Photo: Supplied.
Redland Museum’s diverse collection includes a wide range of artefacts, from thimbles to vintage cars – and occasionally something as unexpected as a Cherry Ripe display.
Cherry Ripe, the classic cherry and coconut chocolate-coated bar, was launched 100 years ago by MacRobertson’s Steam Confectionary Works, before it was bought out by Cadbury. Named after the old English song, the bar’s original wrapper portrayed the owner of the cherry tree, with birch rod and dog, waiting to catch anyone attempting to rob the tree of its fruit, not realising that a young boy had already scaled the wall and was helping himself.
Sandra Davis, museum volunteer, researcher and exhibition developer, has gathered together a whimsical collection of wrappers, 1960s showbags, chocolate bars, song lyrics and other memorabilia to celebrate the iconic confection.
“These days the logo would be considered incorrect, appearing to advocate physical violence,” she says, “so the logo has changed – but the Cherry Ripe hasn’t!”
It would appear that its popularity hasn’t waned either.
“The empty wrappers on the top shelf of the display cabinet change position daily,” says Sandra. “That suggests that some visitors are investigating them, hoping to find them full. They live in hope…”
The Cherry Ripe display will be at the Redland Museum until 22nd November.
