October 8, 2013 4.17 pm This story is over 125 months old

Centuries old painting left in will for Lincoln council

One of 806 mayors: A miniature watercolour painting of an 18th Century Mayor of Lincoln has been left to the City Council in a local man’s will.
Lisa Barber (pictured), daughter of Roy Fines who lived in Lincoln before his death in 2012, traveled from Winchester to present a miniature watercolour picture of Thomas Jepson - Mayor of Lincoln in 1790 - to the current mayor Patrick Joseph Vaughan (pictured) at the Guildhall in Lincoln.

A miniature watercolour painting of an 18th Century Mayor of Lincoln has been left to the City Council in a local man’s will.

The portrait features Thomas Jepson, who was the city’s Mayor in 1790, and was left to the council in his will by Mr Roy Fines.

Mr Fines had owned the portrait for around three decades before his death in 2012.

His daughter Lisa Barber travelled from her home in Winchester to the Guildhall to present the current Mayor Patrick Vaughan with the painting.

Mr Fines was a well-known figure in the city for many years, setting up Chapter and Verse in the 1970s to sell paperback books on Lincoln Market.

After spending most of his life in Lincoln, the former Mount Street, Westgate and City Grammar school pupil, moved to Winchester in his final years to be closer to family.

As a thanks to his home city, for a remarkable life, he left two paintings – one to the city council and another to Lincoln Cathedral.

The miniature water colour painting is thought to be the first of its kind among the collection of Mayors' portraits in Lincoln Guildhall.

The miniature water colour painting is thought to be the first of its kind among the collection of Mayors’ portraits in Lincoln Guildhall.

Mayor Patrick Vaughan said: “It is an absolute honour to be able to accept this unusual painting on behalf of the city.

“You have a real sense of history as Mayor, knowing that 806 people have held the position before me, but to see such a fantastic portrait of Thomas Jepson from 223 years ago is a rare and privileged opportunity.

“It is an extremely generous donation from Lisa and her father Roy and it will add a little more to Lincoln’s already rich historical tapestry.”

The Guildhall currently houses a photographic collection of former Mayors, but this is thought to be the first watercolour of a former Mayor to be added to the collection.