The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Perthshire centenarian honoured by the Queen’s Maundy gift
APerthshire 101-year-old who is one of the country’s oldest skiers was personally thanked by the Queen yesterday among other community stalwarts, for their work to “enrich the life” of their neighbours.
The monarch has written to those she would have presented with symbolic coins during the annual Royal Maundy service, but who instead have received the gift by post after the event was cancelled for the second year running due to coronavirus restrictions.
Among the recipients was centenarian George Stewart, who has been a permanent fixture at his local church in Scone for almost 30 years, and was due to attend the cancelled service at Westminster Abbey yesterday.
Mr Stewart, a widower and retired forester, said: “I’m very honoured to be given this money as part of a very venerable and ancient occasion. It’s a great thing and I’m very honoured to receive the letter the Queen sent.”
Retired pensioners who have supported the church and local communities, are recommended by clergy of all denominations to receive Maundy money.
The 101-year-old, who has eight greatgrandchildren, added: “I have a close association with my local church which is Scone and St Martins Parish Church, and it plays a notable part in the activities of the community.”
He joked: “I’m 101 so there’s a limited amount I can do but I support the church’s activities.
“I learnt to ski after the war in Italy where I was stationed, and I’ve skied virtually every year since then, both in Scotland and the Alps.”
The Queen wrote: “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.”
During the service, the Queen would have distributed Maundy money to 95 men and 95 women – as she will be 95 this year, celebrating her birthday on April 21.
But the money was posted instead, due to the Covid-19 lockdown and social distancing instructions, with recipients receiving two purses, one red and one white. The white purse is filled with uniquely minted Maundy money – silver one, two, three and four penny pieces – to the value of 95p. In the red pouch is a £5 coin, this year commemorating the Queen’s 95th birthday, and a 50p which portrays the 50th anniversary of Decimal Day in 1971.
Historically, this sum of £5.50 in the red purse is made up of £3 for clothing, £1.50 in lieu of provisions and £1 which represents a piece of the sovereign’s gown which, before Tudor times, used to be divided between the recipients.
The Royal Maundy is an ancient ceremony which originated in the commandment Christ gave after washing the feet of his disciples the day before Good Friday.