Remembering Robin by unveiling a Blue Plaque
The last weekend of September many fans travelled to the little village of Thame to pay a visit to the grave of Robin Gibb and to be present at the unveiling of a Blue Plaque in his honour.
In the early afternoon of Sunday September 30th. hundreds guests gathered at the entrance gate of The Prebendal, the home of Robin Gibb and his wife Dwina. Mike Read of the Heritage Foundation and a good friend of Robin, spoke to the audience about Robin: “Everyone that knew him loved him”. Next speaker was Sir Tim Rice who told the audience to be very glad to have know Robin.
Then it was time to unveil the Blue Plaque which is situated in the wall of Prebendal next to the entrance gate. It was Dwina and Robin’s son RJ who unveiled the plaque by removing a blue curtain. http://news.sky.com
The ceremony of the unveiling was followed by an afternoon tea gathering in the garden of Prebendal organized by The Heritage Foundation. The refectory and chapel were also open this afternoon for all the guests. A band played instrumental versions of songs written by The Gibb Brothers. Next to that throughout the afternoon several performances were done by artists as a tribute to Robin. Isabel Suckling, accompanied by pianist Ian Tilley performed “Christmas Day” from “Titanic Requiem” as well as her powerful rendition of “Ave Maria.” Errol Reid and Wayne Banks with whom Robin had toured the last years did an acoustic version of “To Love Somebody”. Cecilia De Lisle performed “Rings Around The Moon” accompanied on guitar by Ivor Novello award winner Stuart James. Mary-Jess Leaverland performed “Don’t Cry Alone”
The Soldiers were of course present as well and recollecting the last public appearances of Robin when he wasn’t able to make a reception at 10 Downing Street at 11:00 a.m. but was determined not to let them down for a TV appearance with Alan Titchmarsh and turned up and made his apology to the Prime Minister on live TV. Robin made his last ever public appearance at the London Palladium with the Soldiers in support of “Help For Heroes” charity. The Soldiers performed “I’ve Gotta Get A Message To You,” and “How Deep Is Your Love”.
TV presenter Peter Andre , read out the messages from those who could not attend the event including Bill Wyman, DJ Johnny Walker, Beverley Knight, Mick Hucknell, Mitch Winehouse, and Rick Wakeman. Peter ended his presentation with the words of a man who received a Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Robin in February 2011 at the Berlin Film Festival: John Travolta, who said about The Bee Gees: “Put them on a microphone and it’s pure magic.”
Other guest speakers this afternoon who were also Robin’s personal friends were: David “Kid” Jensen. Bob Harris, recipient of The Heritage Foundation Special Award as chosen by Robin himself, talked about the career of his friend Robin. Stephen Dixon, host of Sky News. And one mentioned Paul Gambaccini who wasn’t present due of an illness but Paul was amongst the few people that visited Robin when he woke up from his coma in late April. All Robin’s friends regretted the fact that Robin couldn’t see his dream come true when on June 28th. Her Majesty The Queen opened the Bomber Command Memorial in Green Park. The unveiling and the afternoon tea has been a beautiful tribute to Robin.