TOWNSFOLK came together to give their fond farewells to a true community champion at his funeral today.

People from all walks of life joined family and friends for the funeral of Syd Howarth, described as a “humble” man, but a “giant figure” in the development of Newton Aycliffe.

Dubbed by many as ‘Mr Newton Aycliffe’ the printing business operator was far more than a businessman, but also the founder and former editor of the popular community paper, Newton News, which he played a key role in, until the last weeks of his life.

Apart from being a devoted family man, he aided many causes in the Newton Aycliffe area, and was considered a deserving recipient of the MBE in 2015, an honour he chose to be presented with in his home town, by Durham’s Lord Lieutenant, Sue Snowdon, rather than attend a royal investiture at Buckingham Palace.

Mrs Snowdon was among a packed congregation at St Clare’s Church, Newton Aycliffe, where Mr Howarth was a former warden.

There was not a spare pew and it was standing room only at the rear and sides of the church.

The service was relayed by loudspeaker to towns people outside in the nearby Thames Centre.

Many lined the road as the funeral cortege approached the church, along St Cuthbert’s Way, having symbolically passed Mr Howarth’s Newton Press business premises, and the nearby local landmarks of the Blue Bridge, and the Rotary town sign, which he was the driving force behind.

His six grandsons acted as pall-bearers, carrying his coffin into church, to the playing of Hallelujah Chorus, from Handel’s Messiah.

They were followed by other family members, including sons Paul, Stuart and Christopher, grand and great grandchildren, and Mr Howarth’s companion of the last 12 years, Barbara.

While mourning Mr Howarth’s recent death, from Motor Neurone Disease, at the age of 81, the funeral was also a chance to reflect on and celebrate his life.

Church chaplain Pam Lovelass welcomed mourners followed by a reading by Great Aycliffe town councillor, John Clare.

But he began by paying tribute to the influence played by Mr Howarth.

“Syd was a man who had a huge part in the forming of Newton Aycliffe into the community we have today.

“He did so not as a politician or a civic leader, but he wanted local people to have their voice and did so as a local businessman.”

Community singers, the MAD Choir performed moving renditions of Wonderful World and the fitting If I Can Help Somebody, family members tributes were read by civic figures, including fellow Rotarian Geoff Knapton, while long-standing friend, and also a member of Newton Aycliffe Rotary Club, Don Walker, spoke of Syd’s, “life of caring and sharing”.

Following a sombre piece of music from Puccini’s La Boheme, prayers were said by the Reverend Mike Dixon, and Rector Ann Anderson, before mourners filed out from the church to the sound of Trumpet Voluntary, by the London Symphony Orchestra.

Family members and close friends then attended the committal, at Wear Valley Crematorium, before Syd’s was fondly remembered at the Xcel Centre, where funeral-goers gathered for refreshments, after the service.

A collection was made in aid of Motor Neurone Disease charities and church funds.