TWO Coventry residents have received Maundy Gifts from The Queen.
Each year at the Royal Maundy Service, her majesty recognises and gives thanks for work done by countless people for the wellbeing of their neighbours – work which is often taken for granted or hidden.
The service this year was due to be taken in Westminster Abbey today and Sheila Wicks and Canon Margaret Sedgwick were among this year’s recipients.
But, due to current Covid restrictions, the service was unable to go ahead, and the gift was accompanied by a personal letter from The Queen instead.
The Maundy Gift comprises a collection of specially minted silver coins.
Shelia Wicks lives in Walsgrave, Coventry.
Before lockdown Shelia had been a volunteer at University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire for 45 years, latterly as a Lay Chaplaincy Volunteer.
She has worshipped at St Mary’s, Walsgrave, for 68 years.
Sheila has served as Churchwarden as well as a PCC member for many years and still serves as St Mary’s Electoral Roll Officer.
Shelia said: “It was an amazing surprise to receive a letter from Buckingham Palace and feel very humbled and honoured to receive the Maundy Money and a letter from the Queen.”
Canon Margaret Sedgwick is a Lay Canon of Coventry Cathedral as well as a Cathedral Lay Reader.
She has been a member of the Cathedral community since 1974 and a member of the Cathedral Council.
Margaret also served as Chapter Clerk from 2000 to 2006 and is something of an institution in the diocese having served on a number of key diocesan committees.
Prior to her retirement in 1992, Margaret was Deputy Head of The Blue Coat Church of England School in Coventry, where she had a distinguished career from 1977.
Margaret said: “I remember the Queen coming to distribute the Maundy Money in Coventry in 1995 but never expected to become a recipient myself.
“It has been a privilege to serve the Diocese and Cathedral.”
