A Southport jobseeker showed how to really impress at interview by uncovering a forgotten masterpiece

DURING his interview at arts and cultural centre The Atkinson, Stephen Whittle revealed a strong hunch that one of the gallery's unattributed paintings was in fact by a famous and highly collectable Futurist painter.  Whittle's instinct proved correct and the artwork, which had been in storage since the 1920s, was confirmed as a CRW Nevinson by expert and biographer Michael John Kirk Walsh, associate professor at Nanyang University, Singapore.  Depicting Limehouse docks in East London, the artist revisited the scene five years later to create a famous 1918 version called Southwark (Limehouse).  Conservation work carried out at the National Conservation Centre in Liverpool later revealed the artist's signature and also several previous compositions underneath the top layer. Said Stephen, who accepted the role of gallery manager:- "I was doing my research before attending an interview at The Atkinson. When I saw this unattributed image on the BBC Your Paintings website, it was very reminiscent of Nevinson. As soon as I tracked down a picture of the later version, a mezzotint engraving that Nevinson made in 1918, I knew I was right. I mentioned my supposition at interview, but I don't know if it led to me finally getting the job!"  The oil painting was originally from the collections of the Bootle Art Gallery and Museum, which closed in the 1974.  The painting has now been restored and reframed and is the star of a new exhibition at The Atkinson. Called Rediscoveries, the exhibition showcases treasures from the gallery's collections, some of which haven't been seen for the best part of a century.  Alongside more familiar works, including sculptures by Henry Moore and Elizabeth Frink, there are paintings by Southport born artist Philip Connard, who painted murals at Windsor Castle and has paintings in the collections of the Tate, the Musee d'Orsay and the Art Institute of Chicago but is now little known.  Other rediscovered gems included in the exhibition include figure drawings by Augustus John, prints and Frank Brangwyn and the early modernism of Keith Vaughan and Michael Ayrton.  Stephen said:- "Sefton has an excellent art collection and it's very exciting to be unearthing and exhibiting artworks that have been over looked for so long."  The original Atkinson Art Gallery and Library opened in 1878, following a £6,000 donation by William Atkinson, a cotton manufacturer from Knaresborough, North Yorkshire and a frequent visitor to Southport. In May 2013, The Atkinson relaunched as a theatre, studio, cafe, shop, exhibitions space, gallery, library and museum.  Rediscoveries runs until 29 October 2015 at The Atkinson, on Lord Street, Southport, PR8 1DB.

Witness appeal after man touched himself inappropriately on board Formby train

THE British Transport Police officers want to speak to him following a disturbing incident on board a train which left a teenage girl shaken and upset. Inspector Kenneth McVey said:- "A 19 year old girl boarded the train at Formby and sat down before noticing a man sitting opposite who was touching himself inappropriately while looking at her. She felt extremely vulnerable and frightened and moved seats to get away from the man. He then got off the train at the next stop, Hillside." Police believe the man in the image could have vital information about the incident and urge him or anyone who recognises him to come forward and help officers with their enquiries. Inspector McVey added:- "The young girl was extremely shaken and upset by what happened. It is vital we catch the man responsible as soon as possible." If anyone has any information please contact British Transport Police on:- 0800 40 50 40, or text:- 61016, quoting reference:- PSUB/B8 of 05/01/2015. Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on:- 0800 555 111."