Ulster Unionists pay tribute to stalwart James McKay

In their joint statement, Mr Swann and Rev Coulter said: “An era in Clough has ended with the death of James McKay.

“Such was the esteem in which James was held in the village community, he was regarded as the unofficial ‘Mayor of Clough.’

“He will be remembered for his sterling work in the Clough True Blues band, where he was a band leader.

“James was very active in the Loyal Orders and as a talented musician would entertain many with his banjo.

“He had the village of Clough at heart. He got flowers from the Ballymena Council and would attend to them once they were planted. He regularly got the annual village Christmas Tree which he erected every year.

“He loved his church, Newtowncrumlin Presbyterian and he will be sadly missed from the church choir where he sang for a lifetime.

“James was also an active member of the Clough UUP branch for all his life and Rev Coulter and James were in the same branch for many years.

“The immense crowd who attended his funeral was testimony to the respect in which he was held. Indeed, his funeral brought the village to a standstill.

“We tender our sympathies to his widow and the family circle. Clough will not be the same without James,” said Mr Swann and Rev Coulter.