FOR many years Ray ‘Merlin’ Rutter looked out across the Market Cross in Glastonbury, wishing people well as they passed.

When he passed away earlier this year at the age of 77, the people of Glastonbury united in a bid to keep his spirit alive in the town.

That aim has now been fulfilled, with the unveiling of a mural sitting above the Market Cross, depicting the town’s favourite wizard throwing his trademark ‘peace’ sign, a smile on his face – as so many remember him.

The mural – created by town artist Tom Elswood – was unveiled on Sunday (April 27), with dozens gathering to pay tribute to Ray – and to hail the new mural.

They were accompanied by the Glastonbury Dragon Drummer, with a number of attendees dressing in blue, or dressed in wizard garb, in honour of Ray.

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Before the unveiling, Gabriel Avalon, who has coordinated the fundraising effort and organisation of the mural, thanked everyone who had supported the project.

“I just wanted to thank every last one of you that have supported this since the beginning. I could not have done it without you, all of you,” he said.

The mural in honour of Ray ‘Merlin’ Rutter has been unveiled in the centre of Glastonbury. Picture: Paul Jones/Leveller

Ray passed away after it is believed he suffered a stroke, prompting an outpouring of grief in the town.

Glastonbury and Somerton MP, Sarah Dyke, even tabled an early day motion recognising his legacy as a “true embodiment of the community spirit that makes Glastonbury so special”.

Raymond ‘Merlin’ Rutter was a popular sight on the streets of Glastonbury