HE was the man who oversaw a major change in direction for one of Tynedale’s oldest family businesses.

Eric Scudamore guided the traditional horse-drawn taxi business in Haydon Bridge into the path of motor car repairs in the late 1940s.

Now tributes have been paid to Eric, who died on September 21 aged 86, following a short illness.

Born and bred at Haydon Bridge, Eric attended the village’s Shaftoe Trust School, before leaving at the age of 14.

A motor car enthusiast, he was always destined for a career with the family firm, A. Scudamore, which dates back to the 1880s.

And apart from two years National Service in the aftermath of the Second World War, in which Eric was posted to Germany and Wales with the RAF, Eric did just that.

Eric’s son Simon, who continues to run the business today alongside his brother Martin, said: “There was a transitional period in the 1930s and 40s when the business, which originally specialised in carts, moved on to motor cars.

“Dad joined in the late 1940s, but he was instrumental in those early days of establishing the car garage that we have today.

“He worked for the business until retiring in his 60s, and always took a very keen interest.”

Away from the garage, Eric was a keen badminton player in his younger days.

He loved Gatehouse of Fleet, on the Kirkcudbrightshire coast in Scotland, and enjoyed holidays at its Sandgreen Caravan Park.

Closer to home, he was a member of the men’s fellowship at Haydon Bridge.

Eric was widowed in 1985 following the death of his wife, Thelma. The couple had three children, Simon, Martin and Lisa.

He went on to meet Ethel, his long-term partner, and they spent many happy years together.

Days before his death, Eric attended the wedding of his grandson Jevon and wife Leanne at St Cuthbert’s Church, Haydon Bridge.

St Cuthbert’s was the venue of his funeral on September 29, which was well attended by family and friends.

Simon and Martin are the fourth generation of the Scudamore family to run the business.

It operated from its original base on John Martin Street, until moving to a bigger premises at the Station Yard, just off Church Street, four years ago.