BBC star Philip Mould OBE visited Cheadle Hulme High School recently to deliver a talk to students.
Philp is an English Art Dealer, Writer and Broadcaster. He has made a number of major art discoveries, including some of Thomas Gainsborough’s earliest known works, the only known portrait of Prince Arthur Tudor and a number of lost works by Sir Anthony Van Dyck.
Philip told of his experiences growing up and how he fell in love with antiques thanks to his mother. She suffered polio, and was in a wheelchair so would send Philip, aged six, into antiques shops to bring things out to her for inspection. By just 11 years old, Philip could read hallmarks on silver and by the time he’d reached early teens he was art dealing.
Philip’s talk had a focus on communication skills and pursuing your passion. Students commented on how interesting and inspirational the talk was.
Harriet Ruane, Cheadle Hulme Sixth Form student said:
“As someone who has always had an interest in both art and history, the history of art was surprisingly something I knew little about, so this is what persuaded me to go along to the talk – and it’s safe to say I was not disappointed. Philip’s marvelous stories, anecdotes and advice left me with a newfound passion for the subject by the end of the hour. He sent us away with three messages: focus, communication and above all, passion. I left the auditorium motivated and inspired and art history is something I am now seriously considering for the future! I was absolutely captivated for the entirety of Philip’s speech, and I truly hope to cross paths with him again one day.”
The Laurus Trust is supported by the Law Family Educational Trust (LFET) – established by Andrew Law, a former pupil of Cheadle Hulme High School.