St John the Evangelist Church on Neasham Road in Darlington was filled with family and friends of Peter Woodmansey, known locally as Pete the Sweep, who died last month.
The former road sweeper for Darlington Borough Council of 35 years, retired in 2001. He was not ready to hang up his sweeping brush yet, however, and continued sweeping the roads of Darlington until he reached his mid-80s.
A Union flag theme was evident throughout with red, white and blue floral tributes.
Peter died peacefully at his home on Dinsdale Crescent on July 19, aged 86, with his good friend, Julie Whitehouse, by his side.
![The Northern Echo: Julie Whitehouse led the procession from Peter's home on Dinsdale Crescent to St John the Evangelist Church on Neasham Road. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT]( "The Northern Echo: Julie Whitehouse led the procession from Peter's home on Dinsdale Crescent to St John the Evangelist Church on Neasham Road. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT")
Julie Whitehouse led the procession from Peter's home on Dinsdale Crescent to St John the Evangelist Church on Neasham Road. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT
![The Northern Echo: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT]( "The Northern Echo: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT")
Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT
![The Northern Echo: Mourners wearing union flag colours. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT]( "The Northern Echo: Mourners wearing union flag colours. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT")
Mourners wearing union flag colours. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT
![The Northern Echo: Plenty of union flags to wave Peter off. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT]( "The Northern Echo: Plenty of union flags to wave Peter off. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT")
Plenty of union flags to wave Peter off. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT
![The Northern Echo: Council workers from Darlington Borough Council also paid their respects to Peter. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT]( "The Northern Echo: Council workers from Darlington Borough Council also paid their respects to Peter. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT")
Council workers from Darlington Borough Council also paid their respects to Peter. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT
![The Northern Echo: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT]( "The Northern Echo: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT")
Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT
![The Northern Echo: Mourners with union flags. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT]( "The Northern Echo: Mourners with union flags. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT")
Mourners with union flags. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT
![The Northern Echo: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT]( "The Northern Echo: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT")
Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT
![The Northern Echo: Reverend Caroline Ferguson. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT]( "The Northern Echo: Reverend Caroline Ferguson. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT")
Reverend Caroline Ferguson. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT
![The Northern Echo: Peter had worked for Darlington Borough Council as a road sweeper for 35 years and retired in 2001. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT]( "The Northern Echo: Peter had worked for Darlington Borough Council as a road sweeper for 35 years and retired in 2001. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT")
Peter had worked for Darlington Borough Council as a road sweeper for 35 years and retired in 2001. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT
![The Northern Echo: Despite being retired, Peter still liked to keep the roads clean and tidy until his health took a turn in his mid-80s. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT]( "The Northern Echo: Despite being retired, Peter still liked to keep the roads clean and tidy until his health took a turn in his mid-80s. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT")
Despite being retired, Peter still liked to keep the roads clean and tidy until his health took a turn in his mid-80s. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT
![The Northern Echo: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT]( "The Northern Echo: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT")
Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT
![The Northern Echo: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT]( "The Northern Echo: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT")
Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT
![The Northern Echo: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT]( "The Northern Echo: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT")
Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT
![The Northern Echo: Entering the church. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT]( "The Northern Echo: Entering the church. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT")
Entering the church. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT
![The Northern Echo: Floral tributes with red, white and blue flowers were left in memory of Peter. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT]( "The Northern Echo: Floral tributes with red, white and blue flowers were left in memory of Peter. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT")
Floral tributes with red, white and blue flowers were left in memory of Peter. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT
![The Northern Echo: A touching tribute from Peter's friends from Morrisons at Morton Park. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT]( "The Northern Echo: A touching tribute from Peter's friends from Morrisons at Morton Park. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT")
A touching tribute from Peter's friends from Morrisons at Morton Park. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT
![The Northern Echo: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT]( "The Northern Echo: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT")
Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT
![The Northern Echo: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT]( "The Northern Echo: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT")
Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT
![The Northern Echo: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT]( "The Northern Echo: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT")
Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT
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