TRIBUTES have been paid to one of Llangollen’s best-known figures from the world of amateur dramatics and voluntary work who has died at the age of 80.

Mike Law died at his home last week leaving a wife, two sons and two granddaughters behind.

Details have been arranged for Mr Law’s funeral to take place at St Collen’s Church at noon on Thursday, December 19, and then at Wrexham Crematorium for 1.30pm.

Born in Derby, he went on from a local school to study at Liverpool University following which he worked as a teacher in the city and later became a lecturer in English and drama at the I.M Marsh College of Education.

After joining HM Inspectorate of Education, he was transferred to its Wrexham office which is when he moved with his family to Wales.

He had met his wife Enid, who was originally from Bangor, at an education conference in Southport when they were both teaching and married in 1967.

Both of their sons trained as journalists, Bryn going on to become a reporter with Sky Sports and now a freelance sports commentator living with his family in Leeds. His brother Tom, who once worked for the Wrexham Leader, is a freelance copywriter based in Cardiff.

The Laws’ two granddaughters are Megan - who is at Durham University - and Millie, who attends a sixth-form college in Leeds.

Despite taking early retirement from the education inspectorate Mr Law was persuaded to return to education by undertaking lecturing stints at NEWI, the forerunner of Wrexham’s Glyndwr University, and eventually become head of the college’s education department.

He retired, this time permanently, 20 years ago but remained extremely active in a number of spheres locally.

For many years, Mike Law was an active member of the Twenty Club, not only appearing in many of the groups most memorable stage productions but also helping out behind the scenes.

He took prominent roles in the Twenty Club’s most successful performance of the past decade or so, including playing Captain Mainwaring in Dad’s Army and Love on the Dole, where he acted alongside his wife Enid.

Sian Glynne-Jones, chair of Twenty Club, said: “Mike has been a member of the club since 1985. He has been very active member up until the last year. Since then, he has continued to support us by coming along to our performances and helping when he could.

“His dedication to the club also means that when Mike did not have a key role directing or on stage, he was happy to do the less prominent, but still essential, roles of props, backstage or front of house.”

He twice served as president of Llangollen Rotary Club and was assistant governor of the local Rotary district.

Gethin Davies, on behalf of Llangollen Rotary Club, said: “The sudden and unexpected passing of Mike Law has been a great shock to all who knew him, but particularly to the members of the Rotary Club of Llangollen.

“Mike was a most valued member of the club, having joined it over 30 years ago. He had held office as President twice, each time with marked success. He served on various committees, chairing the Vocational Service committee while only in his second year of membership.

“Each commitment he took on was fulfilled with enthusiasm, flair and good humour. Everything that Mike did was done well. He will be sadly missed by his many friends and particularly by the members of the Rotary Club of which he was such a distinguished member.”

One of his later achievements was founding the Llangollen Cancer Support Group nearly a decade ago, which continues to do much to support those with prostate cancer.

Paying tribute to him, Ian Parry, a fellow member of the cancer support group, said: “Mike founded the group nearly 10 years ago and remained as chair all that time until illness forced him to step down last year.

“He made it clear that the group existed for all men with prostate problems not just cancer. All those who attend or have attended meetings of the group are grateful for the support and friendship it provides which would not have been the case if Mike had not had the foresight to establish the group all those years ago.”