TRIBUTES have been paid to a “local legend” who lived in Thornton-le-Dale all his life.

Neville Clubley, known as Nev, died on October 28, after a short stay in Scarborough Hospital, aged 84.

Born on the day of 1935 Thornton-le-Dale Show, Nev lived in Castle Garth for more than 50 years with his wife Barbara.

The couple have one son John, seven grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

After leaving school at the age of 15, Nev went to work at J Charles Builders of Whitby Gate until his retirement at the age of 65.

Alison Gilbert, one of Nev’s grand-children, said: “Grandfather was very artistic and loved to paint and also loved his woodwork, where he would spend many hours a day in his shed.

“He had a lovely, large back garden which he loved to tend and kept rows of vegetables, which would always be used every Sunday lunch time. He had a love for dogs and his late dogs, Bobby and Beau. He loved his long walks across the moors and local areas on a Sunday afternoon and could often be seen taking his grandchildren Amanda, Trevor and Kristina and myself with him.”

Alison said: “Grandfather was a well-loved character of Thornton-le-Dale in which everyone and their dog knew him.

“His morning ritual would be to go and feed the ducks at the local pond, then go for his morning papers, while chatting outside Garbutts (Wardill Bros) to his friends and all that passed by.

“He would also be seen many evenings propping up the bar in a local pub.

“He was the handy man in Thornton to help people take away rubbish to cutting down trees for the locals, nothing would be any trouble for him and he really enjoyed helping everyone.”

Alison said her grandfather was also well known for driving his vintage tractor and taking part in local shows, rallies and tractor runs for charity.

She said: “He was part of a local tractor club and enjoyed going on charity runs raising money especially for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

“My grandfather was a local legend in Thornton-le-Dale and well loved among everyone in the village and family.

“For his funeral we have arranged to escort grandfather to the church on the back of his beloved tractor for his final ride out. A tractor convoy will also follow him to the church”

Nev’s funeral will take place on Friday, November 15, at noon, at All Saints’ Church, Thornton-le-Dale.