Wednesday 30 April 2014

That's a game console controller in his other hand. He was ahead of his time.

The excellent Coram Foundation for Children is the oldest children's charity in Britain, and began life 275 years ago as a Foundling's Hospital set up by Thomas Coram, a retired sea captain and merchant. Among the many things they do is to maintain a large park in the centre of London named Coram's Fields, which has one of my favourite signs in London.


If it doesn't seem remarkable... read it again more carefully. They mean it, too. 



Anyway, to mark their anniversary, they have asked various people to design and make a card for them, which they will auction on eBay next month. Go here to see all the submissions so far (including one by a certain Mr. B Cumberbatch, just in case that might possibly be of interest to any of my readers). Here's mine: 

Cap'n Tom, pictured here with his favourite bunny.


PS - the 'Be Kind Have Fun' message next to this on the site is the inside of this card, not a second card.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

I especially love Captain Dinosaur and yellow car :) it's a really wonderful sketch and I'll certainly be bidding!

Thank you for helping a good cause!

Anonymous said...

That's a very good rule on that sign. Have you ever managed to get in? The "they mean it too" remark made me think you got kicked out of the park for it....

Keith said...

What a lovely drawing and excellent card!

Handel's Messiah is closely associated with Coram and the Foundling's Hospital too. An early performance took place there, aiding in popularizing the oratorio. Handel donated the manuscript of the Hallelujah chorus to the Foundling Hospital, too.

The recent BBC2 documentary Messiah at the Foundling Hospital covers this and more most commendably.

Messiah at the Foundling Hospital: BBC2

I include this information in hopes it will increase bidding for your card to spectacular levels.

Anonymous said...

Oh, Finnemore, you didn't try to get in without a child did you? :D

The Real Emily said...

Of course. What else WOULD a sign say? And if you turn the sign over, it says "No more than two adults allowed in the playground at a time".

You're a really talented artist! I hope they choose your design!

Moony said...

Awesome on all levels. Love that sign. So perfect and sweet. (Though the snarky side does want to ask; what if the adult is a believer of the Peter Pan syndrome, no matter what their body shows? Hehe). Okay, that's just rude and not sweet, but I had to mention it.

Also, in the pointy fashion of an excitable person; you are an amazing artist! Yellow car! Cap't Dinosaur!

Eclectic Man said...

The thing about each adult having to be accompanied by a child is also the case for the Royal Institution's Christmas Lectures. Looks like I'll need to find a child somewhere so I can visit the garden ...

Shappeybunny said...

Lovely drawing and a splendid cause too! Also, I see that Thomas Coram is a fellow Dorset boy. A happy coincedence?

Elwing said...

I love those stockings! The drawing is lovely. I wish I could bid. Might try my luck.

Eclectic Man said...

Excellent part in the latest "The NOW Show". Though I'm not really sure that big companies always stay the legal side of the law.

Stephanie said...

I love seeing your art. It's so full of life and it makes me happy. I hope you win!

Anonymous said...

This is quite possibly the best thing I could have come across whilst preparing for a performance based on 'Coram Boy'.

It's wonderful to see more splendid artwork John, and even better that it'll be helping a great cause!

Anonymous said...

Be sure to let us know when the bidding begins, I really want to buy a card :D

Anonymous said...

Bidding has begun! John's card is on 510,- pounds already! Amazing!

Graham, a bit late, but endeavouring to serve, said...

'Eclectic Man' was referring to last week's Now Show, when John whacked another political nail firmly and precisely on its head with one of his famous rants, using his patented system of aptly but hilariously extending an ingenious metaphor. There's none to touch our John for aptly but hilariously extending an ingenious metaphor, I tell you. If your browser, as mine, doesn't like the I-Player, then you might like to know that it's available as a podcast, or you might be able to catch a repeat on Radio 4-Extra. I'm not sure if there is one, though. The BBC have changed their web-site again and I can't work it out.

Anonymous said...

Correct link to that Now Show podcast:

http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/radio4/fricomedy/fricomedy_20140502-1830a.mp3

Anonymous said...

John's bit starts 19'05 into that podcast, by the way.

Anonymous said...

Lovely drawing. I wish I had your drawing talents, and I'm glad you're using them for good rather than evil. It didn't work out so well for Basil Hallwood after all!