The funeral and service of Thanksgiving for the life of Colin Gray took place at St Mary’s Church, Ross-on-Wye on Friday, July 27th.

The church was packed with members from all sections of the community. The current Mayor of Ross, Councillor Harry Bramer, and many of the Town Councillors who worked alongside Colin, were present. And many of those at the service represented the varied organisations which Colin was involved in.

These reflected Colin’s many interests, which ranged from country music to wildlife, but he was most deeply committed to Tudorville, which is where he was born and brought up, and where he lived his entire life.

Former Mayor of Ross-on-Wye, Joyce Thomas MBE DL, was asked by the family to pay tribute to Colin. She described him as a Champion for Tudorville and said that she had known him for many years, when she was a County Councillor for Ross and had first met him through his work with Tudorville Youth Centre.

Originally, Colin was a youth leader at the Club and later became Chairman of Tudorville and District Community Centre.

Mrs Thomas described how Colin, along with others, took on the first asset transfer in the county, when Herefordshire Council considered closing the Tudorville and District Community Centre which was in a poor state of repair.

Colin was proud to welcome the Duke of Kent when he visited the revitalised centre.

Colin was elected to Ross Rural Council and then Town Council as an independent. He was selected as Mayor in 2014 and served two years.

Over many years Colin raised funds for St Michael’s Hospice, and during his time as Mayor raised many thousands of pounds.

The Reverend Sarah Jones, who officiated at the service also spoke about Colin’s work with the Herefordshire Badger Group, his love of country music which led to him starting the annual festival, his work with rescued dogs and his interest in gardening.

The hymns included Morning Has broken, Abide With Me, and How Great Thou Art.

After the service there was a committal at Tudorville Cemetery followed by a reception at the Larruperz Centre.

Donations in memory of Colin are being collected for Hereford ITU and St Michael’s Hospice may be sent to William Bevan Funeral Directors, Ross-on-Wye.