MUSICIAN and former Cowley car plant worker Ron Sudworth, has died aged 77 from prostate cancer.

Born in Yorkshire in 1933, Mr Sudworth came to Oxford in 1953, at the end of his National Service.

He moved to the city at the invitation of renowned bandsman Harry Mortimer, to join Morris Motors Band, the Southern Area Champions and a popular broadcasting band.

He also began working in the car factory as a storeman.

The move south suited Mr Sudworth, and he met his wife Barbara at a works mixed hockey match.

They married in 1955 and had three children, Lynne, Martyn, and Nick.

At first the family lived in Campbell Road, Florence Park, moving to Crowell Road, Cowley, in 1971.

In the late 1950s, Mr Sudworth’s musical interest was widened to include the dance band, and on many evenings he played trumpet with the Oxford-based Trevor Benham Dance Orchestra.

In 1973, he was the leading light in the formation of the Kennington Youth Band, which became the Kennington (Oxford) Band of which he was the musical director.

The band also had Lynne playing trombone and Martyn on euphonium. They were joined by Nick on drums, with Barbara as librarian.

Joining the Oxfordshire and District Brass Band Association, Mr Sudworth became chairman in October 1976, and was soon organising massed band concerts. He was elected president in l996.

A heart by-pass operation in 1980 did not dampen his drive and spirit.

The following year, he was honoured to be invited with Barbara to a garden party at Buckingham Palace, where they met the Queen.

He retired from the car factory in 1993, having risen to a number of senior roles.

He had 11 grandchildren at the time of his death, and he was never happier than sitting at the head of a table surrounded by them all at a gathering or party.

Mr Sudworth died on March 11, and his funeral at Oxford Crematorium on March 22 was attended by 350 people. A concert is being planned in his memory.