*** DEBUG START ***
*** DEBUG END ***

Recollection

by
27 March 2015

On a different plane: the Revd Tom Devonshire Jones

On a different plane: the Revd Tom Devonshire Jones

Canon Brian Macdonald-Milne writes:

FURTHER to your obituary of the Revd Tom Devonshire Jones (Gazette, 13 March): in the somewhat monastic atmosphere of Cuddesdon College in the 1950s, Tom seemed to live on a somewhat different plane from most of us. He loved to play Brahms, and would make a movement as if to swoon at the mention of his (apparently) favourite composer. To provide a literary aspect to our studies, the Vice-Principal boldly gathered a group to study Dante. Tom was enthralled, and was by far the most eager to embrace Dante's world.

After I had served in the Pacific Islands, he discussed with me the influence of that part of the world on Matisse, about whom he was enthusiastic, especially when he learned that the artist had been inspired by the calico loincloths worn by many throughout the islands, as on them were often floral designs of great boldness.

Tom had a refreshingly artistic approach to life in general, and we his contemporaries benefited from the warmth of his personality. It would be good if the arts could continue to be blessed and encouraged by the Church in general, and by the clergy in particular, as he hoped and prayed would increasingly be the case.

Browse Church and Charity jobs on the Church Times jobsite

The Church Times Archive

Read reports from issues stretching back to 1863, search for your parish or see if any of the clergy you know get a mention.

FREE for Church Times subscribers.

Explore the archive

Forthcoming Events

Women Mystics: Female Theologians through Christian History

13 January - 19 May 2025

An online evening lecture series, run jointly by Sarum College and The Church Times

tickets available

 

Festival of Faith and Literature

28 February - 2 March 2025

tickets available

 

Visit our Events page for upcoming and past events 

Welcome to the Church Times

 

To explore the Church Times website fully, please sign in or subscribe.

Non-subscribers can read four articles for free each month. (You will need to register.)