THE chairman and founder of the town’s Sherlock Holmes society, The Deerstalkers of Welshpool, has passed away.

Roy Upton-Holder died peacefully on November 16 in Welshpool Hospital aged 88. His memorial service took place at at Guilsfield Parish Church on Wednesday, December 19.

Roy was a well-known local musician and teacher as well as being president of the Welshpool Music Club.

Deputy chairman of the Deerstalkers, Ian Corke, said: “Everyone I knew described him as a perfect gentleman, always polite even if he disagreed with you and someone who took a pride in his appearance.Wherever he went in Welshpool he was recognised by young and old, many of them his former pupils.

“He was a great admirer of the Sherlock Holmes stories and although he would never have admitted it, one of the foremost authorities on the subject.”

Following the publication of Y Cylch Brith, the first translation of a Sherlock Holmes story into Welsh, Mr Upton-Holder appeared on BBC News.

Mr Upton-Holder named his house Baskerville after the detective’s most famous case and his pet cat Mycroft in honour of Holmes’s brother.

Dennis Duggan, honorary librarian for the Deerstalkers, said: “It was very sad to see Roy deteriorate in hospital, but he remained as cheerful and positive as he could right up to the last few days.

“He was a lovely man, and I will miss him.”

Heidi and Phil Addicott said: “Roy is no longer here to calmly lead us. We will miss this special gentleman with his humour and wit. Smiles always accompanied a conversation with Roy.

Even though Roy will be missing, he has inspired us to keep his society going. The Deerstalkers of Welshpool will remain as a tribute to a true gentleman, Roy Upton-Holder, from the society members who came to regard him as a friend.”

Roy’s wife Joan is also a well-known music teacher.

Before they moved to Welshpool around 19 years ago they did the same in Whetstone area of North London where Roy founded the Ionian Clarinet Choir.

Music runs in the family: Roy’s late brother Ray Holder was a cellist and his son Ian is a violinist.