Tributes have been paid to an 88 year old man who brought a Flintshire community together in song for decades.

Tudor Holland, who was a "Bagillt man through and through" since his birth in 1929. He had blessed the village with a "beautiful" voice for over 80 years.

Mr Holland suddenly died last week, and his family have said that his generous nature will be greatly missed, and that they are thankful for such "lovely" memories with the kind man.

Mr Holland was born to Tom and Sally Holland in the September of the year World War Two broke out, and is now survived by his brother, David, and his two sisters, Eurwyn and Hazel.

Paula Court, Mr Holland's niece, said he will now join his sibling Joan, Richard, and Mrs Court's mother, Caroline, in everlasting rest.

According to Mrs Court, the Bagillt stalwart was "well known and liked in the village" and that everyone knew him for his musical passion.

Mr Owen would frequent the Upper Shippe Inn, Bagillt, and would most often let out songs which would fall on welcoming ears.

Mrs Court said: "He was well known for his love of singing and would sing the Gracie Fields song ‘Sally’ to his mum as it was her name. He had the most beautiful voice, especially when he was younger, but even as he got older he never stopped singing.

"He called almost everyone 'chick' and when he was at the bar he would instinctively turn around to anyone and ask "what are you having?" He was lovely, and popular, and was ready to do anything for anyone."

He rarely ventured away from Bagillt, but did enjoy going to visit his sister Eurwyn in Scarborough in 1980. He also went several times on holiday to Spain with his sisters Eurwyn, Hazel, and his cousin Melvyn, who looked after Mr Holland well on these jaunts.

Mrs Court said: "He never married or had children, but he did have lots of nieces and nephews who thought the world of him. I have many happy memories of Uncle Tudor, especially when he would be at my mum's for Christmas dinner after a few drinks in the pub celebrating the festivities."

Another fond memory his niece will forever cherish is that of a festival in Wales a few summers ago. Mrs Court took her uncle to see Shirley Bassey and Bryn Terfel in what they thought was a refined concert, but on arrival, the stage had been swapped for a field and the family found themselves dancing to the Welsh singing legends in a cold and wet field with a crowd of thousands.

Mrs Court said she "smiles when I think of it." She added: "He loved this even though the heavens opened, and we resorted to wearing binbags. My two aunts, myself, and Uncle Tudor kept warm with plenty of whisky.

"Uncle Tudor was a jolly person, bless him, and would speak to anyone. He never had a nasty bone in his body. You could hear him singing from across the village.

"Both my children remember him with affection as I am sure all the family do. Uncle Tudor, thank you for being part of our lives. We are all going to miss you."

The funeral of Mr Holland was held on Tuesday, March 13, at St Mary's Church in Bagillt, and the reception held at The Blossoms pub. Mrs Court explained that the Upper Shippe, with its slightly smaller interior, would most probably not have fitted all the loving friends and family who came to pay their final respects to "the best" man in the village.