JUST over 50 years ago Winnie McLean left Jamaica to follow her husband Ernest to Oxford.

As she flew from the Caribbean in 1956 to meet her husband, who worked at Pressed Steel, she wore a pair of black gloves she has kept ever since.

Now Mrs McLean’s story is being told to the whole of Cowley as part of a community art project run by local artist Giles Davies.

He photographed 10 people with objects dear to them. Those portraits are now taking pride of place on the wooden hoardings that surround the Barns Road site set to be developed for housing by Haboakus.

Mrs McLean, 74, who lives in Field Avenue, Blackbird Leys, said: “I heard about the project through the Ark T Centre. These gloves are part of my history and I have a lot of memories associated with them. I kept them because I was so attached to them. I feel very honoured and proud to be part of the Cowley community.”

The project, called the Cowley Portrait, could soon be expanded with other pictures.

Mr Davies said: “This series of portraits and reflections is about creating a community portrait – one that celebrates diversity and shared history. It’s exciting for all of us to see the portraits displayed in this way and to know that so many people will see them.

“Although only 10 portraits are on display in this first set, I have already photographed many more Cowley residents and because this is an ongoing project, I would love to hear from anyone else interested in taking part.”

Haboakus is a joint venture between GreenSquare Group and TV presenter Kevin McCloud.

Mr McCloud, who presents Channel 4’s Grand Designs, wants to build 109 flats and homes at city council-owned sites in Westlands Drive and Dora Carr Close, Northway, and in Barns Road, where the Cowley Community Centre once stood. Planning applications for the projects are expected towards the end of July.

The partnership funded the art project. GreenSquare’s Richard Grant said: “We’re delighted to provide a platform for this great project.

“Haboakus is a community-focused developer, which is why we put so much effort into talking to local people about our development plans for this site.

“And it’s why we’re so pleased to see the diversity of the local community celebrated in this way.”

Anyone interested in taking part in the project can contact Mr Davies via the Ark T Centre, in Crowell Road, Cowley, or by sending an email to giles.arkt@gmail.com