By Office of Tibet, London & Tibetan Community in Britain
LONDON – A special Tibetan prayer service was held on Saturday at the Tibet House/Office of Tibet here to express the deep Tibetan sense of remembrance and gratitude to a noted British public figure and ardent Tibet supporter, who recently passed away at the age of 86. Lord Weatherill, former Speaker of the House of Commons was a long time sympathiser and supporter of the just cause of Tibet. In March 1991, even when he was the Speaker, he went out of his official way to receive and welcome His Holiness the Dalai Lama in the Westminster Parliament where His Holiness also addressed members of the parliament on the Tibet issue. The much regarded Speaker, who passed away on 6 May, last met His Holiness in London in May 2004 when he received His Holiness again in the parliament but this time as the patron of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet and at whose invitation His Holiness also addressed a joint meeting of parliamentarians, civic leaders and specialised journalists.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama had also send a condolence message to Lady Weatherill. Mr. Tsering Tashi, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Northern Europe, Poland and the Baltic Countries, read extracts of the message at the gathering. His Holiness had said, “With the passing away of Lord Weatherill, we Tibetans have not only lost a great friend and a passionate supporter of the just Tibetan cause but also a remarkable personality who has been on the forefront of championing democratic values and human dignity.”
The Guardian newspaper in a poignant tribute to Lord Weatherill said, “In a time of exalted power and personality cult, he made himself stand up to both on behalf of a parliament whose liberties he took with unfashionable seriousness. He should be remembered as one of the major Speakers.”
The Tibetan prayer gathering was welcomed by Mr. Tenzin Samphel, Chairman of the Tibetan Community in Britain, which with the Office of Tibet, London, had organised the evening prayers in honour and memory of Lord Weatherill. Ven. Geshe Tashi Tsering, who elaborately explained the meaning and essence of the prayers that were also said to acknowledge the beneficial and constructive life lead by Lord Weatherill, led the prayers. At the initiative of the Office of Tibet, Geshe Tashi-la, who is the Resident Teacher at the Jamyang Buddhist Centre here, also gives periodic teachings on Buddhism to the Tibetans at the Tibet House/Office of Tibet.
Tibetans of all age groups attended the solemn prayer service. Also present was Mr. Fredrick Hyde-Chambers OBE, who was very closely associated with late Lord Weatherill for the past many years.
“The prayer service was very touching and I am certainly going to inform Lord Weatherill’s family. I am sure Lady Weatherill and her sons and daughter will be very moved”, Mr. Hyde-Chambers commented.
Lord Weatherill’s presence will be missed not only by his family but also by many others, including at the 10th March wreath laying ceremony annually organised by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet outside the Westminster Abby to remember all the Tibetans who have died for Tibet’s freedom. Despite his age, he was always there in his long winter coat – full of energy and with a smile – exchanging greeting with MPs and young and old Tibetans and other participants.
Lord Weatherill is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter.
