The death has been reported of Colin Smith, a hugely respected member of the Royal Buckley Town Band for over 70 years. He was aged 81.

A remarkable bandsman and a popular figure in the Welsh banding movement, he played on nearly every 'corner' seat in the band in his career, but was a noted euphonium player, he also played a huge part in the successful running of the organisation.

He was a teacher, player and constant supporter to all, and his loss goes to our very coreBand spokesperson

Hugely missed

A spokesperson told 4BR: "Colin was loved by many and will be hugely missed by the people of Buckley and the banding community as a whole. He was a teacher, player and constant supporter to all, and his loss goes to our very core."

Band President, Lord Barry Jones, John Wynne and Pedr Roberts led the eulogies at the funeral held at Emmanuel Church, Buckley, with the band, made up of players past and present, providing the music throughout.