Tributes paid after death of talented actor

Mike Jones, of Hanwood, near Shrewsbury, died last week following a battle with bowel cancer.

Mr Jones trained as an actor and was involved with local drama groups in Shrewsbury throughout his life.

Today his family paid tribute to the widower, describing him as a 'lovely man' and a 'talented actor'.

Mr Jones joined the Shrewsbury Repertory Theatre as a teenager in the 1950s where he trained as a professional actor and took part in several productions.

He then moved to Tyne and Wear where he became a member of the Tynemouth Repertory Theatre.

During the 1960s, Mr Jones returned to Shropshire and retired from professional acting – taking up a job in advertising with the Shrewsbury Chronicle.

He later became advertising manager for the Bridgnorth Journal but remained a very active member of the amateur dramatic scene in Shrewsbury and was a member of the Questers theatre group in Harlescott.

In 1964, he formed his own drama group, the Beacon Players, a company featuring other established actors on the amateur dramatics scene.

The group's first ever performance of Philip King's comedy 'On Monday Next' was given a standing ovation by an appreciative audience at Shrewsbury's Walker Hall.

Reviewers described Mr Jones as a 'talented young man' who gave a performance full of 'energy and attack'.

The Beacon Players disbanded in 1970 but Mr Jones continued to help out with the Meole Brace players and the Bayston Hill players. He moved to Hanwood in the 1970s and organised the village's annual pantomime.

Mr Jones, who was also a life-long member of Oswestry Golf Club, leaves behind his daughter Lynn and two granddaughters.

His brother Peter Jones, said: "He was a lovely man and a really talented actor.

"All through his illness I never heard him complain. He was always apologising that he was putting us out even though he never was."

Mr Jones' burial will take place at St Thomas' Church in Hanwood on April 25 at noon.

There will be a collection but no flowers please.