Two people from Cumbria have received Maundy money in recognition of their decades of Christian service to church and community.

Rob Cook and Doris Downton joined 74 men and 74 women - equal to the age of His Majesty King Charles III – who were presented with the money at York Minster on Maundy Thursday.

King Charles was joined by The Queen Consort as he presented the Maundy money, having previously handed it out in 2022 on behalf of Her Late Majesty The Queen.

Rob, aged 70, from Stanwix in Carlisle was accompanied by his wife Liz. He moved to the city in 1991, having been appointed Diocesan Treasurer, a post he held for eight years. He later worked for Christian publishers Send the Light – including a three-year posting in America – as well Operation Mobilisation in charge of a mobile Christian bookshop which toured the county. For more than 30 years Rob has worshipped at St Michael’s Stanwix and was licensed as a Reader in 1994. He is a member of the Bishop’s Council and Diocesan Synod and for the past 10 years has served as the Lay Chair of Carlisle Deanery. He also chairs St Michael’s Stanwix Parochial Church Council.

Rob said: “I got the letter of notification through at the end of January and to be honest when I saw the Buckingham Palace post mark, I first thought it may be a scam! However, it turned out that Bishop James had nominated me for the Maundy money which came as a complete surprise.

“We had a brilliant day at the Minster, having travelled down the day before. On Wednesday evening Liz and I were able to attend evensong which was wonderful. When the King handed over the Maundy money, he thanked me for my long service to the church.”

Doris, aged 82, has served at St Mary’s and St Michael’s Egremont for 60 years, since moving to the area with her husband, Fred. After having her daughter, she later worked at Sellafield for 20 years, managing the site’s postal service and then the cleaning of the site before retiring 26 years ago to help care for her grandchildren. Throughout that time Doris has also devoted years to St Mary's and St Michael’s, managing the church hall for which she was also treasurer until three years ago. She also served as a churchwarden for about 20 years.

Doris said: “It was a truly wonderful day. For me, receiving the money was not a form of payment but instead it felt a thanksgiving for the life I’ve had.

“It was truly magic to meet the King. There was so much going on during the day that I could scarcely take it all in. The service was beautiful with lovely music. There was only one companion I would have wanted there with my, my husband, Fred, who has also devoted himself to the church over the years and continues to do so as Church Verger.

“My family and everyone at church have been ecstatic for me. I was at a church meeting the other night and everyone wanted to see the money and to ask me how things had gone on the day.”

The tradition of the sovereign giving money dates from the thirteenth century. Each recipient is given two leather purses – one containing coinage worth £5.50 in lieu of food and clothing and the second contains silver Maundy coins, the same number of pence as the sovereign’s age.

Maundy Thursday commemorates the day of the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles, with the word ‘Maundy’ coming from Christ’s command or ‘mandatum’ to love one another.

The Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Rev James Newcome, said: “I am thrilled that Rob and Doris had such a wonderful time at York Minster. It is wonderful to be able to nominate people in this way in recognition of their selfless service for church and community over so many years.”

Notes for editors

For more information on Maundy Money visit http://www.royalmint.com/discover/uk-coins/maundy-money.

Pic caption:

From the left: Liz Cook, Rob Cook, Doris Downton and Fred Downton

Ends

For further information contact Dave Roberts, Diocesan Head of Communications, on 07469 153658 or at communications@carlislediocese.org.uk.