Edward Graham (Ted) Jones   1942-2005

An address delivered by John Grantham at a
Service of Thanksgiving for Ted's life in St Mary's on June 10th

Ted was born in 1942 at Slough. When he was 10 months old the family moved to Farmington in Gloucestershire, and from an early age he spent most of his time helping and hindering on a local farm. The owner of  Folly Farm, Jack Townsend,  became a life long friend of Ted�s and he is still alive at the grand old age of 92.His family then moved to Northleach where Ted continued his education. In 1957 they made their final move to Chipping Norton, where sadly Ted lost his father when he was only 17. Due to his fathers early death he became head of the family, helping his Mum look after his sister Val and brother David.

Eventually he started work for Joe Benfield as a trainee Upholsterer.Ted joined the ATC where he was a member of the Guard of Honour to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II when she visited the town.

Ted�s first meeting with Sheila was when he called at her home to see if she could arrange for one of her friends to go out with him to Broad Campden. At this time Sheila was going out with one of Ted�s friends. Of course, as often happens, once Ted had set eyes on Sheila he was smitten, and shortly afterwards he asked her to go out with him, and this is how their life together began, His mate of course was not very happy about this arrangement.

They married in 1963 at Greystones then the Headquarters of the Chipping Norton Rural District Council, the ceremony was conducted by Maurice Knapman, who later became Chief Executive of West Oxfordshire District Council and later Town Clerk of Chipping Norton Town Council.

Ted and Sheila had two boys Peter born in 1966 and then Steven born in 1968.

In 1973 Ted decided to set up his own Upholstery business, and, as it went from strength to strength he felt it was time to be more involved with the Town�s welfare and put himself forward for election to the Town Council, where he served from 1976 until 1992.

As fellow councillors Ted and I shared a keen interest in the work on the stintholders committee, chaired at that time by John Hannis, and working with Charlie Withers, John Shadbolt, John Mitchell, Bill Norris, Norman Burbidge and Charlie Robinson. This committee was responsible, as now, for the management and control of the historic Regulated Pasture. During his time on the Council he involved himself in many fundraising activities. On one occasion, to raise funds for the playgroup, he dressed up as a baby, with a " dummy " and a " nappy " on him he sat in a pram, pushed all around the common by his brother David dressed as a lady.

His real passion was history and many times went on a local " dig ". He was a founder member of the History Society and one of the instigators who set up Chipping Norton Museum becoming Chairman and then President up to the time of his death. For many years he filmed Armistice Parades, Mayors Sunday�s and other notable events held in the town as a valuable historical record.

Ted taught Upholstery at evening classes for 30 years for the Adult Education Course run at the Comprehensive School�Jill Fox, Maggie Watson, Moira Cross and Maureen Shepherd, all attended his classes for many years, and became life long friends, and every Christmas arranged a party for him.

Three years ago, in August, Steven married Emily Archer, a much loved daughter-in-law, and nine months ago, she presented Ted and Sheila with a little grandson Archie Edward Jones, who will carry on the family name. Ted will be sadly missed by all his family, friends and all who knew him.