Notching up 450 years of service to Cathedral

Among the volunteers enjoying a ‘thank you’ cream tea at Christ Church Cathedral’s garden party in August were 16 men and women who had all given at least 25 years of service: as bellringer, singer, flower arranger, sidesman, shop helper or server.

Each of them were presented by the Dean, Christopher Lewis, with a badge and certificate.

Congratulating them, Dr Lewis said: ‘We are deeply grateful to all our volunteers for the work they do, but especially so to you, our jubilarians. The culture of volunteering here is much admired in other countries, and I hope your example will encourage many more to join your ranks.’

The Dean’s Verger, Edward Evans (who has himself been in post for more than 30 years) said: ‘Some months ago it struck me there were a significant number of volunteers who’d been helping for nearly as long as I’ve been at Christ Church, and I thought we ought to celebrate it. Nearly 450 years of service between them, and a measure of the kind of loyalty the cathedral inspires.’

The jubilarians are: Miriam Avery, Jane Birch, Robin Birch, Ann Delves, Michele Ellender, Daphne Fisher, Ken Gadd, Clive Holloway, Barbara Kennedy, Paul Mellins, Alan Pope, Ian Ross, Jean Spurge, Bernard Stone, Pamela Weston, James Williamson.