toy from the depths of our attic.

The Adventures of Rupert Bear is at Canterbury Museums, 7 November 2020-7 March 2021. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.

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