MEMORIAL SERVICE

Peter Paterson Memorial

Peter Paterson

February 1st 1931 - July 17th 2011

On Thursday 1st December 2011 at 11:30am a service of thanksgiving for the life of Peter Paterson was held at St Bride’s Church, Fleet Street.
Download Order of Service (pdf)

Introduction

The Venerable David Meara delivered the Bidding:

We gather in St Bride’s church today to honour the memory and celebrate the life of Peter Paterson, Fleet Street industrial and political reporter, who began his journalistic career on the Fulham Gazette, and who went on to work for the Telegraph, the New Statesman, the Spectator and the Daily Mail, as well as being a familiar voice on Radio 4.

We celebrate a journalist of the Old School, a shamelessly unreconstructed Fleet Street man, who mourned the end of the golden era of the street of adventure, but who rejoiced in the many friends he made, and the fun that he had.

As Peter says at the end of his autobiography:

“As a way of life, journalism was never going to make me rich, but in so many different ways, as H.L. Mencken wrote, and I have been lucky enough to discover for myself, a reporter’s life bestows on its practitioners ‘the life of kings’.”

Today we give thanks for Peter and rejoice in the privilege of having known him, and we commend him to God’s care and keeping, trusting that at the end of our brief day is the eternity of God’s love.

Amen.

Addresses

Senator Wyche Fowler

Con Coughlin

Readings

Sue Robertson read John 2, v. 1-11

1And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:

2And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.

3And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.

4Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

5His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

6And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.

7Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.

8And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.

9When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,

10And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.

11This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

Graham Paterson read an extract from Tired And Emotional: The Life of Lord George Brown by Peter Paterson

Peter Rees read Not How Did He Die, But How Did He Live? by Anon

Not how did he die, but how did he live?
Not what did he gain, but what did he give?
These are the units to measure the worth
Of a man as a man, regardless of birth.
Not, what was his church, nor what was his creed?
But had he befriended those really in need?
Was he ever ready, with word of good cheer,
To bring back a smile, to banish a tear?
Not what did the sketch in the newspaper say,
But how many were sorry when he passed away.

MUSIC

The choir & organist of St Bride’s Choir performed the following anthems and songs:

God be in my head – Walford Davies
Psalm 23 – Crimond
Bring us, O Lord God – Harris
Soave sia il vento from Cosi Fan Tutte – Mozart
Mad about the boy – Coward

Hymns:

Jerusalem
Praise, my soul, the King of heaven
Mine eyes have seen the glory

OBITUARIES & COMMENT

congregation sitting for service

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