FAMILY, both in the sense of relatives and those who in a host of ways were touched by the life of Clifford Vivian Knight, came together today to bid farewell to a man who wove a bright thread into Newport's historical tapestry.

Cliff as he was universally called died on October 6 aged 89.

Born in Pill at the end of World War One Mr Knight's first job was on Newport Transporter Bridge where one chore was to deliver wage packets, often to men working high up in the superstructure.

A keen Scout during the inter-war years and a lifelong member and elder of Emmanuel Evangelist Baptist Church he joined the Territorial Army and with the outbreak of war was mobilised into the Royal Army Medical Corps first as a member of the expeditionary force to France, then Norway and later North Africa and Italy where he took part in the Anzio landing.

After demobilisation and upon his return from the war he worked for Newport council's housing department at which time he embarked upon the series of historical books about Pill and other aspects of Newport life that were to guarantee his places in the eyes of his peers and admirers as' Mr Newport'.

Yet, of all the parts he played, the Rev. Graham Harrison, minister and friend and who led the funeral service said it was his Christian witness that Clifford Knight held most dear.

"Clifford did not wear his religion on his sleeve but he was never ashamed of the Lord Jesus Christ.

"We thank God for the blessing he was to us. A measure of the esteem in which he was held was that a double-page spread and editorial in the South Wales Argus was devoted to his obituary.

"The very fact that our church is here after being moved to Alma Street is largely due to him.

"Whilst development advice officer for the council he pointed out the site of our present church which was having to move from Alma Street and said 'that would be the perfect place for Emmanuel' and so it came about.

"For many years Mr Knight endured pain but always remained cheerful and generous with his time with historians and others including HTV and the BBC who asked him for information.

"I would go to his house and find him surrounded by photographs, clippings and letters.

"We thank God for the fullness of his life whilst remembering those of his family who are left behind."

Cliff Knight wrote up the history of his own church but it was his books about Pill almost encyclopaedic in their range for which he was noted.

Although his movement was restricted by his illness his home in Llanover Close, Malpas was a powerhouse of historical research. From this seeming confusion and from the mound of papers and pictures Cliff could quarry information about any subject touching upon Newport.

"During his long illness Clifford was in the Royal Gwent possibly 60 times - sometimes for weeks - and on many occasions I mentally buried him, only to call the next day that he had perked up" Mr Harrison told the congregation packing the simple, modern chapel.

"The day after that he would be perkier still and this improvement might go on for a week.

"He was not afraid of death, not because he thought himself to be better than anybody else but because he was sustained by his Christian faith."

The mayor of the City of Newport Councillor Noel Trigg in mayoral regalia represented the council and people of Newport along with Mr Knight's colleagues.

Among the 200 mourners was his nephew the historian and writer Jeremy Knight. The Rev. Geraint Richard who assisted at the service read from Psalm 90 and from the Gospel of St Peter. The service was followed by cremation.

A major history of Newport Mr Knight was working on in conjunction with Professor Alan Jones will be published posthumously.