TWO Andover residents have been chosen as recipients of the Queen’s Maundy Money as part of this year’s Easter celebrations.

Yesterday (Thursday, April 14), the Royal Maundy Service was held in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.

This year, Prince Charles, as Her Majesty the Queen’s representative, distributed The Queen’s Maundy Money.

Two Andover residents, June Harris and Derrick Norton were in attendance to receive this honour.

Henry IV decreed that the number of Maundy coins given out each year should be equivalent to the Monarch’s age. This year 96 men and 96 women were nominated from across the United Kingdom.

Historically, recipients would be chosen for their poverty and were entitled to Maundy money for life. However, today, recipients are selected for service to their churches or communities and receive the specially minted coins just once.

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June was born and brought up in Andover. She worked for the Ministry of Defence in the Civil Service for 42 years. She then looked after her mother until her death.

After that, she took on various roles in service to the church and community. For the past 19 years she has acted as St Mary’s Andover Parish Secretary – a role she continues to do, now in her nineties.

Derrick began life as a PE teacher, worked for the Methodist Church as a District Evangelism Enabler, then at the head office in Marylebone. He and his wife, Heather have been part of St Mary’s for nine years after they moved to Andover.

During this time, he has served as part of the St Marys Andover Parochial Church Council alongside a number of pastoral roles. Most recently, with his wife, he has initiated a new course serving people in Andover who have been bereaved.

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A few years ago, Derrick headed up a team that drew together investors who raised funds to buy a house to be used for people who are homeless and seeking to rebuild their lives. The house continues to support people today.

Bishop David, Bishop of Basingstoke, who nominated both, commented: “I am delighted that June and Derrick have both been nominated to receive Maundy Money from Her Majesty the Queen.

“This is in recognition of their deep and abiding commitment to both their church and their community – well beyond the age of retirement. We rejoice that they have both been honoured in this way.”

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