Queen's gift for Shropshire man
The chairman of Shropshire Historic Churches Trust, Stephen Winwood, was one of the recipients of Maundy money from the Queen at a ceremony at St George’s Chapel, Windsor.
Mr Winwood, of Pontesbury, was among those given two small drawstring purses - a red purse containing a special £5 coin and a special 50p coin both minted in 2018, and a white purse with specially minted silver coins called “penny pieces” which amount to 92p, being the same as the Queen’s age this year.
During the service held on the Thursday before Easter Sunday, the Queen distributes gifts according to the number of years she has lived. The tradition dates back to 600AD. She handed the two purses to each of the 92 men and 92 women.
In the past the recipients of Maundy money were elderly poor people, now they are citizens of pensionable age chosen for their service to the community and the Church.
After the ceremony all the recipients were treated to a reception by the royal household in the State Room at Windsor Castle.
Mr Winwood has been a trustee of Shropshire’s Historic Churches Trust for 12 years and chairman for the last seven.
The Trust has raised over £1 million pounds during the past 25 years to help maintain and repair Shropshire’s churches and chapels of all denominations and preserve them for the generations to come.
