The Order of St Ethelbert - The 2024 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 will be awarded this prestigious medal at a unique service of dedication to be held on Sunday 6th October at 3.30pm during Evensong at Hereford Cathedral.
The short citations listed below, for each recipient, highlight just some aspects of their dedicated service.
Order of St Ethelbert – Citations for Order of Service 2024
Ms Beryl Andrews, Stretton Sugwas
For 34 years’ service as churchwarden, Beryl contributing to almost every aspect of Church and Village life. Beryl first became Churchwarden in 1990 after joining the church in Stretton Sugwas. During her time Beryl took on taking care of the Flowers and Altar.
Mrs Elaine Andrews, Sutton St Michael and Sutton St Nicholas
For 27 years’ service as churchwarden, taking sole responsibility for the fabric of St Michael’s, and enabling intergenerational mission through families work, and ‘Open the Book’ in the local schools.
Mr Kenneth Auty, Bishops Castle
For 40 years’ service as organist, who continues to play at the age of 97 years. He has an unstinting commitment to music in the church, suggesting and forming a congregation worship band to complement lay-led services.
Dr James Ayres, Ford and Alberbury
For over 20 years’ service to the churches through artistic support, playing the organ from the age of 73, reforming the Advent Choir and writing a new carol each year; and latterly fundraising through concerts, art exhibitions and poetry.
Mrs Gillian Bilbrough, Elton
For over 25 years’ service as Churchwarden, and continuing support to the PCC as Secretary, Safeguarding Officer and Flower Co-ordinator. She has opened her home for hospitality and fundraising events for the Church and wider community.
Miss Annabelle Brown, Kinnersley
For 60 years’ service as church organist, including fundraising during lockdown by playing 100 hymns in one day for visitors.
Mrs Joy Conlon, Colwall
For service across a wide range of church roles, from parish administrator and magazine editor, to events catering lead and AV system operator; and building relationships with the wider community through pastoral services and supporting the Girl Guides.
Mr Robert Curtis, Quatford
For 32 years’ service as a Trustee of the Charitable Trust supporting Quatford Church, caring for its historical records and maintenance of fabric. He served with distinction as Churchwarden and Chair of the PCC.
Mrs Margaret Darlington, Coalbrookdale
For 24 years’ service as a Churchwarden, 34 years on the PCC. She has built up the relationship with the local primary school, with 13 years' involvement with ‘Open the Book’ and volunteering to hear the children read.
Mr Colin Edwards, Minsterley
For 43 years’ service as treasurer and gift aid officer, Churchwarden for 6 years, and jointly with his wife Marie has been responsible for the production of the Parish magazine for decades.
Mrs Marie Edwards, Minsterley
For 55 years’ service supporting through verging, cleaning, playing the organ, fundraising and hospitality, baking cakes that have raised thousands of pounds. As well as the Parish magazine, she was a founder member of the bereavement support group.
Miss Susannah Hall, Ashford Carbonel
For 30 years’ service in building links between the Church and local school, serving as Foundation Governor, RE Link, on the Church School and Premises Committees, and as a member of the Open the Book team.
Mrs Cynthia Hartland, Grandstand Road, Holmer
For 20 years’ service as a Chapelwarden, preparing the church for services, welcoming visitors, and helping at the toddler group. She has been a vital fund-raiser and pastoral visitor.
Mrs Diane Hodgson, Coddington
For 27 years’ service as PCC Secretary, 13 years as Church Warden, 24 years as Flower co-ordinator and 37 years as a pastoral visitor, among other roles. She has identified and instigated events to place the church at the heart of the local community, and helped secure its financial viability.
Mr Simon Hudson, Hereford Cathedral
For over 30 years’ service as a stonemason, providing advice to the DAC on stonework matters, supporting young people as apprentices and enabling their entry into stonemasonry, and creating a welcoming first encounter for many cathedral visitors.
Mr Geoff Jarrett, Smethcote
For 26 years’ service as a Churchwarden, 11 years as Treasurer and ongoing fundraiser, and the exceptional service of acting as stand-in PCC Secretary after his wife, Helen, who had held that role, died suddenly until a replacement could be found.
Mrs Donna Jones, Credenhill
For 21 years’ service in the choir, 30 years as a PCC member, and 40 years’ service in the wider community as a Brownie leader, and subsequent setting up intergenerational projects of Messy Church and Café Church.
Mrs Elizabeth Jones, Diddlebury and Corvedale
For 30 years’ service as treasurer at both parish and benefice level, as well as helping at events with hospitality, fundraising and distribution of the parish magazine.
Mr Tony Lewis, Lydbury North
For 25 years’ service in the choir, as a PCC member and Chair, and almost every role in the daily life of the Church. His support of children in Church included serving as Chair of Governors in the local CE primary school and involving children in services.
Mrs Mary Morgan, Llanfair Waterdine
For 50 years’ service on the PCC in different responsibilities including 23 years as Secretary and 13 years as Electoral Roll Officer. She has encouraged the involvement of parishioners with a special focus on imaginative community building.
Mr Edgar Moss, Mordiford
For 50 years’ service as Churchwarden, and his commitment to the local community. He sat for many years on the Parish Council, including a period as Chair, and continues to prepare the church for services, thereby enabling its ongoing regular worship.
Miss Christabel Panter, Ledbury
For 25 years’ service as a PCC member and Deanery Synod representative, using her needlework skills to care for the vestments and other church furnishings. In addition, she is the Church Mission Society link, building up the relationships and fundraising.
Mr Anthony Penn, Tenbury Wells
For 56 years’ service as a PCC member, including 35 years as Lay Chair, and his tireless work in preserving the Church building and its Henry Willis pipe organ and in securing funding to modernise the facilities with greater accessibility.
Mrs Janet Penn, Tenbury Wells
For 47 years’ service as a PCC member, Churchwarden, and supporting the church with her floristry experience, and fundraising through plant and Christmas wreath sales, coffee and cake, lunches and medieval banquets.
Mr Douglas Simkin, Coalbrookdale
For 43 years’ service as Treasurer, including 10 years as Deanery Treasurer. He has played a major role in applying for grants to provide new facilities, served as a foundation governor at the local school, and continues to serve as Churchwarden.
Mr Brian Speakman, Wellington Heath
For 46 years’ service as a PCC member, 18 years as Churchwarden, and 30 years as Chair of the Friends of Christ Church, as well as service in the wider community at the Salters Trust (now Walsingham Support) supporting people with learning disabilities.
Mrs Dianne Tomlins-Davies, Westbury
For over 15 years’ service as Churchwarden, and many more as Sacristan, Sidesperson and general help. She has been instrumental in forging a relationship with the special needs school in the village, and creating opportunities for engagement in the church.
Mrs Maureen Turner, Bishops Frome
For 33 years’ service as Sacristan, faithful service behind the scenes preparing the altar each week, laundering communion linen and changing the altar frontals.