The worlds of Fleet Street and the trade union movement gathered to pay tribute to a former regional journalist who went on to lead the National Union of Journalists.

The memorial to Ken Morgan was held at the journalists’ church St Brides, in London, where family and former colleagues shared their memories of the ex-Stockport Express reporter.

Ken, pictured above left, began his career at the Express in 1944 and served as NUJ general secretary from 1970 to 1977. He died in August aged 86.

His daughter, Sarah Martin, described Ken as a devoted family man who read to them endlessly and made them laugh.

She said: “His passion for reading and for choosing and using words carefully and creatively had been passed down through his daughters and grandchildren who now have an appreciation of the value of language and importance of creativity.”

Sarah described how Ken met his wife when they reporters on rival newspapers; Margaret was on the Stockport Advertiser. They used to wangle their diaries so they covered the same council meetings and events. The marriage lasted almost 65 years.

Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary, who stepped into his shoes 34 years later, said Ken would be remembered as “a great journalist and a fine, principled trade union leader”.

She said: “His charm and intelligence made him an excellent negotiator and his kindness and good grace made him appreciated by even those who did not necessarily agree with him.”