The funeral of Tony Swales took place on Wednesday, October 9.

A huge congregation of more than 250 gathered at All Saints Church, Hutton Rudby.

Tony was born in February 1948 to John and Robina Swales at Toft Hill Farm, Hutton Rudby, where he lived until he married in 1973. Tony spent time working on the farm until joining the speedway world with twin brother Tim.

One of his successes in his riding career was when he and Tim won the Best Pairs event at Middlesbrough. They are believed to be the only twins ever to achieve that.

It was at speedway that he met his wife of 51 years, Catherine. They had three boys, Jonathan, Jamie and Matthew, who all met and married Rachael, Leanne and Becky through speedway connections at Linlithgow and Workington.

He was grandad to six children, Logan, Emma, Koby, Lexi, Nicole and Sophie. His family said Tony was a loving, devoted husband, father and grandad.

His riding career didn’t end with speedway, as he also enjoyed trials and was the only member of the family to complete the Richmondshire Motor Club Scott Trial.

He continued riding trials in the pre-65 class until the early 90s and made the switch over to track preparation early. For more than 20 years he was happy plying his trade at Cleveland Park before the doors were closed at the end of 1996.

Middlesbrough’s closure brought new opportunities, first at Newcastle, then Hull before Workington and later Belle Vue and then a return to Redcar.

In 1999 Tony was one of the main players in the return of racing to Workington.

He was a caring, friendly man who would give help to anyone who asked, and lived his entire life close to the place he was born, only moving twice.

He started married life at Glebe Cottage, Trenholme Bar, and then made the leap across the other side of the A19 to Trenholme House, home for the rest of his life.

Tony’s wishes were to end his days in the home he loved and this was made possible by the care and attention given to him by his family.

Thanks were given to all the doctors, nurses and carers from the Friarage and James Cook Hospital as well as Herriot Hospice Homecare.

A collection was taken at his funeral which will be split between All Saints Church and Herriot Hospice Homecare.