A TRIBUTE has been given to a man who made an immense contribution to Ripon Cathedral.

Cathedral Dean, the Very Reverend John Methuen, praised Kelvin Gott, who died recently aged 65, following a long fight against leukaemia.

Dean Methuen said Mr Gott had sung in the choir as a boy chorister, bass and alto, spanning half a century.

He said: "His commitment to the cathedral was immense and, a Riponian born and bred, he was extremely knowledgeable about many aspects of the city, cathedral and hinterland."

The Dean said Mr Gott would be sorely missed as a colleague and friend.

Mr Gott was still singing in the choir until a few weeks before his death.

He also played a leading role in the local St Cecilia Orchestra and the Cathedral Concert Society.

A double bass player, he was a member of the National Youth Orchestra in the 1950s.

After studying at the Slade School of Fine Art, in London, he returned to Ripon as art master and housemaster at his former school, Ripon Grammar.

A guide at Ripley Castle, near Harrogate, Mr Gott was also a musician, artist, historian, magistrate and educationalist.

As a magistrate and later chairman of the Ripon bench, Mr Gott played a key role in the campaign to try to prevent the Lord Chancellor from closing Ripon Liberty Court and transferring it to Harrogate.

Mr Gott died at home and his funeral service was held at Ripon Cathedral.