Politicians, trade unionists, pitmen, friends and relatives gathered to remember former Durham County Council leader Albert Nugent yesterday. Mark Tallentire reports.

‘HIS epitaph will be: The union man.”

With those words, David Guy concluded his eulogy and returned to his pew, slightly right of front centre, at Christ Church, Seaham.

The Durham Miners’ Association (DMA) president was among more than 200 well-wishers who packed the church for the funeral of Albert Nugent, who died on Good Friday, aged 67, following a long illness.

At times, it seemed they were mourning not only Councillor Nugent, but an era.

Earlier, Mr Guy had begun: “Albert Nugent: friend, comrade, pitman, miner, socialist, councillor, union man; probably most important, family man.”

Seaham-born, Coun Nugent was a miner most of his working life and served as the National Union of Mineworkers’ (NUM) secretary for Vane Tempest Colliery.

During the 1984-5 Miners’ Strike, he organised fundraising and pickets, leading one colliery manager to label him “Horrible Albert”, Mr Guy recalled.

But he took it as a compliment, printing T-shirts reading: Horrible Albert, Horrible Albert’s wife, Horrible Albert’s kids and Horrible Albert’s pickets.

Later, he was the spark for what became a £2bn vibration white finger compensation claim, Mr Guy continued.

“He liked representing the most vulnerable in society – the elderly, the young people, the disabled and the sick.

“Did Albert Nugent make a difference? Yes. You don’t have to take my word for it, there’s thousands of people who Albert Nugent helped.”

Throughout the service, the NUM Seaham lodge banner hung still behind his coffin, covered in red roses.

Later, he was buried with his pit lamp, yards from a colliery memorial, as Pittington Brass Band played Gresford, the miners’ hymn.

As council leader from May 2006 to May 2008, Coun Nugent took most pride in saving seven care homes from closure, Mr Guy noted. His family have vowed to continue his campaign.

Coun Nugent leaves his wife, Margaret, children Jacklene, Albert, Margaret, Carole and Gloria, 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

With his sisters beside him, Albert Jnr told the church: “To us, he was our dad.

“There are so many treasured memories of our childhood it’s impossible to know where to start.

“He loved us all the same, not favouring one more than others, but making us all feel special.”

■ The Northern Echo attended the funeral with the family’s permission.