Shop signs saved from the scrap heap to honour Hednesford trader

Newsagents and toy seller Stan Jones sold to thousands in the town before the shop closed in 1970.

But people have remembered the local legend fondly online after his old shop front was found still hanging firmly in place.

Another newsagents took over Mr Jones' shop and another sign was placed on top of his old one at 103 Market Street 46 years ago.

But preparations for a new Subway shop over recent weeks meant it was seen once again.

It has now been donated to the Museum of Cannock Chase and is awaiting restoration before potentially going on display.

The museum's visitors service officer Rachel Gentle said: "It was going to be thrown in the bin.

"The only reason we know about the sign is because of Facebook. It went bananas.

"The Subway owners asked if we knew about this sign and is there anyway it could be used? The building was a newsagents from the 1970s. Subway took over the shop and suddenly this sign was revealed.

"Lots of people remember Stan Jones and it brings back memories for local people. We want to collate timescales. All I know is that the sign was covered in 1970."

She picked up two of the three parts of the wooden sign in her car last week and builders bought the last piece to the museum.

In an age before Lego and games consoles, thousands of Hednesford's children bought their Hornby trains and tracks, Meccano sets and Dinky toy cars from the shop and people have shared their memories of it online, including his great nephew Richard Jervis, who lives in Canada. He shared a picture of Mr Jones when he was in the Royal Air Force.

Anyone with any further information about Stan Jones and his shop is asked to share their memories by emailing museumofcannockchase@wlct.org.