Bert Turner tributes: Bilston's champion left nobody behind
Amid the glitz and glamour, the black ties and the stunning dresses, the celebrities and the footballers, Bert Turner reminded us of the true grit of Wolverhampton.
His time as mayor in 2011-12 was one of highs and lows. Wolverhampton celebrated 10 years as a city, recalls Express & Star Political Editor Daniel Wainwright.
But it was also rocked by the shocking 'August riots' where shops were looted.
As mayor, Bert spoke at Molineux to honour five of the greatest sons and daughters of Wolverhampton.
But he also wanted to remember an ordinary man, doing an ordinary job in extraordinarily difficult times.
He spoke of Eric Beckett, the Queen Street jeweller whose shop was trashed in the riots.
"The resolve of that man", he said. "That man is a true Wulfrunian who would not let them beat him. He is a role model for us all."
Of course Bert himself was a role model, although I doubt he'd ever accept the suggestion.
Along with his brother Dennis, 'our kid' as he called him even when he became an MP and later a peer, Bert dedicated his life to Bilston, Bradley, Wolverhampton and their people.
Every year, working with businesses, the Bilston domino league and the Emma Bussey charity, he would help to arrange for pensioners to get vouchers for some meat for Christmas. He was concerned about those who might have been alone.
"It's so we can make sure that people have got something for their table for Christmas day. It can be whatever they like, chicken, a bit of steak, anything they fancy," he would say.
He was a proud Labour man. And while there were those on the council who disagreed with his politics, no-one could ever have doubted his intentions. He did not want anyone left behind. He could not bear the idea that anyone would be forgotten.
When the school where he was chair of governors, Wilkinson Primary, was destroyed by arsonists he did not stand by in despair.
He got straight on with helping to arrange temporary classrooms for the children so they would not miss out on their education.
I have not yet even mentioned the way he fought, alongside Dennis and others, to save Bilston Steelworks.
"It was a like a family," he said.
No wonder, then, that Labour members feel like they have lost a father figure. Bilston itself has lost a champion.
