Robert Arthur Jones (20 November 1849 – 23 May 1925) was born in
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough in Merseyside, England. With a population of in 2019, it is the 10th largest English district by population and its metropolitan area is the fifth largest in the United Kingdom, with a popul ...
but moved to
Southend-on-Sea
Southend-on-Sea (), commonly referred to as Southend (), is a coastal city and unitary authority area with borough status in southeastern Essex, England. It lies on the north side of the Thames Estuary, east of central London. It is bordered ...
after working for a clock and watchmaker in
Manchester
Manchester () is a city in Greater Manchester, England. It had a population of 552,000 in 2021. It is bordered by the Cheshire Plain to the south, the Pennines to the north and east, and the neighbouring city of Salford to the west. The t ...
. In 1890 he set up his jewellery business on Southend's High Street. He went on to become one of the most important
benefactors of the town.
Business career
R A Jones' shop was situated at 76–78 High Street, Southend. An image of the shop, taken c.1914, is preserved in the Essex Record Office.
An archive of papers, receipts and photographs relating to the business of R A Jones is cared for at the
Central Museum, Southend.
After R A Jones died in 1925, the High Street business was continued by his son, Edward Cecil. It suffered severe damage during World War Two when, in October 1942, the area was hit by a
Messerschmitt
Messerschmitt AG () was a German share-ownership limited, aircraft manufacturing corporation named after its chief designer Willy Messerschmitt from mid-July 1938 onwards, and known primarily for its World War II fighter aircraft, in partic ...
attack.
The store finally closed in 1979, when it was replaced by a Lavells newsagents, which in turn was replaced by
Dixons (another firm started in Southend). The building is still prominent in Southend High Street, currently hosting Yours ladyswear, with its large clock and the name R.A.Jones moulded into the fascia.
Personal life
Philanthropy
In 1913, R A Jones presented the Jones Memorial Ground to the school children of the town of
Southend
Southend-on-Sea (), commonly referred to as Southend (), is a coastal city and unitary authority area with borough status in southeastern Essex, England. It lies on the north side of the Thames Estuary, east of central London. It is bordered ...
in memory of his wife. It had cost him £9000.
![Jones drinking fountain](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/27/Jones_drinking_fountain.jpg)
Priory Park in
Prittlewell
Prittlewell is an inner city area of Southend-on-Sea in the City of Southend-on-Sea, in the ceremonial county of Essex, England. Historically, Prittlewell is the original settlement of the city, Southend being the ''south end'' of Prittlewell. T ...
was donated to the town by R A Jones: in 1917 he purchased
Prittlewell Priory
Prittlewell Priory is a medieval priory in the Prittlewell area of Southend, Essex, England. It was founded in the 12th century, by monks from the Cluniac Priory of St Pancras in Lewes, East Sussex, and passed into private hands at the time ...
from the Scratton family, along with 22 acres of land. Having negotiated the purchase of a further six acres, R A Jones then presented the site stating, "I think it is a sin for a man to die rich, it is a great privilege to me to be able to do this, for I believe strongly in facilities for recreation. There will now be no need for such an out of the way and costly park as Belfairs. Prittlewell, with its historic and old-world associations, its beautiful trees and lakes, and its nearness to the centre of town, is an ideal place. Part of the building would be suitable for a museum, and there would also be refreshment room accommodation, while the grounds would provide facilities for cricket, football, tennis, hockey and other sports. I propose that the name of the park should be Priory Park".
Victory Sports Ground was given to Southend by R A Jones in 1921, and it particularly commemorates those sportsmen who died in World War One. This public park was given for the benefit of the people of Southend, and is managed in Trust by Southend-on-Sea Borough Council.
A public drinking fountain, commemorating the fallen of World War One and given by R A Jones, is sited in Priory Park.
The clock at the entrance to
Prittlewell Square
Prittlewell Square is a park situated in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England overlooking the Thames Estuary. It is the oldest park in Southend-on-Sea.
The clock at the entrance to the Square was donated by local jeweller and philanthropist R A Jones. ...
was donated by R A Jones.
He endowed the R A Jones in Memoriam Fund which exists to promote the education of children attending primary schools in Southend-on-Sea.
Additional photographs
Image:Priory park gates 2013.jpg, Gates to Priory Park, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea. The plaques on the gateposts commemorate the presentation of the park to the people of Southend, as a gift from local jeweller and benefactor R A Jones.
Image:Memorial stone outside Prittlewell Priory.jpg, The memorial stone outside Prittlewell Priory
Prittlewell Priory is a medieval priory in the Prittlewell area of Southend, Essex, England. It was founded in the 12th century, by monks from the Cluniac Priory of St Pancras in Lewes, East Sussex, and passed into private hands at the time ...
, Southend-on-Sea, commemorating donation of the priory and surrounding park by local benefactor R A Jones in 1917.
Image:Prittlewell Priory May 2013.jpg, A view of Prittlewell Priory
Prittlewell Priory is a medieval priory in the Prittlewell area of Southend, Essex, England. It was founded in the 12th century, by monks from the Cluniac Priory of St Pancras in Lewes, East Sussex, and passed into private hands at the time ...
, Southend-on-Sea, from an adjacent garden in the surrounding Prittlewell Park.
Image:Jones clock Prittlewell Square.jpg, Clock in Prittlewell Square
Prittlewell Square is a park situated in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England overlooking the Thames Estuary. It is the oldest park in Southend-on-Sea.
The clock at the entrance to the Square was donated by local jeweller and philanthropist R A Jones. ...
donated by R A Jones
External links
Southend Museums Service*Picture of Store Front & Clock by PaddyB - https://www.flickr.com/photos/45898619@N08/8131291448/
*Pictures of R A Jones in Evening Echo - http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/14517898.PICTURES_FROM_THE_PAST__The_historic_Southend_High_Street_clock_through_the_years/#
* https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Projectticktock This funding is to restore the R A Jones Clock in Southend High Street
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jones, R A
Southend-on-Sea (town)
1849 births
1925 deaths
English jewellers
Buildings and structures in Southend-on-Sea