‘We’re still coming to terms with it’
Civic leaders joined friends and relatives in paying their final respects to a mayor. All Saints' Church, in Madeley, was packed for this afternoon's civic funeral of grandfather and community stalwart Barry Panter who died after a crash on the A525 Newcastle Road. The 75-year-old Newcastle borough mayor had been on his way to a Loggerheads Parish Council meeting when tragedy struck.
Further details of his many years of service - from his time in the RAF and career as a police officer to his work for charities - were also shared with the congregation. The Reverend Tim Watson, who served as the Mayor's Chaplain during Mr Panter's civic year, spoke of the light that Mr Panter had brought to the world through his actions and consideration of others. The church was bathed in sunlight as his coffin, which was adorned with the crest of Arsenal Football Club, an arrangement shaped like a police officer's helmet and the Mayor's robes, was brought inside to the accompaniment of Nights in White Satin by The Moody Blues, and followed by standard bearers.
The Reverend Watson said: "He has made an impact on so many people and so many of us will have known Barry in many different ways. When I think of him, I think of him as Mayor and an ardent supporter of me and my wife Clare as she prepared for her ordination. "Whatever the conversation, it would always begin with 'how is Clare and how are the children?' He was a man who took great joy in bringing light to the good work of others and raising funds for good causes.
"It is important to acknowledge the shock of Barry's death. He was very actively enjoying his time as Mayor and enthusiastically sharing his hopes for his charity ball on March 29."
Magician and illusionist Andrew Van Buren was among the mourners at the funeral of Newcastle borough mayor Barry PanterA tribute from Mr Panter's children - Kate Griffiths and Nigel Panter - was read out at the service. They said his love would stay with them always and they would keep his memory alive, sharing stories with his grandchildren.
They told of football match clippings he would share with Nigel, as well as wildlife posters he would send to his grandchildren. Mr Panter's care also extended to other youngsters, who he kept safe on their way to and from school as a crossing patrol warden. Stepson Brian Boulnois told the congregation: "We as a family have lost a husband, father, stepfather, grandfather and brother.
We as a family are still coming to terms with it." He spoke movingly of a passer-by who had held Mr Panter's hand after the crash. Thanks were given by widow Beatrice Panter and family members to the staff at the Royal Stoke University Hospital who had cared for him.
Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire Ian Dudson was among the mourners at the funeral of Newcastle borough mayor Barry PanterMr Panter had served on Newcastle Borough Council since 2016, as well as being a parish councillor.
Borough council colleague Paul Northcott said he had been a great support in his own political career, as well as a friend, who enjoyed sending postcards to the Northcotts while on his travels. Mr Northcott said: "I enjoyed getting to know him personally. He collected model police cars - a link to his past career - and loved reading Charles Dickens.
He worked with Alzheimer's UK and Headway and had an interest in Parkinson's - he was a sufferer himself. While on the council he led a task and finish group on the health scrutiny committee which resulted in a handbook to help sufferers and carers to recognise symptoms and he was really proud of this. "He was also elected to be the Armed Forces Community Champion for the borough in 2019 and recognised the challenges veterans face.
He had a caring, gentle side and he never failed to ask me how my wife was."
Mayor Barry Panter (Image: Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council)Civic leaders who attended the funeral included Staffordshire County Council's chairman Phil Hewitt, as well as the Mayors of Stafford Borough and Stone. Congregation members were invited to each take home a pencil from his extensive collection and were thanked for donations made in his memory to Parkinson's UK. Newcastle borough councillors paid tribute to Mr Panter at a special council meeting held the night before his funeral.
Cabinet members observed a minute's silence at the start of their meeting on Tuesday as a mark of respect. His life will be celebrated at the Mayor's Ball on Saturday, March 29, at Keele Hall. It will be hosted by Mrs Panter and Deputy Mayor Robert Bettley-Smith and raise money for Headway North Staffs and the Salvation Army in Chesterton, the charities he chose to support during his civic year when he was invested with the chain of office in May 2024.
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