Two people from Bath and Wells are among 95 people who’ve received special thanks from the Queen today in recognition of the contribution they have made to their community and their church. Gwen Bawden, from Hawkridge and Colin Parfitt from Blagdon were personally thanked by Her Majesty for their work to “enrich the life” of their neighbours in a letter honouring the Maundy money recipients.
Every year, on Maundy Thursday, the Queen distributes special Maundy gifts, presenting symbolic coins during the annual Royal Maundy service. The number of recipents reflects the number of years she has lived: this year the Maundy money was distributed to 95 men and women, ahead of Her Majesty’s 95th birthday.
When Colin Parfitt from Blagdon learned that he was to be one of this year’s recipients he was understandably “surprised and overjoyed,” but added that he was “greatly humbled. It’s an absolutely amazing thing to receive something like this. It’s a huge honour, but I just did some bits of work, nothing amazing.”
Colin was nominated for the role he played in managing major reordering work at Blagdon church.
“I’m very proud of the work the church has done, but my role in it was one of a team of people. It was a wonderful fulfilment of our purpose in serving our community, allowing the church building to be used for lots and lots of activities. In fact, after we’d finished the church was used every day of the week for something or other.”
The Maundy service which dates back to 600AD, was due to be held in Westminster Abbey, unfortunately it could not go ahead this year due to Covid restrictions, instead Colin and Gwen received a letter from the Queen together with their Maundy money via a special postal delivery. They were each given two small leather purses, one red and one white. The first contains a small amount of ordinary coinage symbolising the Queen’s gift for food and clothing.The special coins have kept much the same form since 1670. They still bear the portrait of Her Majesty designed for her coronation in 1953.
In her letter the Queen said “I am delighted to send you the Maundy gift which I hope you will accept as an expression of my personal thanks to you for all that you have done to enrich the life of your community.
“Each year, at the Royal Maundy Service, we have an opportunity to recognise, and give thanks for, work done by countless people for the wellbeing of their neighbours; work that has often been taken for granted or hidden.”