A rare Georgian barometer is at risk of being exported from the UK unless a buyer can be found to match the asking price of £160,000.

Culture Minister Matt Hancock has placed a temporary export bar on the George III mahogany wheel barometer to provide an opportunity to keep it in the country.

The piece is one of a small number of its design known to have been made by the renowned Whitehurst family of clockmakers, from Derby. It is one of only nine of this type known to exist, none of which are known to be in a UK public collection.

During the reign of King George III natural philosophy had become increasingly popular, with scientific instruments finding their way into the homes of the elite classes. The ornate decoration of this instrument indicates that it was intended for this purpose.

The possible association of the barometer with John Whitehurst makes this item of particular interest. As a clockmaker, instrument maker and natural philosopher he was a member of the Lunar Society, became Stamper of Money Weights at the Mint, was painted by Joseph Wright and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society.

Minister of State for Digital and Culture Matt Hancock said:

This beautiful barometer is more than just an instrument – it also gives us a glimpse into the 18th century home and the increased interest in natural philosophy at the time.

As a rare and important item associated with a significant regional workshop, this fine piece offers an intriguing possibility for further study. I very much hope that we can keep it in the UK for this purpose.

The decision to defer the export licence follows a recommendation by the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest (RCEWA), administered by The Arts Council.

RCEWA member Christopher Rowell said:

The scientifically sophisticated design of this rare Whitehurst barometer is matched by the high quality of the carved mahogany case.

No other Whitehurst barometer of this model is in a British public collection and its retention in this country is therefore highly desirable.

The RCEWA made its recommendation on the grounds of the barometer’s outstanding significance to the study of the Whitehurst family’s work.

The decision on the export licence application for the barometer will be deferred until 22 April 2017. This may be extended until 22 July 2017 if a serious intention to raise funds to purchase it is made at the recommended price of £160,000 (plus VAT of £2,000).

Organisations or individuals interested in purchasing the barometer should contact the RCEWA on 0845 300 6200.

Images of the barometer can be downloaded via our Flickr page

For media information contact:

Notes to editors

1.Details of the barometer are as follows: Wheel barometer. Dial, silvered, signed ‘Whitehurst Derby’ with 3-inch scale for 29-31 inches of mercury subdivided into hundredths and inscribed for changeable, rain, fair. Case: mahogany, carved with leaves, column (housing the tube) with acanthus leaves at base, and urn finial. Made by Whitehurst of Derby, c. 1770-1780 H 43”, W 14”, D 2.25”

2.The Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest is an independent body, serviced by The Arts Council, which advises the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on whether a cultural object, intended for export, is of national importance under specified criteria.

3.The Arts Council champions, develops and invests in artistic and cultural experiences that enrich people’s lives. It supports a range of activities across the arts, museums and libraries – from theatre to digital art, reading to dance, music to literature, and crafts to collections. www.artscouncil.org.uk.

Communities Secretary Sajid Javid today (23 February 2017) announced a government cash boost of £191 million for the South West to help create jobs, support businesses and encourage growth.

Some of the locally-chosen projects likely to benefit over the next few years include:

• a new roundabout and access road on the A40 in Gloucester
• new space for low-carbon energy businesses to grow at Huntspill Energy Park in Bridgwater
• the Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems in Bath which will help deliver future generations of clean and energy efficient vehicles

These, alongside other projects, will improve skills, create jobs, build homes and improve infrastructure. This latest award of Local Growth Funding is on top of £780 million of growth funding already awarded to the 6 Local Enterprise Partnerships in the region – an investment which will see jobs created, homes built and extra investment.

Communities Secretary Sajid Javid said:

The South West is home to some of Britain’s top businesses, and they know the best way to create jobs and boost growth in their local area.

That’s why we’re backing their ideas with almost £1 billion for business and infrastructure projects across the region, so the South West can reach its full potential, and we create a country that works for everyone.

Creating an economy that works for everyone

The £12 billion Local Growth Fund provides local leaders with the cash they need to support locally determined projects. Under the fund, England’s 38 local enterprise partnerships – made up of council leaders and business representatives – bid for investments based on local priorities.

Bids are highly competitive and to be successful, local enterprise partnerships need to work with partners to agree strong and accountable governance and put forward proposals that boost growth and bring in private sector funding.

Over £9 billion of the Local Growth Fund has now been awarded to local enterprise partnerships through 3 rounds of Growth Deals, helping more than 1,000 projects get started across England already – this is supporting vital infrastructure, improving skills and creating thousands of jobs.

Together with money for unlocking housing sites to support home building and investment in very large transport schemes – both announced in 2016 – we have fulfilled our commitment to a £12 billion Local Growth Fund.

In the South West this has already:

• enabled the major rebuild of the A338, a £22 million project – delivered on time and on budget – helping to unlock growth around Bournemouth
• provided significant funding to Bristol Robotics Institute of Technology, helping to link industry and academia in high-tech robotics
• created a Gloucestershire Renewable Energy Engineering and Nuclear Skills Centre (GREEN) to provide the next generation of low-carbon and engineering experts
• created 60 new jobs in Penzance at the Train Care Centre

Now this latest award will help do even more to benefit the lives of local people across the country. New projects include:

• a new roundabout and access road on the A40 to release land for housing at Longford and mitigate traffic impacts
• over £4 million for Enterprise Zone infrastructure to unlock a 91 hectare site at Huntspill Energy Park at Bridgwater
• support for space, aerospace and marine renewable energy activity at Cornwall’s Enterprise Zones

Further Information

Today the government has announced the Local Growth Fund 3 allocations.

The 6 Local Enterprise Partnerships in the South West have received:

The Secretary of State for Scotland, David Mundell, will tonight [23 February 2017] host leading figures in Scotland’s LGBT community at an event to celebrate diversity and tackle prejudice.

The event is being held to mark LGBT history month in Scotland, and comes the day before ‘Purple Friday’, a day for people across Scotland to show their support for the LGBT community and stand together for equality.

The Scottish Secretary will be joined by representatives from the TIE Campaign, LGBT Youth Scotland, Stonewall Scotland, MSPs and businesses like Barclays, Blackrock, GenAnalytics and Edrington.

The event will also feature a performance by the Edinburgh Gay Men’s Chorus and a speech from Commander Douggie Ward MBE, who will talk about his experience of being out in the Royal Navy.

Speaking ahead of the event, Mr Mundell said:

Tonight’s event is not only a celebration of Scotland’s rich diversity and compassion, but proves that we stand shoulder to shoulder against ignorance, prejudice and bullying.

Young people in Scotland deserve a society where their gender and sexuality has no limitation on their experiences or their aspirations. I am determined to ensure everyone in the Scottish LGBT community is treated with the respect and equality they deserve.

This month we celebrate the history of the LGBT movement, but also its future, building a Scotland which is tolerant, inclusive and diverse.

Commander Douggie Ward MBE Royal Navy said:

From the moment that I came out as a gay man to my family, friends and colleagues in the Royal Navy, I have received nothing but whole-hearted support. “It is this support that has enabled me to develop and grow both personally and professionally as a Naval Officer.

Events like tonight’s reception help send out a powerful message that we are all part of a wonderfully diverse society and no matter what your sexual orientation or gender identity, you are not alone and you can succeed.