NEWS

Exeter library children’s horse to keep on rocking!

A crowdfunding appeal has successfully raised £1000 to repair central library’s popular rocking horse, Jubilee Beauty.

Laura Davies

Exeter’s central library has successfully raised £1000 in a crowdfunding appeal to make repairs to a rocking horse that has been resident in the children’s library since 1977.

The horse, Jubilee Beauty, will now receive the restoration needed to get it back in service, thanks to public generosity.

57 people contributed to the GoFundMe appeal, including Luis Gonzalez, who donated £485 on behalf of their daughter, who loves to ride the horse and is eager for it to return.

Luis Gonzalez said: “My five year old, Amanda, loves this rocking horse. Every Sunday we go to Exeter Library [and she] asks the same question - ‘when is it back?’’”

Exeter central library chidren's area Exeter central library chidren’s area. Photo: Devon Libraries.

Library manager Emily Macaulay, who also contributed to the appeal, said: “When Jubilee Beauty got damaged we did not have the funding to fix her. It was amazing to see how many people wanted to help.

“We know the people of Exeter love their library - it was great to see them come through for Jubilee Beauty.”

The rocking horse is so named as it was made to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee year in 1977, when it was donated to Exeter library.

After more than 40 years of service, “she is a bit worn out”, said Emily.

“She is currently rocking side to side (as opposed to just forward and back). She is also chipped, scratched and badly marked.”

Exeter Central library chidren's area rocking horse Jubilee Beauty Exeter Central library chidren’s area rocking horse Jubilee Beauty

73-year-old Jack Bowman of Cockington Rocking Horses, Torquay, will begin work on Jubilee Beauty this week.

This is the third time he and his wife, Alison, have restored the horse. Jack said: “Every time I get it back, it’s looking a bit sorry for itself.”

The horse will be stripped bare so that the wood can be treated with gesso, an artist’s primer that has been in use “for thousands of years”.

“Michelangelo used it for the Sistine Chapel. So, it’s tried and tested!” said Jack, who has been making and restoring rocking horses since 2005.

Exeter Central library Exeter Central library. Photo: Roy Riley.

The treated wood is then left to dry for about four weeks before painting begins.

Jack said: “My wife’s the artist, at this point she takes over”.

Alison will add dappling, the horse’s features and, once decided, a new theme for the horse’s surround.

It is likely to be mid to late March before Jubilee Beauty is back at the library, ready to entertain Exeter’s children once again.


Democracy doesn't work when people don't know who is deciding what on whose behalf and what the costs and consequences of those decisions will be.

Exeter Observer is proving that reader-funded media can deliver the independent public interest journalism our local democracy needs.

Upgrade to a paid Exeter Observer subscription to support our work and get access to exclusive premium content and more.

More stories
Save Northbrook Pool campaigners dressed in black outside Exeter City Council's offices on 24 June 2025

Labour councillors dive deeper into denial in decision to abandon Northbrook pool

Exeter residents mourn as council suppresses destructive consequences of creating St Sidwell’s Point complex that looms in leisure service shadows like a leviathan.

Devon & Torbay Combined County Authority draft local growth plan infographic

Devon & Torbay CCA keeps quiet about 2025-35 Local Growth Plan as it takes charge of regional development agenda

Combined County Authority privately selects unspecified stakeholders to co-author document setting out strategic priorities but with little of substance to say on addressing region’s structural challenges.

Northbrook pool

Exeter City Council fields false prospectus in determination to close Northbrook pool

Ian Collinson reports double down on misrepresentation, material omission and flat denial as council plans to rend more of city’s fabric from its roots.

Clifton Hill sports centre redevelopment site

Second undervalue sale of Clifton Hill sports centre site after buyback loss leaves city with £3m less than initial market value

Council sold land for £2.14m – at £2.11m discount – then bought it back for £3.037m before selling again for £3.375m at £425,000 discount with £225,000 sweetener after also agreeing to spend net £600,000 on preparation, marketing and disposal costs.

Mary Arches car parks redevelopment site aerial view

300-bed “co-living” blocks to trump social housing vision for Mary Arches car parks

More people could be crammed into Eutopia Homes complex than current car parking spaces after Exeter City Council commits to “homes for the people of Exeter” on Liveable Exeter North Gate site.

Exeter Public Spaces Protection Order boundary map

Exeter City Council renews Public Spaces Protection Order for three more years

Measure introduced to curb anti-social behaviour in 2017 extended to 2028 following consultation limited to selected consultees.

On Our Radar
Signals of the Sea in rehearsal

SUNDAY 6 JULY 2025

Signals of the Sea

Theatre Alibi hosts a Paddleboat Theatre production that follows a lighthouse keeper as he uncovers the secrets of the sea.

EMMANUEL HALL

Illustration of Hansel and Gretel by Arthur Rackham

SATURDAY 12 JULY 2025

Fairy Tales in Opera and Piano Music

A fairy tale-themed concert for children and their families.

ST NICHOLAS PRIORY

St Thomas churchyard

SATURDAY 19 JULY 2025

Love St Thomas Summer Festival

New community event launches with live music, talks, workshops, stalls, refreshments and family-friendly activities.

ST THOMAS CHURCHYARD