ARTIST Tom Lal - one of the most colourful and well-known personalities in the north Cotswolds - has passed away peacefully after a long, happy and contented life.

With his trademark flat cap, pipe and ‘half a cloudy’, Tom was known by nearly everyone in Stow-on-the-Wold, where he had lived for more than 40 years.

A true one off, he enjoyed an astonishingly varied life filled with friends, family, humour, art, teaching, books, cricket, the Guardian and plenty of beer - which was usually provided in half pints by an ever widening circle of ‘benefactors’.

His son Tamash said: "Dad got on with everyone and was hugely popular wherever he went.

"He loved living in Stow and had many friends ranging from builders to lords.

"He had a natural ability to bring people together and was held in great affection by all."

Tom passed away in his sleep on Monday, August 8 in Horton General Hospital, Banbury aged 89 after suffering a stroke in April.

Born into a world of convention, Tom was a free spirit who ploughed his own furrow throughout the course of his long life, which began in Lahore, India in 1927.

Along with two friends, he moved to London in the late 1950s.

Tom was a founder member of New Barns School in Toddington – a pioneering therapeutic community for children with behavioural problems which helped hundreds of young people from 1965 until its closure in 1992.

He taught art, using the subject as a therapeutic tool.

John Slowley, who worked with Tom at New Barns, said: “Tom almost specialised in giving acceptance to the most chaotic and troubled children.

“Those who had endured violence and neglect would love to spend time with him in his workshop.

“He epitomised everything that was good about New Barns - tolerance, understanding, safety, honesty and he gave a tremendous personal contribution of imagination, artistry and good conversation."

Rich Rollinson, executive director of the Planned Environment Therapy Trust, which is now based on the New Barns site, said: "Tom was a warm, creative and insightful friend of PETT whose infectious presence will be greatly missed."

As an artist, Tom, who lived in King George's Field, Stow, was always looking for new challenges.

Over the years he worked with oil paints, clay, wood, stone, bronze and stained glass.

His work was exhibited at the Royal Festival Hall and the Roundhouse in London among many other venues.

“Dad's workshop was exactly what an artist’s studio should be,” said Tamash.

“It was a chaotic, creative mess filled with all sorts of tools and equipment, drawings and books and had a wonderful smell of oil paints and turpentine.”

His wife Liz said: "He was influenced by many artists including Brancusi and the German Expressionists, he loved their bright colours.

"He discovered that his work was rather like Chagall's and got fed up with people who told him so!"

His daughter Judith added: "As children, Dad would always place his latest work before us and ask us what we thought.

"He would quote Picasso in saying 'Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up'.

"Dad seemed to instinctively know the importance of never losing that playfulness."

Away from art, Tom was a fantastic cook and could produce delicious Indian food at the drop of a hat.

"He once invented a sauce called the Nuclear Bomb," said Tamash.

"The smell alone made your eyes water!"

His curry nights at various pubs were always popular as were his cricket matches, which featured his own team, the Tom Lal XI.

“We would like to thank everyone in Stow for their friendship and great humour over the years," said Tamash.

"We would also like to extend our thanks to Ann and Ricky Little and Dad’s great mate Titus for their help and support since his stroke.

"We are so grateful that Dad initially made a fairly good recovery which meant that my brother Raman and his girlfriend Naomi, who live in Australia, were able to visit him before his condition declined.

"Thanks must also go to all the amazing staff at Stow Surgery, Dr Tim Healey, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, the North Cotswolds Hospital and the Horton."

A celebration of Tom's life will be held on Wednesday, August 31 at 3pm at Wellesbourne Crematorium with drinks in the Royal British Legion, Stow afterwards.

All welcome - bright clothes only please.