UK: LONDON: PAUL MCCARTNEY LEADS TRIBUTES TO WIFE LINDA

English/Nat
Former Beatle, Sir Paul McCartney, accompanied by poetry, pipes and the haunting strains of 'Let It Be,' led a touching, private memorial service on Monday, for his wife Linda.
Linda McCartney, a talented photographer and animal rights campaigner, died in April after a long battle against breast cancer.
Hundreds of family and friends gathered at the St-Martin-in-the-Fields church in central London, to bid a final farewell.
Outside, thousands of animal rights activists held a touching candle lit vigil to remember her.
Crowds erupted into a loud cheer as Sir Paul McCartney arrived at the historic St-Martin- in-the-Fields church, on Monday.
55 year old Paul McCartney, winked and flashed a V sign for peace at the crowds as he entered the church, flanked by Heather, 36, his wife's daughter by her first marriage and the couple's children Mary, 27, Stella, 26 and James, 21.
Celebrity guests included the other two surviving Beatles, Ringo Starr and his wife Barbara Bach and media shy, George Harrison.
Other music greats included Elton John and Sting, who was accompanied by his wife, actress Trudy Styler.
With poetry, pipes and the haunting strains of "Let it Be," Paul McCartney paid homage to his wife who died from breast cancer in April at the age of 56.
Actress Joanna Lumley and photographer David Bailey read poems and "The Who" guitarist Pete Townsend and writer Carla Lane gave tributes to the 700 people who attended the private service.
Mourners sang "Let it Be" in tribute to the many talents of the former Linda Eastman of Scarsdale, New York: photographer, animal rights campaigner and vegetarian, musician, wife and mother.
McCartney penned the hit as a tribute to his mother, who also died of breast cancer when he was just 14.
Eight songs McCartney wrote for his wife, including "The Lovely Linda" and "Calico Skies" and a single piper played "Mull of Kintyre," a hit for McCartney's band Wings.
In adjoining Trafalgar Square, animal rights activists held a candle lit vigil to remember their hero and mentor.
Banners proclaiming "Linda: The Animals' Angel" were hung and candles burned in her memory.
A shrine swamped with burning candles and a huge photo of Linda was the touching centre piece of the vigil.
The animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (P-E-T-A) brought in supporters from many countries, including the United States, Germany, France and Italy.
After the tribute, P-E-T-A spokesman Dan Mathews spoke about the touching ceremony.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"It was very uplifting. I think so many people had been mourning her death for so many weeks that people are here to celebrate her life and recognise the wonderful legacy she left behind."
SUPER CAPTION: Dan Mathews, PETA, People for Ethical Treatment of Animals
Through his spokesman and close friend, Paul McCartney, passed on his thanks to the supporters who had gathered outside to pay tribute to Linda
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"And although Linda is not here, she's in our hearts and in our spirit and her message will live on with us all forever.
SUPER CAPTION: Geoff Baker, McCartney family spokesman and friend
Geoff Baker said McCartney spoke of Linda as the love of his life, and still could not believe she was gone.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"He compared Linda to a diamond, many facets of a diamond in which he said any facet you looked at - all the facets of her character she was greater than any facet of a diamond."
SUPER CAPTION: Geoff Baker, McCartney family spokesman and friend
The McCartney's announced in December 1995 that Mrs. McCartney had breast cancer.
In March the cancer was found to have spread to her liver and she died at the family's ranch in Arizona on April 19.


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