RICHARD Allum who worked with the trade unions at the Cowley car factory over three decades, has died aged 81.

A life-long member of the Labour Party, it was this connection that saw Mr Allum, known to his friends as Dick, become active in the trade union movement.

From the 1960s through to the 1980s he worked with shop steward and union representatives at the car plant, where he was a well known figure.

His son Paul Allum said: "Because he was there for so long he saw how much the industry changed and said he was always amazed by this.

"Right through from when things were still being done by hand, to the more modern era with mechanical assembly."

A deeply religious man, Mr Allum also served as a governor at Plater College, a Catholic adult residential college in Pullens Lane in Headington.

His son said: "He devoted a lot of his life to helping other people, that was the sort of person he was. He was an incredibly kind and caring man."

When he was not helping others, Mr Allum loved nothing more than to go walking or enjoy a pint of ale in a nice pub.

Mr Allum passed away on Friday, October 3, in the Duchess of Kent Hospice in Reading.

He was pre-deceased by his wife Madeleine and is survived by his three children and ten grandchildren.

His funeral was held at Our Lady and St John's Church, in Goring, on Tuesday.