Order of St woolos 2009
l to r: Mr Christopher Pennant, Mrs Carole Jacob, the Bishop, the Dean, Mr Donald Maxfield,
Mr Simon Boyle
The Bishop awarded the Order of St Woolos to four lay people in recognition of the outstanding service they have given to the Diocese. The award was given during Evensong in the Cathedral on Sunday, 11th January.
Mr CHRISTOPHER PENNANT was born at Denbigh in North Wales, and read Law at Cambridge, then proceeding to solicitors’ offices in London where he did further studies for the Law Society exams. As a Solicitor of the Supreme Court he then moved down to South Wales and joined the firm of Lloyd and Pratt in 1975.
Chris’ father, David Pennant, was already serving this Diocese devotedly as Chancellor, and Chris himself became Chapter Clerk to the Cathedral in 1988. The position of Chapter Clerk is one given freely, “pro bono publico”, and he has worked selflessly for the good of the Cathedral and the Diocese ever since his appointment. The work and profile of the Cathedral has changed greatly through the years and through all these changes, Chris has been a source of both strength and help. He is also a former member of the Deanery Conference and the Monmouth Diocesan Trust.
Mrs CAROLE JACOB is a dedicated leader of the Girls’ Friendly Society (GFS) in the Diocese and in the Province of Wales and also in England where she is a member of the GFS Board of Trustees. She has been a GFS branch leader for 22 years, President for the Diocese of Monmouth for 8 years, Provincial Secretary for 6 years and finished her term as GFS President for Wales at the end of 2008. She works hard for the GFS and has a teaching programme for them relating to the Church seasons and its teaching.
Carole was also a great help to her late husband, Michael, during his “Fight the Plan” campaign which later became “Torfaen Friends of the Earth” and in his service to the diocese regarding environmental issues. Her award is also inscribed with his name.
Mr DONALD MAXFIELD was admitted as a Reader in the Diocese of Monmouth in 1954 and served in the parishes of St Paul's and Christchurch, Newport. He has given 54 years of service as a Reader in the diocese and has also been a Lay Eucharistic Minister since 2000. Don has served on the Readers' Executive for over thirty years during which time he has been Chairman and then Secretary. Successive Bishops and Wardens have relied on his guidance, and parishes have appreciated his exemplary preaching.
From 1992 Don was Secretary of the Evangelistic Council of the Diocese and from 2000 he served on the Council of Ministry as its Vice-Chairman. He has also served on the Audio Visual Resources Committee.
Mr SIMON BOYLE has been a member of the Parsonage Board for 25 years, and was elected chairman 10 years ago. Shortly after becoming chairman of the Parsonage Board, Simon was elected vice-chairman of the Diocesan Board of Finance and was asked to join a sub-committee tasked with preparing an annual budget and forecast for the DBF each year. Simon has been at the heart of the finances and clergy housing of the diocese for very many years and since standing down from chairmanship of the Parsonage Board, he has continued his membership of the DBF and also the budget sub-committee. His wise, experienced and caring concern have been apparent to all those who have had the pleasure and privilege of working with him. He is self-effacing but not afraid to ask the ‘searching questions’. Notwithstanding his commitments as Lord Lieutenant in the County, Simon has rarely missed meetings demonstrating his call to serve the church both locally and as a very valuable diocesan committee member.
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