AROUND 100 Volkswagen enthusiasts drove in convoy to pay tribute at a funeral for a fellow car enthusiast.

Ralph Thomas, of Old Cwmbran, who died aged 69 on Boxing Day, following heart problems, had been a Volkswagen 'Dubber' - a VW fan (Volkswagen) - for more than 50 years. Mr Thomas was born in 1947 in Brynmawr and was an only child.

The family later emigrated to California, where his father opened a VW garage but later returned to South Wales.

Jo Pritchard, who knew Mr Thomas for 15 years, said “he loved everything about VW”.

She said: “I think his father got him into VW.

“He was passionate about it and joined the South Wales Dubbers group.”

Ms Pritchard, who set up the South Wales Dubbers group for VW fans, added she had lost a “true friend”.

She said: “Our group will never be the same without him.

“He was interested and involved in everything that our group did - and when we would go camping he always made us laugh.

“He was a lovely and kind man.

“We will all remember him fondly and have happy memories of him.”

The South Wales Dubber group decided to meet at the Park Way Hotel yesterday (Wednesday, January 18) and then proceed to the funeral.

The humanist funeral, which took place at Croesyceiliog Crematorium, saw hundreds of people turn out to pay tribute to the former VW fan.

Mr Thomas’ coffin arrived in his Volkswagen Bay Window vehicle.

The funeral began with Hotel California by The Eagles and Sue Lawford, who is a humanist celebrant, welcomed people and spoke of Mr Thomas.

Ms Lawford talked of Mr Thomas’ role in the Vietnam war and his past jobs at British Steel and the Congress Theatre.

A friend, who was at the funeral, paid tribute to the “VW lover” and called him a “true dubber”.

He said: “Ralph had rescued so many people from the side of the road - that is what he always did.

“Ralph Thomas you’re a legend.”

Jaci Thomas, who is Mr Thomas’ widow, said: “He was a man with a big heart.

“He was my rock and the love of my life.”

Before the funeral, Nicolette Mogford, who met Mr Thomas at the South Wales Dubbers group, said she would miss Mr Thomas’ “uniqueness”.

She said: “Ralph would have enjoyed seeing this - there must have been 95 vehicles here.

“Our group is a family.

“We will miss him greatly because we were very close to him.

“He was unique and a one of a kind.”

John ‘Beech Buggy’ Waters, who is also a member of the South Wales Dubbers, was one of many people to pay tribute to the former Volkswagen enthusiast.

He said: “Ralph was networking and helping before either existed.

“He was a kind man and I have very fond memories of him.”

Nick Channing, another friend of the late Mr Thomas, said: “He was always helping people, no matter how big or small the problem.

“His helpfulness earned him the nickname Ralph ‘Rescue’ Thomas.”

He added: “We’ll really miss him.”

The funeral closed with Bat Out of Hell by Meatloaf.