Three Weardalians to be honoured by HM The King at Maundy Service
THREE dedicated Christians from Weardale are to be honoured by HM King Charles at the Royal
Maundy service in April.
Diana Sutcliff from St John’s Chapel, John Anstee from Stanhope and Ian Hedley from Frosterley
will all attend the service to be held in Durham Cathedral on April 17 th this year when HM The King
will present them with the traditional Maundy Money. The three Weardalians and their guests are
among the senior citizens chosen by the church to be presented.
Maundy Thursday is a Christian observance in the United Kingdom. The day, also known as Holy
Thursday, occurs during Holy Week and falls on the Thursday before Good Friday . It commemorates
Jesus Christ’s last supper and the initiation of the Eucharist, which is observed in many Christian
churches.
Mrs Sutcliff and Mr Hedley have both been heavily involved with St John the Baptist church at St
John’s Chapel and Mr Anstee with St Thomas Church in Stanhope. Diana has been a member of her
church for 48 years and a church warden for the last 40 years. Ian was a church warden for 10 years
until he and his late wife, Dorothy, moved down Dale into Frosterley in 2016.
Diana, Ian and Dorothy were heavily involved in church events over the years, especially the
monthly ‘Soup and Sweet’ and the renowned Strawberry Teas. All three were – and Diana still is –
stalwarts of the church. Sadly, Dorothy, who died in March last year, is not here to enjoy this very
special accolade but her work, her care and attention, will be celebrated at the Royal Maundy
service.
John Anstee was also a stalwart of the church in Stanhope, serving as Church Warden for over 30
years before his retirement. His knowledge and experience was greatly admired and appreciated,
especially at annual services like Remembrance Sunday when his 50 year association with the Scout
Movement was also prominent. A richly deserved accolade for him too.
Maundy Thursday in the United Kingdom features the monarch offering Maundy money, also
known as Royal Maundy, to selected senior citizens – one man and one woman for each year of the
monarch’s age. King Charles will present each man and woman with a red and white purse during
the service. The red purse traditionally contains an allowance for clothing and provisions and the
white purse holds Maundy coins to match the monarch’s age.
It was a tradition for the monarch in England to wash the feet of the poor (which the Yeoman of
the Laundry pre-washed) and kiss them on Maundy Thursday. This custom took place in England
until 1689. The monarchs showed little enthusiasm for washing feet after the reign of James II but
giving gifts of food and money remained.
All three Weardale recipients have earned this very special award and the Gazette speaks for the
whole of Weardale in sending congratulations and best wishes to them all.
