Albert to be buried with pit lamp
 
Sunderland Echo
 
10 April 2010

By Fiona Thompson

A FORMER miner who fought for his industry and campaigned for his town for almost two decades is to be buried with his pit lamp.

Albert Nugent, who also served as a councillor, will be dressed in his kilt and also be accompanied by letters, photographs and other items from his family as he makes his final journey on Thursday.

A horse-drawn cortege will take him from his home in Windermere Road, Seaham, to his funeral, which will be held in Christ Church, Station Road, at noon.

Pittington Brass Band will performed Ballerina as he is taken into the service, with Gresford, the Miners' Hymn, to he played as he is laid to rest in the neighbouring graveyard, just yards away from its colliery memorial.

The newest banner for Seaham Colliery, known as the Knack, will also be put on show at the service, with black drapes to be added to the display.

Eulogies are expected to be made by the great-grandfather's family and NUM Durham Area's leaders, Dave Hopper and Dave Guy.

Coun Nugent, who was first elected to represent the Deneside ward on Durham County Council in 1991, died on Friday, April 2, at home with his wife Margaret by his side.

The 67-year-old, who began working as a miner at Dawdon pit at the age of 15, had suffered a stroke and used oxygen to help him with chest problems.

An inquest into his death, thought to be linked to industrial-related disease, has been opened and adjourned by the coroner.

Since his death, his family have been inundated with cards and flowers, along with letters from those who worked alongside Coun Nugent as a member of the NUM and as a councillor.

His wife Margaret, a member of Seaham Town Council and a former district councillor, has vowed to continued his fight to save care homes facing closure by the county council.

While flowers are welcome at the funeral, she has asked any donations made in lieu of bouquets are given to the NSPCC, a charity supported by the family.