The Service of Thanksgiving for Edward, 3rd Baron Montagu of Beaulieu was held on Wednesday, 20 January at St Margaret’s Church, Westminster Abbey.

This beautiful church was filled with over 600 family, friends, fellow Peers from the House of Lords (where the late Lord Montagu was the third longest sitting peer) and representatives from the many organisations with which he had been connected.

The Venerable Andrew Tremlet, Sub-Dean, Rector of St Margaret’s Church, and Archdeacon of Westminster, officiated and gave the blessing, assisted by the Reverend Mark Birch, Minor Canon and Chaplain who led the prayers.

Ralph, 4th Baron Montagu of Beaulieu read the lesson from St John 15:1-12, Mr Simon Thurley CBE (former Chief Executive, English Heritage) read Two Things are Impossible, taken from Lord Montagu’s memoir Wheels within Wheels, Sir Neil Cossons OBE, (Former Chairman, English Heritage) and Mr Kenneth Robinson (Managing Director at Beaulieu between 1969 — 1999) gave tributes.

During the service, the Choir of St Margaret’s, conducted by Aidan Oliver, director of music sang the Introit, Psalm 121, I Saw the Lord and Beaulieu Salve Regina by Gabriel Jackson, which was commissioned by the late Lord Montagu to mark the 800th anniversary of the foundation of Beaulieu Abbey in 2004.

Close family attending were:

Lord and Lady Montagu

Fiona Lady Montagu (widow)

• Mr Rupert Scott and the Hon Mary Montagu-Scott with their children Benjamin and Emilia

the Hon Jonathan and his wife Mrs Montagu.

Also there to recognise and reflect on the life and achievements of the late Lord Montagu were Sophie, Countess of Wessex and the Duke of Marlborough

motor racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart  and veteran broadcaster Nicholas Parsons

Lord and Lady Astor of Hever, Sir Michael Codron, Lord Cope, Lord Cormack, Lord Crathorne, Lord Trefgarne, the Earl and Countess of Lindsay, the Hon Dianna Makgill, Sir Peter Bottomley MP, Sir Michael Codron, Lady Heath, Sir William and Lady McAlpine, Sir James and Lady Chichester, Sir Bourchier and Lady Wrey, Lord Trefgarne and Lord Wardington.

Representatives from the Historic Houses Association, the New Forest Park National Park Authority, the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs, British Racing Drivers’ Club, Guild of Motoring Writers, Wine Guild of the United Kingdom, UK Vineyards Association, Countryside Education Trust and the Beaulieu One Hundred and the National Motor Museum Trust were also their to show their respects.

Beaulieu One Hundred members who attended included Dermot Bambridge, Lord Beaverbrook, Tony Dron, Mel Hatton, Ian Maiden, Martyn and Lin Raybould, John and Helen Smith, Dan Snow, Don Wales and Johanna White.