Loughborough Echo

Reflecting on magnificen­t Maundy Money honour

- By Megan Cox megan.cox@trinitymir­ror.com

SHEPSHED and Quorn residents received purses of special coins from Her Royal Majesty the Queen last Thursday after being selected to take part in an ancient tradition.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh arrived in Leicester last week to attend the Royal Maundy Service at Leicester Cathedral.

The tradition, which dates back to the 13th Century, saw Her Majesty hand out purses of Maundy Money to 91 men and 91 women.

Those who received the royal money were all retired pensioners, recommende­d by clergy and ministers of all denominati­ons, in recognitio­n of service to the church and to the community.

Shepshed man Clifford Newton, who initially threw away his invitation thinking it was junk mail, Carol Coble, of Shepshed, and Quorn residents Michael and Diane Bird were all given Maundy Money.

Clifford Newton, 88, is a member of the congregati­on at St Botolph’s Church and regularly visits St Botolph’s C of E Primary School to help pupils read.

He told the Echo: “It went ever so well. I was on the front row and the Queen was a dozen yards away. She handed out two purses tied together with no effort at all, and she gave me the loveliest smile.”

Carole Coble, also a member of the congregati­on at St Botolph’s Church and an active member of the community, said: “It was very special and humbling. She [the Queen] had to meet so many people but she looked you in the eye and made you feel like the only person there, she did a wonderful job.”

Michael and Diane Bird, of Loughborou­gh Road, Quorn, have been involved with St Bartholome­w’s United Church for more than 50 years.

They have been Sunday school teachers, youth group leaders and have been part of a team which runs assemblies at St Bartholome­w’s C of E School.

Michael, 77, said: “It was a great day and the fact we were there is something we never expected.

“It was magnificen­t.”

 ??  ?? Pictured is Clifford Newton who said the Queen gave him “the loveliest smile”.
Pictured is Clifford Newton who said the Queen gave him “the loveliest smile”.
 ??  ?? Michael and Diane Bird who have been actively involved at St Bartholome­w’s United Church for more than 50 years. Photo courtesy of Leicester Cathedral.
Michael and Diane Bird who have been actively involved at St Bartholome­w’s United Church for more than 50 years. Photo courtesy of Leicester Cathedral.

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