Service remembers Bishop Jim

The former bishop had the 'power to reach all our lives'

The Archbishop of Canterbury and other pillars of the church took part in a memorial service for the former Bishop of Bath and Wells on Friday.

A congregation of hundreds gathered for the thanksgiving service at Wells Cathedral for the Right Reverend Jim Thompson - known as Bishop Jim.

More stood on the grass outside the cathedral to hear the service, which featured hymns, prayers, poems and a clown, relayed on loudspeakers.

Bishop Jim was known to millions through his regular contributions to Thought For The Day on BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

He was Bishop of Bath and Wells for 10 years, retiring in December 2001. He died in September at the age of 67, while on a cruising holiday off the coast of Spain.

'Inspirational'

Tributes from his family, colleagues and friends, told of Bishop Jim's character.

He was described as fun, inspirational, warm, humorous and having "a sense of the ridiculous".

James Naughtie a presenter on the Today programme said Bishop Jim had the "power to reach all our lives".

The congregation included the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Rowan Williams and former Archbishop of Canterbury, the Right Reverend Lord George Carey.

The Right Reverend Peter Price, current Bishop of Bath and Wells, said: "A man of exceptional gifts, Jim revealed in his person humanity, compassion, humour, warmth and vulnerability."

Bishop Jim was born in Birmingham in 1936 and trained as an accountant before attending theological college.

He is survived by his wife Sally, a son Ben, daughter Anna, and two grandchildren.