A FUNERAL service for the popular antiques restorer Blair Shenstone was held at the Westmill Woodland Burial Ground after he died at the age of 73.

Friends and family paid their respects to the well-known Old Town man who used to drive people around in his classic Allard L-Type car.

The Anglo-Canadian moved to Swindon in the early 70’s to work for Nationwide and later set up his own antiques business town, where he became a specialist in brass inlays. Boxes, tables and all manner of furniture were restored to their full glory in his workshop.

Blair’s brother Saxon Shenstone said: “We were very close and I visited him on a regular basis. He was always happy to bring his car along to events and lend it to a good cause and pick people up. He was very helpful.

“Blair was a man who liked to party. His parties were notorious. He was lively but also calm and gentle and I only remember seeing him angry once. I have a lot of good memories associated with the Allard.”

Friends and family shared their memories of the Blair at the funeral and one friend even played a tune on the violin. A wake was held at The Beehive pub, the wooden interior of which Blair redesigned some 25 years ago.

Historian Lance Cole was one of the friends who spoke at the funeral. He told the Adver: “He wasn’t a loud person but he could talk about anything. He was interested in lots of things and was interesting himself. He travelled all over the world, loved jazz music, and he was a fantastic cook.”

Blair’s father Beverley was a director for British Airways and helped to design the elliptical wing of the iconic Supermarine Spitfire. Blair was able to travel far and wide because of an around-the-world plane ticket he received from his Dad, but he also made trips to Belgium, France and Scotland in his Allard.

He even displayed the rare 1949 model car at the Silverstone Classic, having originally bought it for the bargain price of £5. It too received the trademark Shenstone restoration treatment after the businessman got his hands on it.

Lance added: “Beverley worked on the technical designs of the Spitfire so Blair carried on with the family tradition of working with wood. He had a passion for woodwork, cars, boats and he restored furniture for top auction houses.”

Saxon informed the Adver that his brother had once meticulously restored a set of 15 ivory-clad dining chairs. Blair designed a pattern to engrave on them and spent 200 hours on each chair to make sure they were perfect for the client.

Jayne Copping commented on his death notice: “Bye Bye Blair. You were a true gentleman and an amazing dancer. You helped me and my family over many years and I loved you for it.”