Don Jones was a well-known face in Winchcombe.

Born in the town in 1936, Don lived in Winchcombe until he sadly passed away in March of this year.

A talented potter, he began working at Winchcombe Pottery aged 12, before starting an apprenticeship in 1950.

Over the years he created many pieces at the pottery and at his home, some of which are now being displayed at a special exhibition at Winchcombe Museum.

“I would often meet Don Jones in the town, walking with his little dog,” said Anne Crow, Honorary Curator at Winchcombe Museum.

“He was a very sociable chap, who loved to talk about his time at the pottery and to show visitors his collection of pots. Twice he generously lent some of them to the museum so that everyone could share the pleasure he got in looking at them.”

The museum is run by volunteers, like Anne, who moved to the town seven years ago.

Anne took over the role of curator in 2014 and says it’s important for the community to remember Don and appreciate his work.

She continued: “When Don sadly died in March, I felt that he deserved recognition.

“He worked at the Pottery for over 20 years and helped them through a very difficult time in the 1950s when sulphates in the clay ruined the pots fired in the bottle kiln. They had to stop using it while they worked out what was causing the problem.

“He was a local lad, born and raised in Winchcombe, and I think it is important that museums celebrate the contribution of ordinary people and keep their memories alive.”

Anne has also compiled a book on Don, with the help of other Winchcombe locals who knew him.

The book features images and essays on Don and his work throughout the years, with quotes from Don himself.

“As his wife Molly kindly agreed to lend us a few of his pots, it seemed only right to go one step further and publish photos of his pots and also to record his skills at other crafts such as photography and making rocking horses,” added Anne.

The book is available from Winchcombe Museum or can be ordered from Anne directly at annecrow@hotmail.co.uk.

The Don Jones exhibition will be at the Museum for the rest of their season and will close in October.

Anne hopes the exhibition will serve as good tribute to Don, and that it will also highlight an important part of Winchcombe history.

She said: “If we don’t mark the achievements of ordinary people, they will soon be forgotten by all but their close family and friends.

“Now I hope that the exhibition and the book will remind people how talented Don was and also advertise a local industry which has been putting Winchcombe on the map for nearly a hundred years!”

For more information visit www.winchcombemuseum.org.uk