Popular farmer who twice led Newport Show dies aged 90
A Shropshire farming stalwart who played a key role in a Newport's agricultural show as well as the town's rugby club has died.
Former Newport Show president Brian Watson Jones died on May 4, aged 90, having spent his entire life in the Newport area. He was born at Whitley Manor, educated at Adams Grammar School and Wrekin College, and spent his working life farming at Fernhill.
Mr Watson Jones joined the Newport Agricultural Society in 1959 and was showground planner for Newport Show for 50 years. He was president of the show twice, the second occasion being the first show in the Chetwynd Deer Park, which it still occupies today.
Forton Church also played a very special part in his life. He had been churchwarden, chairman and treasurer of the parochial church council. He remembered with pride singing in the choir with all his family.
Mr Watson Jones joined Newport RUFC in 1950, playing then alongside his brothers Peter and Derek. He was captain of the first Shropshire County rugby team in 1959.
He was past chairman of Newport Young Farmers' Club in 1956 and was also chairman of Shropshire Young Farmers' Club.
As well as being a busy farmer at Fernhill, he was also very involved in a number of co-operative farming ventures, including Staffordshire Farmers, Select Livestock Producers and Eagle Grain.
Mr Watson Jones was chairman of Newport 41 Club in 1975 and again in 2001.
He had four children with his wife Jeanne: Stephen, Sheila, Richard and Anne. Jeanne tragically died in 1986 and Richard sadly died in 2000. Brian has four grandchildren: Alastair, Lorna, Katie and Jonny – and two great-grandchildren: Hannah and Alissa.
In 1991 he married Dori, whom he had met on his shooting and fishing trips to Scotland.
They lived at Rock Cottage, Fernhill, and since retirement had lived in Newport.
