Photos clockwise from top left: Jean Blaine, Shirley Gwyther, Jackie Smith, John Markwick and Dilwyn Price
Seven parishioners from Hereford Diocese are among the 154 people nominated to receive Maundy Money from HRH King Charles III at today's annual Maundy Service at St Asaph's Cathedral
St Asaph Cathedral is the mother church of the Diocese of St Asaph, one of the six dioceses of the Church in Wales. There are also churches of the Church of England which are in Wales, of which Hereford Diocese has over a dozen.
All seven recipients from Hereford Diocese are from parishes close to the Welsh border, on one side or the other or, in some cases, which straddle both sides.
The seven recipients from Hereford Diocese this year are:
Mr. Dilwyn Price
Mrs. Jacqueline Smith
Mrs. Rosemary Davies (Gough)
Mr. John Markwick
Mrs. Shirley Gwyther
Mrs. Marion Jones
Mrs. Jean Blaine
The Rt Revd Richard Jackson, Bishop of Hereford, made the nominations and said: “Each year, the Maundy Money service offers an opportunity to recognise the Christ-like service and long-standing contributions of those who have given so much to the life and ministry of the Church. We count it a particular honour and joy to serve as a Diocese whose parishes span the Welsh border, and to celebrate the faithful witness of those whose ministry enriches communities on both sides. It is a joyful occasion, and I am deeply thankful for the faithful example of Dilwyn, Jacqueline, Rosemary, John, Shirley, Marion and Jean as followers of Jesus.”
The Maundy Money Tradition
Each year on the Thursday before Easter Sunday, The Monarch presents older members of the Church of England, who have been identified as especially deserving, with special 'Maundy' coins in a traditional Ceremony of the Royal Maundy.
The total number of men and women recipients is always restricted to match the Monarch's age – in 2026, the King will present 77 men and 77 women with specially-minted silver coins to the value of 77p - signifying Charles's age - to thank the pensioners for their service in local communities.
These specially minted pieces are almost always handed out to worshippers over 70 years of age, nominated by local dioceses for their contributions to the church and the community.
Comments from Recipients
Although unable to attend the service in person due to ill-health, Mr. Dilwyn Price said, “I was very surprised by the nomination, and very honoured to have been chosen. I am a churchwarden and have been for a number of years and will continue as long as I am able.”
Mrs. Jean Blaine said, “I was very surprised (I thought at first it was a joke!). I feel really overwhelmed...it was totally unexpected! My Church means so much to me but I didn't expect to ever receive an award.”
Mrs Jackie Smith said, “It was a huge surprise to receive the letter from Buckingham Palace saying I'd been nominated for The Maundy Gift's. I have no idea why my name was put forward as there are many here that I consider more worthy. It is a tremendous honour and something I will always treasure. When I moved to Shropshire from Goodrich in 1980 only knowing my husband’s family, the Church community made me very welcome and have always been there through the ups and downs of life in the last 45 years. Wonderful folk. Playing the organ around the area has been a way of giving something back to the community.”
Mr. John Markwick commented, “I was taken by surprise and honoured to receive the invitation to be given Maundy Money from the King. I realise that I will be receiving this ancient gift on behalf of Holy Trinity Church, Leighton and the Deanery of Pontesbury. I became involved with the village of Leighton and its Church from 1974, managing the various works that were required to maintain the building and grounds. I was volunteered to be Treasurer in 1993. I was asked to serve as Churchwarden, after another parishioner volunteered to serve as Treasurer. My late wife and I have taken a great interest in village activities, including helping raise funds for many projects including to replace the old 'Guildroom' with a modern Village Hall adjacent to the School and an extension to the Hall.“
The nomination statements for the recipients are as follows:
Mr. Dilwyn Price
Discoed, a chapel of ease of St Andrew’s, Presteigne, owes an immense debt to Dilwyn, a semi-retired farmer and long-serving Churchwarden who played a crucial role in saving St Michael’s from closure, restoring its finances, overseeing major repairs and reordering, and helping it to grow into a centre for both worship and the arts. Now in his eighties, he continues to serve tirelessly by setting up for services and events, welcoming all who come, caring for the church and churchyard, serving on the Friends Group, supporting neighbours across the community, and keeping the clergy closely in touch with local life, embodying a prayerful, practical and quietly faithful Christian witness at the heart of Discoed.
Mrs. Jacqueline (Jackie) Smith
Jackie, organist for the parishes of Great Wollaston and Alberbury and a familiar presence across the Ford Group (including until its closure at Coedway Chapel in Powys), has given decades of devoted service to church and community across this borderland area of Wales and England. Deeply rooted in local farming life through her late husband Sonny Smith and her long involvement with the Cruckton and District Ploughing Match, she is widely known and trusted, using that knowledge to support countless people through lifts to hospital, collecting prescriptions, regular phone calls and practical help, as well as introducing newcomers to the Three Cheers coffee mornings and making sure no one is left isolated. A gifted gardener, she grows dahlias in abundance to decorate churches at Cardeston and Middletown and to give as gifts when visiting people, and her kindness is legendary — from accompanying vulnerable parishioners to appointments and outings to quietly caring for neighbours in times of illness and difficulty — all while continuing to play the organ faithfully well into her eighties, making her a much-loved and vital presence at the heart of her parishes and communities.
Mrs. Rosemary Davies (Gough)
Rosemary Davies (Gough) has given a lifetime of quiet, faithful service to St Nicholas’ Church, following in her mother’s footsteps by cleaning and caring for the building over many years until physical disability finally made it impossible for her to continue. Unassuming, gentle and deeply devoted, she has lived out her Christian faith not in words but in steady, practical service and loving commitment to her church. Despite enduring significant personal hardship, she has remained steadfast and gracious, never seeking recognition, and her life is a powerful witness to humble discipleship and enduring love for her Lord and community.
Mr. John Markwick
John Markwick of Leighton, now in his eighties, has given many years of exemplary service to both church and community, serving with dedication as Churchwarden, Treasurer and in numerous other roles, alongside a lifetime of generous involvement in the wider life of the village. His faithful and practical commitment has helped to sustain and strengthen the parish over decades, and any recognition would, in his own eyes, also honour the memory of his late wife Ann, whose devoted service so closely matched and complemented his own.
Mrs. Shirley Gwyther
Shirley Gwyther, now in her eighties, has given long and devoted service to the church in Hyssington through her leadership of fundraising activities, most notably supervising two major flower festivals, and through her skilled and generous craftsmanship. Over many years she has made the majority of the church’s altar linen and curtains, giving freely of both her time and her materials, and her quiet dedication and practical generosity have made a lasting and much-valued contribution to the life of the church.
Mrs. Marion Jones
Marion Jones, now well into her nineties, has never held formal office but has given many years of faithful and practical service as a devoted member of the church community in Hyssington. She was deeply involved in flower arranging, cleaning, and other shared tasks, and was especially known for her meticulous care of the church brass, all undertaken with quiet commitment and generosity. Though she is no longer able to attend services, she continues to take a lively and thoughtful interest in the life of the church, and her long-standing faithfulness and willingness to serve remain warmly remembered and deeply valued.
Mrs. Jean Blaine
Jean has served faithfully for many years as Churchwarden in Hyssington, alongside committed service as a member of Deanery Synod and active involvement at diocesan level. Beyond the church, she has given generously to public and community life through her work as a Justice of the Peace, and in earlier years she and her husband Rod opened their home to foster children and adolescents, reflecting a deep and practical commitment to care, justice and service to others.
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