Diocese of Salisbury

Two church people from the diocese have been given the Lambeth Award by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Chrysogon Bamber, from Figheldean, has been given the Alphege Award for Evangelism and Witness; while Brother Samuel, a Franciscan friar based at Hilfield, outside Sherborne, has been given the Dunstan Award for Prayer and the Religious Life.

Chrysogon Bamber is a Licensed Lay Minister in the seven churches of the Avon Valley Team. Brother Samuel SSF is Guardian at Hilfield Friary, and has been a Franciscan friar for 42 years.

Brother Samuel SSF said he burst out laughing when he received the award, “What have I done to deserve this? But I’m honoured to receive it,” he said. * Also in the diocese, four dedicated church volunteers received specially minted Maundy coins at a service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, from Her Majesty The Queen.

“I’m excited, thrilled, and scared!” said recipient, Freda Meggs, who lives in Melksham where she worships at St Andrew’s. Freda was a Lay Pastoral Assistant, which for her was a ministry largely connected with visiting isolated older people.

Devizes resident Joy Parsons is another recipient who has served the Church in a multiplicity of roles over the years. A worshipper at St James’, Southbroom, she has been a Sunday school teacher, bell ringer, made coffee after services, organised the cleaning rota, and has been parish magazine treasurer.