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Worplesdon Memorial Hall

Sidney Sime and the Sime Gallery

On the first floor of Worplesdon Memorial Hall there is a small gallery devoted to the fascinating and highly characteristic work of Sidney Sime (1867-1941), the famous artist, illustrator and caricaturist.

Sime owned a cottage at Worplesdon - Crown Cottage - and spent much of his time here during the latter part of his life.  This Gallery was opened in 1956 with proceeds from the sale of Crown Cottage, on the death of his widow Mary Sime (née Pickett).  In 1949, Mrs Sime had bequeathed all Sime’s pictures that remained with her to the Trustees of the Worplesdon Memorial Hall for the creation of such a gallery.

There are 88 hung works on view, including a glass case of theatrical caricatures, a collection of caricatures of local Worplesdon residents of his day, and landscape paintings in oil and watercolour.  In total there are over 500 catalogued items.

The gallery also contains some furniture used frequently by Sime:  gate-leg table, which contains two portfolios containing more of Sime’s work and also various book publications of interest;  a Windsor chair;  and a tallboy containing his original sketch books, numerous oil paintings, etchings, watercolour sketches, drawings and caricatures and press cuttings.

Anyone wishing to visit the Gallery should contact the Worplesdon Memorial Hall caretaker, Mr Bernard Callanan, on 01483 232117.

Follow the links on the right to learn more about Sidney Sime or visit our new online gallery below to see some examples of his work.

 Extended biography of Sidney Sime

 Wikipedia article on Sidney Sime

 Another Sidney Sime site ...

 ... and another

 Sidney Sime at the Art Renewal Center