Service of Thanksgiving for the Life of Jack Page
04 March 2009 at 12:00 pm
A Service of Thanksgiving for the Life of Jack Page MP, was held on Wednesday 4th March at 12 noon in St Margarets Church.Sir John Page was Conservative MP for Harrow West for 27 years between 1960 and 1987. He was also, at various times, president of the Water Companies Association and of the Independent Schools Association; vice-president of the British Insurance Brokers Association; and chairman of the Council for Independent Education. He died in July 2008.
In his bidding the Reverend Robert Wright, the Rector of St Margarets and Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons, said: For more than 25 years Jack served as a popular and influential Conservative MP. Known for his integrity and humour, Jack was also a highly successful water company chairman who was endowed with remarkable energy and enthusiasm. Jacks upbringing and his political and business contacts led to a great affection for the Far East and his many visits to China. His military service and other friendships connected him with the Middle East and so today we especially mindful of that region with its rich diversity and its immense problems.
Sir Terry Wogan delivered a Tribute and Sir John Gummer MP and Jean-Claud Banon gave Addresses. Lessons were read by Hugo Page, Nathaniel Page, and Rupert Page.
Prayers were led by the Reverend Michael Macey, Canon of Westminster, and the Reverend Hugh Symes-Thompson, Rector of Cranfield and Hulcote-with-Salford.
The Choir of St Margarets Church, conducted by the Director of Music Aidan Oliver, sang and the organ was played by Richard Pearce. Henry Page played the bagpipes at the start of the service.