VETERANS of Keighley’s music scene joined family and friends for the funeral of legendary local singer, songwriter and guitarist Ashley Cartwright.

Mourners filled Oakworth Crematorium today as Ashley’s coffin arrived with his trademark top hat in pride of place on top.

Family members paid tribute to the “very popular and talented” 57-year-old during the service, and his partner Yvonne Gillson sang a song to a guitar accompaniment.

Yvonne also read the lyrics of a song Ashley originally wrote about historic Keighley figure Jimmy Nylon, but with the lyrics changed to refer to Ashley himself.

Ingrow-born Ashley started in bands as a teenager and in the late 70s and early 80s fronted the Shakes, one of Keighley's best-remembered rock bands.

His songs included 51st State Of America, which reached number 71 in the national pop indie charts after being covered by New Model Army.

He went on to lead bands like Hunting Party and Inarcadia, but it was in the past five years that he returned to the live music scene in Black Horse Fairy.

The band claimed to be “time travelling artisans” with fictional alter-egos, Ashley becoming known to a new generation of fans as Archie Blackwell.

He began writing songs with the band’s singer Yvonne Gillson and they went on to become a couple, familiar figures walking around the Haworth and Keighley area in their distinctive period costumes.

Ashley’s stepdaughter Sarah Carr, whose mother Tess was married to Ashley for 24 years, paid tribute at the funeral service, telling of the huge part he played in her life, first as a child then as a young mother.

She said: “Ashley lived an amazing and life and he was fiercely loved. He was so many things to so many people – everyone knew him in different guises.

“He was open and transparent with his friendships. His love of art, music and literature burned so bright that he attracted the most wonderful friends.

“I know that for the last five years he found a new life and renewed sense of passion.”

Yvonne described Ashley as a man of quick wit and intelligence, who was also been fantastic writer.

“I met him at a band meeting and we started with long walks across the moors before weaving the magic that was Black Horse Fairy.

“Ashley was an alchemist, full of mischief. He had integrity, passion and intelligence, and he was a joy to be with.”