Moving tributes have been paid to former Abergavenny pub landlord Ray Powell who died last month.

Ray, 75, sadly died on December 19 from a lung infection after a three-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

He was a popular presence in his hometown, where he ran the Crown and Sceptre pub and later the Somerset Arms with wife Alison.

The couple had two daughters Kelly and Leah and four grandchildren, with Ray’s eldest daughter Kelly describing him as “kind, caring and a community guy”.

A passionate lover of music, Ray formed a rock band in the 1960s as the lead singer and guitarist in the Gordon Rae Four, and hosted regular karaoke nights at his pubs.

He also loved performing with the Abergavenny Panto Company alongside his daughters, and would take them with him when sang in care homes when they were children.

Before his funeral on Thursday January 6, mourners lined Victoria Street to pay their respects as the hearse passed the Somerset Arms, with covid restrictions sadly restricting the number of people allowed to attend the funeral.

Following the news of Ray’s passing, many Abergavenny residents took to the Facebook page Abergavenny Voice to pay their respects with the page inundated with tributes.

Ian Williams posted: “The best landlord you could have, everyone that came in wanted him behind the bar.”

Steve Todd wrote: “Ray was one of life’s true gentlemen. Never seen without a smile. He will be sorely missed.”

Lawton Watkins said: “Cracking person, always laughing and joking. Ray it was a pleasure knowing you, rest in peace my friend.”