LARGE numbers were expected to attend the funeral today of Abergavenny street character Henry Parry who died earlier this month.

Among the mourners due to attend this afternoon’s service at Gwent Crematorium in Croesyceiliog were local police commander Inspector Huw Jones and the Abergavenny Chronicle’s editor Liz Davies and general manager Mary Purcell.

Henry’s death prompted condolences at this month’s town council meeting where the sad news was broken by Insp Jones after his crime briefing to councillors.

He said afterwards, “Henry was very much a part of town life. Everyone knew him - or knew of him. He will be missed.”

He added, “He was a neighbour of ours for many years at the police station. It’s only right that myself and some colleagues pay our respects by attending his funeral.”

Mary Purcell said, “We were all very saddened to hear that Henry had died. Many people in the town have their own memory of Henry. Abergavenny will not forget him in a hurry.”

Editor Liz Davies said, “Henry Parry was one of Abergavenny’s true characters and it certainly won’t be quite the same without him. The Chronicle has been inundated by people asking where they can make donations in his memory or who want to attend his funeral which says a great deal about the way in which he was regarded by the town”

Mayor Maureen Powell said she would also have attended the service if it had not clashed with a county council meeting.

She said Henry, 68, had been a ‘talented and amazing’ stonemason before his world fell apart and he started to live the life he chose.

He died at Nevill Hall Hospital on September 7. The service, open to all, was due to start at 2pm.