Hundreds pay their respects to ex-mayor
Hundreds turned out to pay their final respects to a long-serving councillor and former mayor of Dudley who died earlier this month aged 79.
A service of thanksgiving and celebration for the life of Councillor Malcolm Knowles was held at St Thomas's Church, in Stourbridge. It followed an earlier private cremation service.
Residents, friends, civic dignitaries and Dudley Council workers filled the church, in Market Street, on Monday to honour Councillor Knowles.
Among those gathered were Dudley's present mayor Councillor Melvyn Mottram and councillors from all parties on the authority.
Classic cars, one of the father-of-three's passions, were parked up along the street by friends before the service as a tribute.
The service was led by Councillor Knowles' friend and fellow councillor Liz Walker who is a minister in the Diocese of Worcester.
It was Councillor Knowles' personal request she conduct the service.
The gathering stood to sing Jerusalem as his family entered the church before councillor Walker gave an introduction.
Two of Councillor Knowles' grandchildren, Jessica and Charlotte, sang during the service and a reading was given by Dudley Council chief executive John Polychronakis. Councillor Walker said: "It was a lovely service and a fitting tribute to Malcolm.
"He would have been so pleased and proud to see so many people gathered.
"Malcolm was a true gentleman and a committed councillor."
Councillor Knowles, who lived with his wife Shirleyanne in Oldswinford, died following a short illness.
He served on the council between 1975 and 1995 and was re-elected again in 2002. Councillor Knowles represented the Wollaston and Stourbridge Town ward.
Councillor Knowles served as lead member for regeneration from 2006 to 2009.
