Queen honours community stalwarts
THE Queen has personally thanked community stalwarts for their work to “enrich the life” of their neighbours in a letter honouring Maundy money recipients.
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.
“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,” the Queen said in her letter.
“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.”
Among those who received
Maundy money was Malcolm Cloutt, from Princes Risborough, a former Second World War RAF pilot who served in Europe and Burma and turned 100 last year.
Mr Cloutt has given out 1,000 Bibles during his lifetime, listing each recipient by name and praying for them regularly.