HUNDREDS packed a city church this morning to say goodbye to a stalwart Newport councillor dubbed the “ambassador and servant” of Pill.

More than 600 people, including councillors of past and present and city dignitaries, gathered at St Michael’s RC Church in Pill to pay their respects to Councillor Ron Jones, who died on August 27.

Newport West MP Paul Flynn gave a touching and humorous eulogy to the long-serving council member, saying he had an “incredible record”.

Cllr Jones’ family and wife Pam were joined by council leader Bob Bright, Tory group leader Matthew Evans and the mayor of Newport Cliff Suller, as well as Cllr Jones’ friends, Newport council officers, and members of the Pill community.

Lliswerry councillor Allan Morris, who knew Cllr Jones for more than 30 years, acted as a pallbearer.

National Assembly presiding officer and Newport West AM Rosemary Butler, Newport East MP Jessica Morden and Newport-based Tory AMs Mohammad Asghar and William Graham also attended the service led by parish priest Father Michael Evans.

Choirs from St Michael's RC and Pillgwenlly primary schools greeted mourners as they arrived at the church.

Father Michael told the service that Cllr Jones was proud to represent the area: “Ron committed himself to Pill."

“He was Pill’s advocate, ambassador and servant,” said Mr Flynn in a eulogy that spanned Cllr Jones’ early life to his work as an “incredible record” as a councillor for almost 50 years.

“He was a unique politician unlike others,” he said. “He was irrepressible, never silent.”

The MP talked of some of the causes Cllr Jones had backed, including the Transporter Bridge and the Pill Mill.

He also told of the time when Cllr Jones, then chairman of Gwent County Council, had organised a team of councillors to play a womens team at football.

The councillor had regretted to tell them that the team included members of the Welsh womens squad. The councillors lost.

Mr Flynn also spoke about when Cllr Jones had managed to get into the audience of the TV show Question Time: “We were delighted to see there was Ron in the audience in a group of people marked floating voters.”

The MP added: “It’s hard to believe that that voice that was sometimes hectoring... but more often was soft, persuasive and comforting will not be heard again.

“Rest in peace, comrade.”

The City of Newport Choir also took part in the service which saw Newport council corporate events manager Alan Brustad acting as organist. Hymns sung included included Morning Has Broken and Make Me a Channel of Your Peace.

Cllr Jones was later interred at St Woolos Cemetery.

In the order of service Cllr Jones' family and his wife Pam thanked everyone who attended and who “have shown so much kindness and consideration during their bereavement.”

“The family would also like it known that they do appreciate the many expressions of sympathy that they have received, and it is a great source of comfort to know that so many people have them in their thoughts and prayers at this time,” it added.

Cllr Morris, who had worked with Mr Flynn on his eulogy, said after the service: "I can't think of a better tribute for this great man than to see the large numbers that turned up, and particularly the number of different ethnic groups and all different ages, from children to the elderly, to say thank you for what this great councillor had done for their area."