On Wednesday, 26 April, around 500 people came together at St Paul’s Church in Bedford to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of Sir Samuel Whitbread who passed away aged 85 on Tuesday 17 January 2023.
Born in 1937, Sir Samuel was HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire from 1991-2012 and High Sheriff of Bedfordshire 1973-1974. He joined the board of Whitbread plc in 1972 and became chairman in 1984.
He served as a county councillor and was chair and later president of the mid-Bedfordshire Conservative Association. In the 2010 Birthday Honours, he was appointed a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO).
Guests at St Paul’s Church were greeted on arrival by a Guard of Honour from Beds and Cambs Air Training Corps and members of the Royal Family were represented at the service.
HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire Susan Lousada attended on His Majesty The King’s behalf; Captain Sir Nicholas Wright KCVO RN attended on behalf of HRH The Princess Royal; Mr Chris Sharwood-Smith MBE attended on behalf of TRHs The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester; and Mr Nicolas Adamson CVO OBE attended on behalf of TRHs The Duke and Duchess of Kent.
Also in attendance was Helen Nellis CVO CStJ, Sir Samuel’s successor on his retirement as Lord-Lieutenant.
The Reverend Canon Kevin Goss, Vicar of St Paul’s Church, led the Service of Thanksgiving. The address was given by The Rt Reverend Richard Atkinson OBE, Bishop of Bedford and the Blessing was given by The Rt Reverend Dr Alan Smith, Lord Bishop of St Albans. Family members read prayers and the tribute was read by Edward Fremantle.
The choir of Samuel Whitbread Academy sang an anthem.
A retiring collection was made in support of St Paul’s Tower, Bells and Clock Appeal.
After the service, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire Susan Lousada said: “It was heartening to see the church so full of people who knew and loved Sir Samuel.
“The tribute was a wonderful account of a life well lived, and it was fascinating to hear about how Sir Samuel dedicated himself to the service of business, charities, his county and the country, whilst also firmly remaining a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend to many.
“It was a fitting tribute to a kind and distinguished gentleman who will be sorely missed by all who knew him.”
