Champion Skye Terrier from Tring museum announced as Hertfordshire's Museum Object of the Year

The Skye Terrier, named Wolverley Chummie from the Natural History Museum in Tring, is this year’s winner after receiving the most votes from the public.

Voting closed on Sunday, September 27, and over 1,000 members of the public voted for their favourite museum object in the county, with nominations including: a straw plaiting peg doll, a Black Lives Matter placard and even a 105-year-old scone made in Harpenden.

Terry Douris, Cabinet Member of Education, Libraries and Localism at Hertfordshire County Council, said: “It is always fascinating to see the huge variety of objects on display in museums across Hertfordshire and the Object of the Year award gives us a glimpse of the wide diversity of what is on offer in the county.

“Congratulations to the Natural History museum in Tring for their champion Skye Terrier, Wolverley Chummie and thanks to everyone who took the time to vote for their favourite object.”

The taxidermy dog collection at the Natural History Museum in Tring first went on display in 1968 and aimed to reflect the efforts of 19th and 20th century dog breeders who developed many of the breeds we see today.

Wolverley Chummie, a Skye Terrier, was born in 1899. According to the Illustrated Kennel News he was a ‘huge headed pup’ and his coat was considered ‘obstinate’, yet he went on to win 31 championship certificates and was considered a perfect example of the breed.

This year the awards were supported by Hertfordshire Year of Culture 2020 (HYOC 2020) a campaign to showcase Hertfordshire as a county of creative and cultural opportunity.