Artist's unique legacy goes on show in the town he loved (From Banbury Cake)

Artist's unique legacy goes on show in the town he loved

5:10pm Saturday 23rd February 2013 in News By Oliver Evans, covering Banbury. Call me on 01865 425271

WHEN he died aged 104 in 2011, Maurice Draper left behind an artistic legacy depicting the town he loved.

Now his pictures of Banbury have gone on show in a new exhibition at Banbury Museum in Castle Quay shopping centre.

Maurice Draper’s Banbury includes familiar scenes like Market Square and canal wharves.

Early sketches by the former Banbury Grammar School head of science also feature on the exhibition.

Mr Draper came to Banbury in 1945 and helped found the Banbury and District Art Society in 1947.

He taught watercolour and continued to paint well into his nineties.

Among the illustrations is the former Catherine Wheel pub in Bridge Street which was demolished in the 1960s.

Museum events and exhibitions officer Dale Johnston said: “Maurice Draper left a unique legacy of paintings and sketches of Banbury covering over 50 years. He was still painting well into his nineties, which itself is inspiring.

“The response to the exhibition from visitors has been really positive and it is generating a lot of discussion and sharing of memories.

“People have been enjoying the challenge of seeing if they can work out where in the town each painting shows before looking at contemporary photos of the same scene to see if they were right.

“Often they are quite surprised by how much has changed.”

George Reynolds, deputy leader of Cherwell District Council, which owns the museum, said: “This exhibition is sure to trigger lots of memories. It’s a reminder that a look up above the modern shop fronts of Banbury’s old streets is often rewarded with a sight of fascinating historical architecture.”

The free exhibition runs until April 27. The museum is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm.