A MUSICIAN from Pontypool, who conducted and led a Torfaen choir for more than four decades, has died at the age of 82.

Walford Hutchings from New Inn was the musical director of Pontnewydd Male Choir from 1970 until retiring in December 2012, spending over 40 years at the helm.

Earlier that year he received an MBE for services to music and the borough of Torfaen.

He passed away on Friday, July 29.

Named after composer Sir Walford Davies, he was born into a musical family, and had his first piano lesson aged six and began singing lessons when he was nine.

In his junior singing career, he won hundreds of prizes at eisteddfods as a boy soprano.

As an adult, he switched from a career in industry to teaching and became head of music at Blackwood Comprehensive School, before he retired in 1992.

His switch from music to teaching followed spells working at County Hall and in the RAF,

Mr Hutchings had also conducted Blaenavon Male Choir but it was his long stewardship at Pontnewydd that saw him clock up hundreds of concerts across the UK, including the Royal Albert Hall, as well as internationally.

Since retiring from choral music, he was active in the local community, notably as a member and officer of the Probus Club of Pontypool.

As organist at St Mary's Church, Panteg, he played at numerous weddings and funerals spanning many years, where he was also chairman of St Mary's Men's Society.

Fittingly for the church’s organist, he will have his funeral service at the same church where he played so frequently on Thursday, August 11 at 2 pm.

Mr Hutchings is survived by his wife of 58 years, Enid, his two children, four grandchildren and his family’s newest edition, a great-grandson Henry who was born in March.

Mr Hutchings’ family would like to extend their gratitude to the nursing staff at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport for the care they showed him during his final days.