Christmas carols at St Bride's
16/12/2008
St Bride's Church off Fleet Street provided the perfect setting for the annual carol concert in aid of the Journalists' Charity which was hosted by the London communications consultancy Lutherpendragon.
Supporters and friends packed the church and gave a spontaneous round of applause after an enchanting performance of The Twelve Days of Christmas by St Bride's choir.
Lutherpendragon's generous hosting of the event included a reception after the concert and guests were treated to a plentiful supply of mince pieces and a glass (or two) of wine which were all consumed with gusto in a setting which produced a warm glow even among the most hard-bitten of the journalists' fraternity.
The service was conducted by the Reverend George Pitcher, a former industrial editor of the Observer who was a founding partner of Lutherpendragon before becoming a deacon in the Church of England and being appointed curate of St Bride's.
His prayers provided food for thought as he reminded the congregation of the journalists who had lost their lives in trouble spots around the world. He also touched on the plight of the many reporters and freelances within the media industry who are currently facing redundancy and short time working.
The readings were given by a star cast of journalists: Chris Boffey, news editor of The Observer and the new chairman of the Journalists' Charity; Anne McElvoy, executive editor of the Evening Standard; Stephen Glover, columnist for the Daily Mail and The Independent; Nick Robinson, BBC political editor; and Gillian Tett, capital markets editor of the Financial Times.
In his address Chris Boffey reminded the congregation of the help given by the Journalists' Charity to journalists in need. Donations and a collection raised more than £3000
Nicholas Jones 16.12.2008