A UNIQUE collection of art treasures, an £8,000 auction portrait and life in a Furness school are all linked by John Ruskin.

The Victorian writer, social visionary, artist and critic lived from 1819 to 1900 and spent his later years at Brantwood, overlooking Coniston Water.

His name was adopted by the village secondary school, its museum and the Ruskin Library at Lancaster University.

Tomorrow a portrait in oils of Ruskin by Seymour Joseph Guy is being sold at auction by Mallams of Oxford.

The picture is dated 1897 and is expected to sell for between £5,000 and £8,000.

Guy was born in London but emigrated to New York in 1854.

Lancaster University and the National Heritage Memorial Fund have acquired the Whitehouse Ruskin Collection.

This is the largest collection of Ruskin’s works in the world, including thousands of paintings and drawings, books and manuscripts, photographs and daguerreotypes.

The Collection is being showcased in a free exhibition called Museum of the Near Future at The Ruskin Library until November 25.

It is open to the public on week days from 10am to 4pm.

Pupils at John Ruskin School took part in a major  celebration of the life and times of the Victorian writer in January 2000 - to mark a century since his death.

Pupils made lanterns to carry in a parade and helped Sally Beamish and Bill Atkinson,from Brantwood, to unload a carriage for part of the celebration exhibition held in the school.

In May1999 pupils took part in a project which would see their textile work displayed in Moscow.

The children designed and made part of a banner for the Rainbow and Arts project,part of the millennium celebrations.

Those taking part included Sally Gibson, Daniel Hall, Dominic Brown, Emily Wren,Hamish McIlwraith, Jemma Bowles and Emma Pryor.

The artwork was called Wildlife and Wild and lonely places.

The Mail,on Monday October 17 in 1994, noted: "The wonderful world of science was opened up for parents and children at a fun day.

"There were displays from primary schools, John Ruskin students, businesses and other organisations on offer.

"The day's theme was science and technology working in Cumbria and was aimed at encouraging science in the county.

"There was a chance to get your hands dirty with bread-making and art workshops.

"Cumbria police showed how science can help in solving crime and finger-prints were taken."

The Mail,on Wednesday, November 22 in 2000, noted: "Parents and prospective pupils were given a glimpse of what life is like in the classroom at a special open day.

"The school opened its doors for parents and children to see what the school has to offer with a view to enrolling their children for September 2001 or later.

"Pupils in year nine at the school conducted tours to give the visitors a chance to see what normal school life is like at the school.

"In the evening pupils returned to school to carry out demonstrations for visitors to show what type of work they are studying."

Headteacher Mike Major told parents that the school was "Well placed to give the opportunity to all of its pupils to excel."