THE honoured recipients of a 'Maundy Money' have spoken of how humbled they felt to receive their gifts from Queen Camilla and of her beautiful smile and great warmth.
Forty people from across Worcestershire and Dudley received ‘Maundy Money’ from HM the Queen in recognition of their exemplary Christian service to church and community over many years.
The special service was held in Worcester Cathedral for the first time since 1980.
In total, 75 men and 75 women received money (equivalent to the Monarch’s age).
The tradition of presenting alms on Maundy Thursday goes back to at least the 4th Century and in this country, the first record of the monarch doing it is in 1213.
Among those to receive the purse was Bill Simpson, 87, of Red Hill in Worcester who has been involved in St Martin's Church in London Road in Worcester since he moved to the city in 1980, tending the garden and grounds.
The former principal of Pershore College and former director of horticulture for the Royal Horticultural Society was a warden at the church for six years and is now the deputy treasurer.
Previously he was awarded the MBE (in 2011) for services to horticulture and the Victoria Medal of Honour for horticulture.
He said of receiving the Maundy Money: "It is a great honour. The Queen noticed my MBE. I thought at first she was referring to the VHM (Royal Victoria Medal)."
Mr Simpson displayed both accolades on his jacket lapel when he received his latest honour from Queen Camilla.
Another recipient was the Rev Peter Davies, associate priest at Claines and St George's Church in Worcester, recognised for services to the church.
He described his invitation as 'a big surprise' and felt surrounded by those 'who really deserve it'.
He served as a Licensed Lay Minister from 2000 and was ordained in 2013. He has been part of All Saints Church as well as St George’s and Claines in Worcester.
Before ordination, he was a Lay Canon on the Cathedral Chapter. He is a part of the diocesan deliverance ministry team.
Rev Davies, 76, of Battenhall, Worcester said during the service he was reminded of the hymn 'Jesus shall reign where' er the sun' and particularly the line 'Let every creature rise and bring, peculiar honours to our King'.
He added: "We have peculiar honours brought to our king and this is a peculiar honour from our king. It's a great honour."
Rev Davies said he felt the honour was a result of those who had helped him prayed for him 'down the decades', recalling how he was welcomed into a church when he was 11 years old (All Saints in Kings Heath in Birmingham).
"I have never forgotten that. It's the gift of welcome," he said.
Another recipient was Barbara Barratt, 87, of Coventry. Originally from Glasgow, she has helped adults learn to read for over 50 years.
Mrs Barratt said: "It has been absolutely exhilarating. I can't tell you what it means to me. I felt 'I can't think why they're giving this to me - I can think of 500 people who should get it before me'. I'm happy I have been chosen, very honoured indeed."
She said of Queen Camilla: "She was delightful, so pretty with such a lovely happy face. She looked as if she was really pleased to see you and to welcome you. I also got that feeling from King Charles' message. It was a wonderful message. We felt he was genuinely sorry not to be here himself which I found quite moving."
Sophie Dodds, 85, of Harvington, near Evesham was another to receive the Maundy Money after her work with the church when she retired 24 years ago.
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She organised summer fetes, Christmas fairs and afternoon teas. She has been an integral part of the life of St James' Church in Harvington, including Bible discussions.
After retirement, Sophie was churchwarden in Harvington for 11 years, running the summer and Christmas fetes for 10 years and project managing a £180,000 refurbishment of St James Church. She’s also worked for U3A for 24 years, teaching German classes.
Mrs Dodds said: "I'm very honoured. The experience was wonderful. It was very special. I thought the service itself was beautifully put together. The Queen thanked me for what I had done and I thanked her as well, for receiving me. It was very emotional. I felt extremely humbled.
"I could only have done this because of the help of others and the support of the community. Otherwise I would not be able to do it. This award is not just for me. It is for everyone in the community."
In his role as Lord High Almoner, Bishop John accompanied HM The Queen.
He said: “This is an immensely special service and I know it will mean a huge amount to those who have been chosen to receive the coins, all of whom will have given years of service to their local communities.”
After the service he described the experience as 'wonderful' and praised all who had given such 'fantastic service to the community, inspired by their Christian faith'.
"The Queen stepped into this role so wonderfully and the warmth she exhibited to all the recipients was very touching," he said.
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