Church members receive Royal Maundy money

Mrs Shirley Crutchley from Kilhorne Parish, Annalong, was one of this year’s recipients of the Queen’s Maundy money.

Sadly, the Maundy Service planned for Thursday in St George’s Chapel, Windsor, did not go ahead because of the restrictions around Covid–19. Shirley did, however, receive her Maundy coins by Special Delivery.

Shirley said: “I first of all wish to express my sincere gratitude to Bishop Harold Miller for his kind thought to send my name forward to be one of the Maundy recipients. It was truly a completely unexpected but a lovely surprise, and I thank him for that honour. Of course, I am disappointed that because of current circumstances the ceremony at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, has been cancelled. Nevertheless, I feel honoured to have received a letter from our Queen and also the special Maundy Purses, and these will always be greatly treasured.”

Each year, the Queen distributes special Maundy money to a number of pensioners in recognition of their contribution to community and to the church and Shirley is a worthy recipient.

As the principal teacher of a local primary school outside Annalong, Shirley was much more than a teacher; she was a family support worker, she was a bereavement counsellor, she was a career guidance officer and she was a listening ear for all.

In retirement, Shirley spends her days and often her nights visiting vulnerable and lonely elderly people; she befriends widows and others who are struggling with loss and grief. Young adults and teenagers still seek her wisdom, her advice and her encouragement.

Shirley has set up a variety of community–based support groups for people of every class and all denominations in her local area. In addition to this she finds time to volunteer in her local church and has served as a Diocesan Lay Reader and ‘unpaid curate’ for over 28 years.

Now aged 80 plus she is tireless in her helping of others and always makes herself available for family and friends.

Two active members of parishes in Clogher Diocese were recipients of Maundy money from Her Majesty, The Queen this week, marked their contribution to their churches and communities.

Jean McElroy, a member of Lisbellaw Parish Church and Trevor Smith, a member of Boho Parish Church, received their Maundy money by Royal Mail Special Delivery as the special service at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor, could not be held because of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Both were nominated by the Bishop of Clogher for their Christian service.

The Queen has each year distributed special Maundy money to pensioners across the United Kingdom in a service to commemorate Jesus washing the feet of the Apostles at the Last Supper following a tradition that dates back to 600 A.D.

This year, the Queen sent Maundy money to 94 men and 94 women, the number of each reflecting her age.

Both Jean and Trevor and all the other recipients were given two small leather purses, one red and one white. One of them contained a small amount of ordinary coins symbolising the Sovereign’s gift for food and clothing and the second purse containing Maundy coins to the value of the Sovereign’s age.

Jean McElroy had been looking forward to visiting St. George’s Chapel, Windsor, with her husband Jimmy, since her nomination some months ago as she is an avid follower of the Royal family. And while disappointed at not being able to receive the money in person, she was overwhelmed to be nominated.

Married for 50 years,a mother of three and a grandmother of six, Jean is a retired school cook but is now actively involved in Lisbellaw Parish Church, working mostly behind the scenes.

She is a valued member of the parish catering team, acting as its treasurer. She is former treasurer of Lisbellaw Mothers’ Union and is at present, Secretary of Lisbellaw Womens’ Institute and Secretary of their senior citizens’ club.

But her work does not end there.

Jean is a prolific baker and flower arranger and also actively supports the elderly in the community. On Maundy Thursday, Jean was busy making several cakes and scones which were being distributed by Rector, Revd. Stephanie Woods, to older members of the parish isolated in their homes.

Jean and her husband, Jimmy and their family; son, Ian (Lisbellaw) and daughters Linda (Armagh) and Adele (Kesh) however will not be able to have a family get together to mark her achievement until restrictions from the Coronavirus are relaxed.

Trevor Smith, a member of Boho Parish Church, is well known throughout Fermanagh as a member of the teaching staff of Portora Royal School (now Enniskillen Royal Grammar School), for 47 years retiring as Vice-Principal in August 2019.

Trevor explained how he had been involved in many aspects of extra-curricular activity at the school including sport as well as his leadership in the technology department. He had also been involved in aspects of the school’s provision of the boarding department in the earlier years of his career.
He had said that his best highlight from his time at the school was seeing pupils reach their potential.

At Boho Parish Church, Trevor Smith is a member of the Vestry and regularly helps out with practical tasks around the church to ensure it is ready for worship each Sunday.

Regarding his nomination to receive Maundy money, Trevor said; “It’s a great honour to be nominated. There are lots of other people doing a lot of work but one of the qualifications must be that you are over 70.”

Trevor and his wife, Jean live in Enniskillen, close to Enniskillen Royal Grammar School.

The Maundy money

Each recipient of Maundy money is given two small leather purses by The Queen, one red and one white.

The first contains a small amount of ordinary coinage which symbolises the Sovereign’s gift for food and clothing. The second purse contains Maundy coins up to the value of the Sovereign’s age. The coins are legal tender, but recipients normally prefer to retain them as a keepsake.