HAY-ON-WYE'S last stationmaster, who was renowned in the town for his old fashioned gentlemanly manners, has died peacefully aged 95.

Maurice John was an exceptional community stalwart who won the British Empire Medal for his services to the town, was deeply involved with Hay's organisations and charities and the town's last stationmaster - but was best known for one little detail.

Raised hat

"He always wore a hat and whether it was a trilby, a panama or his gardening hat, he would always raise it to a lady," said daughter, Rosemary Trinder.

She describes her father, whose funeral was at St Mary's Church on February 24, as a true 'old-fashioned gentleman'.

It was a sad day for Maurice when the station closed. Previously stationmaster on the Oxford to Fairford line, he had arrived in Hay in 1962, only to find the station closing at the end of the year.

But with wife Gladys, he had thrown himself into the life of the town, establishing the Oxfam shop, organising the refurbishment of the almshouses, researching the town's history for a book with the Hay Study Group and filling many roles at St Mary's Church, even taking the odd service when nobody else was available.

"He was extremely well known. The church was well filled for his funeral and a lot of people came back to the Swan for a celebration of his life," added Mrs Trinder.