KARL Daymond’s life was celebrated last weekend in the same way he lived it, with singing, music and exuberance.

On Sunday 10th September, hundreds of people turned out in tribute to the “larger than life” Chepstow opera singer who died on 9th August aged 52.

The crowd, filled with people with connections to Karl, paraded from the Chepstow Gatehouse, down past Chepstow Castle, over the River Wye before crossing into the fields behind Elmdale into a big top tent.

They were led by Only Drums Aloud, tractor and trailer and an open top vintage bus, one of Karl’s favourites.

Following the parade, a service was held where friends and family reminisced about Karl and the effect he had on them all.

This was interspersed with musical performances from the Singing Club, a group of singers based in Chepstow, the Forest of Dean and Usk, and the female-only Chepstow Chatelaines which were both led by Karl.

The Alasher brothers, Syrian refugees living in Cardiff whom Karl mentored, plus close friend, colleague and singer Pippa Dames-Longworth and opera singer Michael Lowe whom the Singing Club supported also performed among others.

Karl’s husband, Ian MacNeil introduced the service by saying that the exuberant celebration was exactly what he would have wanted.

He said: “Before I met Karl, I wouldn’t have known what to do in the face of death, but is very clear today that you make a lot of noise and wear a lot of colour.

“Karl is very clearly to all of us the gift that keeps on giving, he seems very here today and I’m very glad of that and I’m sure you all are as well.

“Karl was if he was anything, about seizing the moment and that’s what this day is.

“We are determined that there is a good show because he wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Since his passing, a fundraiser in Karl’s name has been raising money for he Kaleidescope Trust, a charity that works with the governments of commonwealth countries to improve the rights of members of LGBT communities.

So far it has raised £4,810.18 and is still taking donations at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/karldaymond