Hundreds attend thanksgiving for the '˜Life of Brian'

Hundreds of people attended a poignant thanksgiving service for the life of former city councillor, MP and mayor Brian White.

‘People’s politician’ Brian died after a short battle with cancer at the age of 59.

His wife Leena made a speech at the service, which was held at the Church of Christ the Cornerstone.

She raised smiles when she summed up Brian as the “kindest, most polite, stubborn and scruffiest man” anybody could ever meet.

She described how she proposed to him in the 1980’s and recalled their “last row” - in 1991!

Council leader Pete Marland spoke of the legacy quietly determined Brian had left behind in the form of his passion for the people and every part of MK.

“We must all continue building on Brian’s legacy for the future of Milton Keynes,” he said.

Former veteran councillor, Labour colleague and city Alderman Roger Bristow told the service that he was proud to call Brian a friend.

He described how Brian was instrumental in setting up MK as a unitary authority and also the Local Government Association to promote local democracy. But one of his biggest passions was recycling and he helped set up the new state-of-the-art recycling plant at Old Wolverton.

“When Brian talked rubbish, he made most sense!” said Roger.

Gentle, caring and intelligent, Belfast-born Brian had firm friends in all political parties, and Conservative councillor leader Andrew Geary conducted the reading ‘The Good Samaritan’ from Luke 10:25-37.

Milton Keynes poet Laureate Mark Niel read a poem called The Belfast Boy, and the music at the end of the service was provided by one of Brian favourite bands, the Moribayassa African Drumming community group.

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