The Order of St Ethelbert - The 2023 recipients
The Order was founded in 2015 as a means of recognising and honouring women and men from the parishes of the diocese and beyond who have supported and nurtured the Christian ministry of the diocese in many and devoted ways. The Order will be presented to the recipients by the Bishop of Hereford in Hereford Cathedral at a special service of dedication. Each recipient receives a signed certificate from Bishop Richard, a St Ethelbert medal and ribbon and a copy of the book St Ethelbert, King and Martyr.
This year's recipients were awarded this prestigious medal at a unique service of dedication which was held on Sunday 22nd October at Hereford Cathedral.
Recipients for 2023 are as follows:
Mrs Serena Askew, Wigmore Abbey
For her service as Lay Chair of Wigmore Abbey, especially during vacancies, and as Churchwarden at Burrington, as well as community service as Chair for various committees.
Mr Geoffrey & & Mrs Helen Bricknell, Leominster
For long term service across a range of leadership roles, and for their continued work in fundraising and house group hosts.
Mr Richard Brooks, Much Marcle
For nearly three decades as churchwarden, as well as service to the arts as prop maker for ‘Open the Book’, and leadership of the reordering and restoration of the church.
Mr William & Mrs Carol Coleman, Goodrich & Welsh Bicknor
For their long service on the PCC in a range of leadership roles; for William’s work on bell tower maintenance, and for Carol’s work with children’s church and outreach.
Mr David & Mrs Margaret Cooke, Ratlinghope
For their combined long service; David as Churchwarden for 44 years, and Margaret as Deanery Synod representative and Treasurer for 43 years.
Mr Cliff Davis, Kingsland
For 79 faithful years of service as a chorister, as well as in other capacities across the years.
Dr Elizabeth Donovan, Burghill
For 43 years of service as a choir member and bell-ringer, as well as serving on the PCC; in addition to the community for service as a Guide leader and District Commissioner.
Mrs Monica Edmunds, Bishopswood
For her long service as Churchwarden, as events organiser reaching out into the community, and her role on the Village Hall committee, acting as champion for the replacement building.
Mr Mark Franklin, Bromyard
For his service as Churchwarden, leading the church community through a difficult time, stepping into additional roles and encouraging the team of volunteers.
Mr Michael Gammon, Stottesdon
For his long service across the Diocese providing expertise when church buildings require urgent assistance and enabling a number of churches to be removed from the Heritage at Risk Register.
Mrs Jennifer Hazell, Whitchurch
For 35 years’ service on the PCC and her creative work in floral work and knitting, which have been imaginative and effective ways to connect with the wider community.
Mrs Eileen Jones, Claverley
For long service as part of the Flower festival group, and over 35 years and continuing service as a verger. She was also a churchwarden for 9 years.
Mr Keith Jones, Goodrich & Welsh Bicknor
For his service as an organist in the parish and his wider work restoring church organs across Gloucestershire and Herefordshire.
Mrs Marjorie Jones, Ditton Priors
For many years service lay leadership of family and children’s service, distributor of parish magazine and as a founding member of the Brown Clee community choir.
Mr Jeremy & Mrs Ann Lansdell, Ashford Bowdler
For their service in leadership roles as Treasurer and Churchwarden and their hospitality in hosting a wide range of church events in their home and garden.
The Rev’d Colin Leggate, Ross with Walford and Brampton Abbotts
For exceptional service in retirement as industrial chaplain to Ross traders and as Chaplain to the Ross and Monmouth Sea Cadets.
Mr Henry Lewis, Milborough
For service of 18 years as Churchwarden, 26 years as organist, and 24 years as Tower captain, and his leadership across these areas.
Mr Richard Lewis, Llanfair Waterdine
For his service as organist and co-founder and co-director of Llanfairwaterdine Singers; as PCC and Synod member, and his service as Hospital Chaplain and Dementia Champion.
Mrs Connie Morgan, Wyesham
For 60 years of service to her local church as a Churchwarden and prayer group leader, and in the community teaching swimming and St John’s Ambulance courses.
Mrs Jackie Mumford, Hereford Deanery
For her service as Churchwarden of All Saints, Hereford, and as Lay Co-Chair, providing invaluable support across the Deanery.
Sir Richard Mynors, St Weonards
For service in a range of leadership roles over the many years, including Churchwarden, organist and choirmaster, Governor of The Bishop of Hereford’s Bluecoat School, and on Diocesan Synod.
Mrs Jane Oliver, Ocle Pychard
For 77 faithful years’ service as an organist.
Mrs Judy Orgee, Much Cowarne
For service as an organist for 34 years, as well as wider service to Hereford Cathedral and at St Michael’s Hospice.
Mr Andrew Pearson, Elton
For service as a lay preacher and leading imaginative services for the wider community.
Mrs Carla Phelps, St John’s Ludlow
For 30 years’ service on the Management Committee and for her general support and encouragement to the life of the church.
Mr Colin Porter, Tugford
For long service as a Churchwarden and Treasurer and for support to the wider Church through his work as an Independent Financial Examiner.
Mr Malcolm Robertson, West Hereford Team
For over 50 years’ service as a lay minister, as well as Benefice Safeguarding Co-ordinator.
Mrs Karen Robinson, Sheinton
For 23 years’ service as Treasurer, whose leadership on fundraising and maintenance have kept Sheinton from being at risk of closure.
Mr Brian Roby, Felton
For 30 years’ service as a Churchwarden, particularly for the care and maintenance of the church building and grounds.
Dr Joy Roderick, Hereford Cathedral
For over 25 years of service within the Cathedral across a number of roles, including Friends Events’ Organiser, Guide, Cathedral Warden, and congregational representative on the Cathedral Council.
Mr Paul Scott, Leominster
For service to the community through establishing the Friendship Centre and co-founding and chairing Leominster Food Bank.
Ms Jackie Smith, Ford Group
For over 70 years of service playing the organ and supporting other organists through teaching and encouragement.
Mrs Margaret Teague, Tugford
For long service to the general life of the church, from cleaning, catering and giving lifts, as fundraiser and pastoral visitor.
Mr Eddie Thompson, Allensmore
For nearly 60 years of loyal service including as Churchwarden and Treasurer, overseeing several refurbishment and fundraising projects.
Mrs Shirley Wildig, Thornbury
For over 40 years of service as PCC member, Church organist and electoral roll officer, and her active support of the life of the church.
Mr Roger Wilkins, Bromyard
For his service as Churchwarden, leading the church community through a difficult time, stepping into additional roles and encouraging the team of volunteers.
Mr Gerald Worrall, Pontesbury
For his long service behind the scenes, with fundraising, routine maintenance and key-holder, and 20 years as Treasurer.