Our History
From an apprentice in Victorian Oxford, to one of the UK's most awarded stonemasonry practices — 167 years of craft, family and enduring work.
William Jones established his masonry practice in Reading in 1858, following an apprenticeship in Victorian Oxford. What began as a small yard grew steadily through each generation, each building on the last.
Notable Work
1935
The Effigy of T.E. Lawrence
AFJONES executes the stone effigy of T.E. Lawrence of Arabia from a model by sculptor Eric Kennington, with Ron Griffin, Jack Whiteway and others. A landmark commission that brought national recognition.
1984
Windsor Statue — Graham & Prince Philip
AFJONES works alongside Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, on the Windsor Castle statue project, one of many high-profile commissions that cement the firm's national standing during this period.
2020
The Belvedere — Stone Federation Award
The Belvedere receives the Stone Federation Award for Craftsmanship, one of several awards recognising the team's work during this period.
Since 1858
A Legacy, Driving Ambitious Projects
Six generations of knowledge and an unbroken commitment to doing things properly. That is what every client inherits when they work with AFJONES.
Each milestone represents not just a date, but a decision to invest and innovate to produce stonework of increasing quality and scale. Scroll through the history of AFJONES below.
William Jones Commences Trading
In 1858, William Jones officially commences trading as a stonemason in Reading, Berkshire, having served his apprenticeship under his uncle James Bigglestone from 1846 to 1853. What began as a single craftsman's practice would grow into six generations of mastery and 167 years of unbroken family ownership.
The Bedford Road Yard & Office
AFJONES leases the Bedford Road yard in Reading on an 80-year lease at £8 per year ground rent, the founding yard that would anchor the firm for over a century. Land is further purchased on Prospect Street in 1919 as the firm's stock yard grows.
Arthur Frederick Jones Joins the Firm
The second generation joins. Having studied Arts & Crafts at University College London in 1885, Arthur Frederick brings a fine art sensibility to the firm's architectural and memorial work, broadening its creative scope and deepening its engagement with the decorative tradition.
Alan Jones & the Anderson Grice Saw
Alan Jones takes the helm as the third generation leader. In the same year the firm acquires its first mechanised 'Anderson Grice' circular saw at Bedford Road, a landmark modernisation that marks the beginning of a long history of embracing production technology without sacrificing craft.
Louisa Jones
Louisa Jones is a cornerstone of the third generation of the family at AFJONES. Alongside Alan, she is part of the family presence that sustains the firm through a period of significant change: mechanisation, wartime, and the long rebuilding that follows, keeping the Jones name and its values intact across the decades.
The Effigy of T.E. Lawrence
AFJONES executes the stone effigy of T.E. Lawrence of Arabia from a model by sculptor Eric Kennington, with Ron Griffin, Jack Whiteway and others. The work brings the firm national recognition and establishes its reputation for the highest-calibre sculptural commissions.
Alan's RAF Service & Post-War Rebuilding
Alan Jones serves in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserves 1943–1945. After the war the firm rebuilds, and David Barefield becomes the first apprentice taken on in the post-war years. New commissions follow as AFJONES re-establishes its full programme of architectural and memorial work.
Graham Jones Leads the Firm Forward
The fourth generation takes the helm. Graham oversees a period of significant growth, expanding the firm's geographic reach and taking on increasingly prominent commissions. His era also marks the introduction of CNC technology, a defining modernisation that dramatically expands precision capability.
Windsor Statue — Graham & Prince Philip
One of the firm's most celebrated commissions: AFJONES works alongside Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, on the Windsor Castle statue project. Graham Jones is pictured with Prince Philip, one of many high-profile commissions that cement the firm's national standing during this period.
Angus Jones & The Ipsden Yard
Angus Jones joins as the fifth generation and establishes the Ipsden Yard in Oxfordshire, a purpose-built production base that transforms the firm's capacity for precision work. New equipment follows through the 1990s and 2000s, including 3-axis and 5-axis CNC saws, a CNC router, and phased site developments.
Sidmonton Court & the Millais Window
Commissioned by Andrew Lloyd-Webber: AFJONES produces a stone reproduction of John Everett Millais' 1853 painting 'Design for a Gothic Window'. The project wins the Stone Award for Craftsmanship in 1996 — the first of several industry accolades, and one of the firm's most celebrated creative commissions.
Kenneth Jones Joins as Director
Kenneth Jones joins the firm as Director, bringing commercial and operational leadership that supports continued growth and the firm's award-winning contemporary output. His focus on efficient delivery and client relationships drives a new chapter of strategic ambition alongside Angus.
The Belvedere — Award for Craftsmanship
The Belvedere receives the Stone Federation Award for Craftsmanship, one of several accolades defining AFJONES's contemporary scope. Phase 5 Office and Stone Gallery Showroom also opens at Ipsden.
Megan Jones & Jonny Griffin's Legacy
The sixth generation joins: Megan Jones brings fresh vision to an enduring practice. In the same year, Jonny Griffin retires after 50 extraordinary years with AFJONES, a testament to the loyalty, depth and continuity of the people at the heart of the firm. Also commended: The Castle (Architect: CSK).
Phase 6 & Stone Federation Awards
Phase 6 opens at Ipsden, a new Interiors Workshop and Solar Array, the latest in a series of capital investments in the firm's production capabilities. Stone Federation Award for Craftsmanship: Private Lutyens Grade II House (Architect: Moxleys). Commended: Knighton Mill (Architect: Spratley's). The legacy continues.
The Jones Family
Six Generations of Mastery
William Jones
From 1858
After serving under his uncle, William established the Reading yard on Bedford Road, the foundation on which everything that followed was built.
Arthur Frederick Jones
From 1886
Studied Arts & Crafts at UCL. Brought a fine art sensibility to architectural and memorial work, broadening the firm's creative scope.
Alan & Louisa Jones
From 1926
Led the firm through the mechanisation era and World War II, serving in the RAF Volunteer Reserves 1943–1945. The firm endured.
Graham Jones
From 1962
Oversaw major growth including the Windsor statue commission with Prince Philip and the introduction of CNC technology.
Angus Jones
From 1992
Established the Ipsden Yard and drove the firm's award-winning architectural reputation into the 21st century.
Ken Jones
From 2015
Joined as Director in 2015, bringing commercial and operational leadership that has supported the firm's continued growth and award-winning output.
Megan Jones
From 2022
The sixth generation, bringing fresh vision to an enduring practice, continuing a tradition of excellence begun in 1858.
A Legacy Driving Ambitious Projects
Six generations of knowledge and an unbroken commitment to doing things properly. That is what every client inherits when they work with AFJONES.
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