A fond farewell was bid to the 'incredibly well-respected' Hon Recorder of Chester , who 'cared and did so much for the city' today (Friday, February 19).

Chester dignitaries and countless figures from the local legal community turned out in force for the funeral of Judge Elgan Edwards at Chester Cathedral, in a service officiated by close friend and Dean of Chester Gordon McPhate.

Judge Edwards, 72 - the UK’s longest serving circuit judge and resident judge for Chester - passed away at the Countess of Chester Hospital on January 28, having been on long term sick leave for just over a year.

His death sparked a huge outpouring of tributes from those who knew and respected him, with many praising his 'penetrating intellect, good judgement and boundless enthusiasm.'

The cathedral Nave was packed out with almost 1,000 people for the funeral, which featured a eulogy from His Honour Stephen Clark.

A 'lovely' man

Speaking following the service, former Chronicle journalist Lucy Meacock paid tribute to the 'lovely' man and said she thought it was 'absolutely right' that Chester came to a standstill to remember him.

Lucy also credits Judge Edwards with bringing her sister Anna Newman together with her husband Judge Charles Newman.

She said she was interviewing him for the Chester Chronicle in his former capacity as a city councillor when he introduced her to Judge Charles Newman, who she went on to introduce to her sister.

Adding that the service was very 'moving', Judge Newman described his old friend and colleague Judge Edwards as a 'very witty man, quite the best company in town one to one'.

A 'fitting' tribute

Hymns at the service included Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer, The Lord's My Shepherd and Jerusalem, while the cathedral choir sang Nunc Dimittis.

A poem, Crossing the Bar, by George Tennyson, was read out at the service by Judge Edwards' godson. At the end of the service, a blessing was given by the Bishop of Chester.

Former Cheshire West and Chester Council leader Cllr Mike Jones, who attended with his wife Suzanne, said the funeral was a 'very fitting tribute to a very popular man who cared and did so much for the city'.

"He was a lovely chap and incredibly well-respected, as seen by the attendance here today," added Cllr Jones.

"I feel very sad for his family because I think he has been taken a bit too early in his life."

Five city centre streets were temporarily closed to the public, to allow for the procession to access the cathedral, and a small police presence was in operation nearby.