Michael Cox’s memorial in pictures

At 3.30pm on Thursday 10 April, possibly the largest ever social gathering of the UK wine trade took place at Southwark Cathedral for the memorial service of Michael Cox.

The Reverend Canon Mark Oakley gave the address

Michael, who died from a rare and aggressive form of cancer on 20 February, was both head of Wines of Chile UK and master of the Worshipful Company of Vintners.

An extremely well liked member of the wine trade, Michael’s memorial attracted an estimated 850 people, the majority of whom were friends from his professional life.

The service saw tributes from Eduardo Chadwick, president of Viña Errazuriz and director of Wines of Chile; Sam Dow, past master of The Worshipful Company of Vintners, and David Cox, Michael’s twin brother – the latter you can read here.

There were also readings from Michael’s son Henry and Michael’s wife Lynne, as well as a rendition of Swing low, sweet chariot by Charles Metcalfe and Oz Clarke.

Then, an address was given by Reverend Canon Mark Oakley (pictured), chaplain to the Worshipful Company of Vintners and Canon Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral, followed by a Franz Strauss horn concerto played by Sam Jacobs, Michael’s nephew.

Following the service, all attendees were invited for a glass of wine in the Great Halls at Vinopolis – a vast space generously provided by the wine museum.

The drinks were also kindly donated, with Eduardo Chadwick and Hatch Mansfield supplying the white Errazuriz Chardonnay, and Robert Hill-Smith and Negociants UK supplying the red: Yalumba’s ‘The Scribbler’ Cabernet-Shiraz.

Standing out among the attendees of the memorial were around 10 men in striped blazers who were from the Mill Hill Rugby Club, where Michael – and David – once played.

Michael’s memorial attracted an estimated 850 people who filled every corner of London’s Southwark Cathedral.

Michael’s twin brother David gave a moving and amusing tribute, which you can read here. 

After the service there were drinks for all the attendees at the Great Halls within Vinopolis. Above: Malcolm Taylor, director from London Wine Fair organisers Brintex and Sally Bishop from Relish PR.

Michael’s wife Lynne Cox spoke during the drinks, and told attendees that she had met her husband on the dance floor at Vinopolis in 2000.

Among the many who stayed on for the drinks was Charles Metcalfe, who had sung Swing low, sweet chariot with Oz Clarke during the memorial service.

Lynne Cox remained remarkably composed during the drinks and the memorial service, where she delivered the Bible reading.

David Cox also spoke during the drinks, thanking Errazuriz and Yalumba for the wine, while sporting the rugby club blazer of Mill Hill RFC – which both he and Michael once played for.

Wine writer Anthony Rose (sporting Helen Chesshire’s scarf) with Lynne Sheriff MW.

Helen Chesshire (left) without her scarf and Venla Freeman from the Wine Institute of California.

db‘s Rupert Millar (left) with Craggy Range’s Warren Adamson and his wife, Kate Sweet, from Limm PR.

Angela Mount with Andrew Henderson

Katharine O’Callaghan with Abigail Barlow

Oz Clarke with Chris Stroud from New Zealand Winegrowers

Stephen Clark and Lisa Barnard

Sam Harrop MW 

Left to right: Kate Sarginson, Will Broadfoot, Jo Wehring, Robin Black

Left to right: Anne Burchett, Laura Jewell MW, Melissa Draycott, Angela Mount, Dee Blackstock MW, Alison Easton, Anne Jones.

Martin Lam from Ransome’s Dock with Anita Jackson from Wines of Chile.

Eduardo Chadwick, president of Viña Errazuriz with Philip Tuck MW from Hatch Mansfield

Michael’s brother Andrew

Susannah and James Forbes with Anne Burchett.

David with his wife Sally.