FLAGS are flying at half-mast over Kington and Lyonshall where communities are mourning the sudden death of their “massive star”,‘Wizard’, described by his former boss as one in 10 million.

Flowers have been placed on ‘Wizard’s roundabout’ at Kington, arranged around a framed photograph of 69-year-old Michael East who was nicknamed after his look-alike, Roy Wood, lead singer of pop band, Wizard. Held in deep affection for warm personality and wit, his loss has devastated people in the town and at Lyonshall where he lived with his wife, Debbie. At a public meeting in the village this week to discuss proposals for the local pub, the Royal George, a packed Memorial village hall observed a minute’s silence in tribute to a man acknowledged by all as a legend in his own lifetime.

“Kington will never be the same without Wizard,” said Allan Edwards, managing director at Kington Building Supplies (KBS) where the recognised “star of Kington” worked for 30 years until his retirement earlier this year. “He was a legend in his own time,” said Mr Edwards.

He expected that up to a thousand mourners could be attending Wizard’s funeral at St Michael & All Angels in Lyonshall on Saturday July 22, where he sang in the choir and carried the processional cross. While his appearance, unruly long hair and huge moustache, skin-tight denims and rock band tee shirts, reflected an “alternative” lifestyle, he was renowned for his strong sense of public duty and a willingness to offer hands-on support.

Once, at a Titley harvest festival service where Lyonshall choir was singing, Wizard forgot to bring his purple cassock. Undaunted, he led the procession, wearing a short surplice revealing his ripped jeans and unlaced work boots, followed by the then Bishop of Hereford, the Rt Rev John Oliver who merely raised an eyebrow.

Wizard served as chairman of Lyonshall Village Hall Committee, and was a stalwart supporter of community events, regularly taking part in Kington’s annual Wheelbarrow Race, and at last month’s event he provided the commentary. He had a huge sense of fun, loved recalling old stories and poems about village life in Herefordshire.

“The whole community is in mourning,” said Emma Hancocks, chairman of Kington Chamber of Trade. “We wanted to put his picture on the roundabout and give people a chance to offer their condolences. No-one knows what to say, he did so much for the town, he really was the star of Kington. He touched so many lives; this is a major loss for us all.

“Wizard’s not someone who could be replaced,” she said. “He was a massive star and this has left a void in our community.”

Proud of his Lyonshall roots, Wizard was instantly recognisable in his blue van with the name of the village emblazoned across the front. He had a wide knowledge of the countryside around him, as well as a strong grasp of the social history of his community, and he had a passion for rock concerts. Said Mr Edwards: “He didn’t have a nasty bone in his body, he was the most wonderful person and everyone is totally devastated. He wasn’t so much one in a million, he was one in 10 million.

“He knew everybody and nothing was ever too much trouble; customers would wait to be served by him,” he said. “He was alternative in everything he did, wearing baseball boots in church which everybody loved. He really was a legend in his own lifetime.”

Among tributes on Facebook, is the post: “Universally loved, a truly awesome man who will be sadly missed.”

Wizard is survived by his wife and their son, Nathan.