On Thursday 4th September, 2025 at 11:30am a service of thanksgiving for the life of Gwen Robinson was held at St Bride’s Church, Fleet Street. Download Order of Service (pdf)
The Revd Canon Dr Alison Joyce delivered the opening:
As the Journalists’ Church, it is our immense privilege to be hosting this service to honour the memory and celebrate the life of a woman who was both remarkable and unique.
Gwen Robinson was not only outstanding in her field: fearless; intrepid; and never afraid to speak truth to power – but she was also a woman of immense kindness and generosity of heart; a bon viveur with an extraordinary gift for friendship.
Since her untimely death in Bangkok in March earlier this year, she has been greatly missed by all whose lives she touched.
We begin with some words by the priest and poet John Donne. Let us pray:
Bring us, O Lord, at our last awakening Into the house and gate of heaven, To enter into that gate and dwell in that house Where shall be no darkness nor dazzling, but one equal light; No noise nor silence, but one equal music; No fears nor hopes, but one equal possession: No ends nor beginnings, but one equal eternity In the habitations of your glory and dominion, World without end. Amen.
ADDRESSES
Mark Robinson
Edward Luce & Gillian Tett
READINGS
Quentin Peel read Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd : therefore can I lack nothing.
2 He shall feed me in a green pasture : and lead me forth beside the waters of comfort.
3 He shall convert my soul : and bring me forth in the paths of righteousness, for his Name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil : for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff comfort me.
5 Thou shalt prepare a table before me against them that trouble me : thou hast anointed my head with oil, and my cup shall be full.
6 Surely thy loving-kindness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life : and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Roula Khalaf read A poem for the independent woman by Maxine Thornborrow
In the quiet dawn, she wakes anew,
With dreams that shimmer, bold and true.
Her heart a compass, her mind a flame,
No need for shackles, nor whispers of blame.
She strides through life on her own two feet,
Each step a testament, strong and discreet.
With laughter like thunder and courage like steel,
Her spirit unyielding, her presence a reel.
She dances with shadows, embraces the light,
A force of nature, both fierce and polite.
Pilita Clark read an extract from A dictator, a housewife and a coup gone wrong by Gwen Robinson (A chapter from Through Her Eyes: Australia’s Women Correspondents from Hiroshima to Ukraine).
Jurek Martin read the first verse of The dinner by A D Hope
Angels have dined with men, and when they do,
All that they touch and taste takes blessing too.
The world that lies within a night and day,
Ended with evening, all things pass away,
And, a new heaven and a new earth begun,
We meet as two, and touch and smile as one.
Then on my sleeve you lay your brilliant hand
And lead me to the lighted table land.
All things expect you: walls and ceiling swim
In mellower light; the chairs stand straight and trim;
The tables dressed with snow behold you come;
The mouth of every crystal glass is dumb;
The knives and forks in silver order shine
And grace descends upon the food and wine.
MUSIC
The choir & organist of St Bride’s performed the following anthems and songs:
Ave Maria – Johann Sebastian Bach & Charles Gounod Lacrimosa from Requiem – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Aka tonbo – Yosaku Yamada & Rofu Miki arr. Bob Chilcott Non, je ne regrette rien – Charles Dumont & Michel Vaucaire arr. Robert Jones Dream a little dream of me – Fabian Andre, Wilbur Schwandt & Gus Khan arr. Robert Jones & Matthew Morley Marche Triomphale ‘Now thank we all our God’, Op 6 – Sigfrid Karg-Elert
