On Wednesday 27th June, 2012, at 2pm a service of thanksgiving for the life of David Walter, journalist and political commentator, was held at St Bride’s Church, Fleet Street. Download Order of Service (pdf)
We gather in St Bride’s parish church of Fleet Street to celebrate the life and honour the memory of David Walter, journalist, political commentator, Director of Communications for the Liberal Democrats, and PR and media company director. David began his career on BBC Radio for the World Service, moving into television and working for ITN, BBC and Channel Four. We remember too his passion for politics reflected in his attempt to become a member of parliament, as well as a deep interest in music and sport. Above all we rejoice in his love for his family.
As we recollect with gratitude a man of kindness, intelligence, energy and great good humour, so we commend him to God’s care and keeping, trusting that God will bring to completion all He has begun in David’s life, and praying that he may rest in the peace and joy of heaven.
Amen.
Addresses
Pete Walter, David's son
Sir Trevor MacDonald
Baroness Susan Kramer
Readings
Patrick Worsnip read The Playmaker – Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations (Book 12, Section 36)
You have been a citizen of this great world community; what difference does it make if it is for five years or fifty? Whatever is consistent with its laws is fair for everyone.
Why is it a raw deal if it is not a dictator or a warped judge who sends you away from this state, but the same Nature who brought you into it? It is the same as if a producer who employed an actor suddenly banned him from the stage – “But I haven’t finished all five acts yet, only three of them”.
Exactly, but in this particular life these three acts are the whole drama; for the complete play is determined by the one who was the cause of its composition, and now of its dissolution; and that is not you. Leave the stage satisfied, for he who releases you is also satisfied.
Phaedo – Plato Section 81a
The soul takes flight to a world that is invisible. But there arriving is sure of perfect peace and forever dwells in paradise.
Kathryn Drysdale, Mark Hadfield & Natalie Walter read from A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Brian Eastman read Eden Rock by Charles Causely
They are waiting for me somewhere beyond Eden Rock:
My father, twenty-five, in the same suit
Of Genuine Irish Tweed, his terrier Jack
Still two years old and trembling at his feet.
My mother, twenty-three, in a sprigged dress
Drawn at the waist, ribbon in her straw hat,
Has spread the stiff white cloth over the grass.
Her hair, the colour of wheat, takes on the light.
She pours tea from a Thermos, the milk straight
From an old H.P. sauce-bottle, a screw
Of paper for a cork; slowly sets out
The same three plates, the tin cups painted blue.
The sky whitens as if lit by three suns.
My mother shades her eyes and looks my way
Over the drifted stream. My father spins
A stone along the water. Leisurely,
They beckon to me from the other bank.
I hear them call, ‘See where the stream-path is!
Crossing is not as hard as you might think.’
I had not thought that it would be like this.
Music
The choir & organist of St Bride’s performed the following anthems and songs:
Carillon de Westminster Op 54 No 3 – Louis Vierne Jesu, joy of man’s desiring – J S Bach I am the very model of a modern Major General – Gilbert & Sullivan And I saw a new heaven – Edgar Bainton The turtle dove – Ralph Vaughan Williams Ode to joy (from 9th Symphony) – Ludwig van Beethoven Trumpet tune – Henry Purcell
Hymns:
Come down, O love divine
Praise, my soul, the King of heaven
Thine be the glory
