On 17th April 2003 Fred Read from St Peter's Church received Royal Maundy coins from the Queen at Gloucester Cathedral:-
Mary Read, Audrey Turner and Fred Read
I feel deeply honoured and privileged to have received the Royal Maundy from the Queen at Gloucester Cathedral, and wish to thank those responsible at church for nominating me. I should also like to thank my friends in the congregation for all their kind words which I very much appreciate. St. Peters has been an important part of my life since boyhood, and I have many happy memories in all that I have been involved in over the years.
Maundy Thursday was a truly memorable day that I shall always remember and treasure. I was so pleased that my wife, Mary, Audrey and my daughter Liz, who acted as my supporter, were able to attend the cathedral service to share this joyous and humbling occasion with me. Felicity and David were also there and offered their support.
The various processions and red tunics of the Yeomen of the Guard made it a colourful ceremony. I enjoyed the wonderful service with the uplifting music sung so beautifully by Her Majesty's Chapels Royal and the Gloucester Cathedral choirs.
The service was broadcast on BBC Gloucestershire radio, which we recorded and a video of the ceremony will be left at the church for anyone who wishes to watch and recapture this memorable occasion. I would be delighted to show the monies and purses to anyone who would be interested to see them.
Fred Read
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The Queen celebrated the 77th year of her life by presenting little white purses containing specially-minted silver coins to 154 worthy Gloucestershire pensioners - 77 men and 77 women. The traditional Maundy Thursday ceremony, this year held at Gloucester Cathedral, is an annual act of service to the people by the Sovereign. It is inspired by accounts of the Last Supper, when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. This year's 154 recipients, all from Gloucestershire, were chosen by Buckingham Palace in recognition of their Christian service to the community. |