Puppet of a sailor made by J G Jeffs

Puppet dressed and formed as a sailor with hat and patch over one eye. The puppet is dressed in coarse trousers and a woollen jumper, both are patched.  The puppet has no feet.  He would have been brought to life by pupils of Kirkcudbright Academy, when they presented a puppet show under the direction of their crafts master, James G Jeffs.   James G Jeffs ("Tim") was born on 25th April 1904. After leaving school he trained as an engineer, but became assistant curator at Dumfries Museum prior to WWII. In 1945 Jeffs and his wife moved to Kirkcudbright with their daughter, and Jeffs began teaching at the Academy there. He converted a row of cottages into a home and studio and soon became involved in craft work full time. His particular interests were weaving spinning, woodworking and calligraphy. He was responsible for many "Burgess Tickets" and other presentation certificates. He was drowned in a boating accident on Loch Ken in 1975.