THE February meeting began with a talk by Roy Peacock entitled ‘the Queen’s Jubilee Maundy money’.

Mr Peacock, a lay preacher of many years, was chosen by the Bishop of Dudley to represent the Diocese of Worcester at the Jubilee Maundy Service at York Minster on April 5, 2012.

This was a special service as the Queen had requested that every diocese in the country should be represented instead of just the diocese in which the service was taking place. Eighty-six men and eighty-six women were chosen to receive the Queen’s Maundy money and Mr Peacock was one of them.

He was invited by letter from Buckingham Palace to go to York Minster with two companions. An overnight stay was required as they had to be at the Assembly rooms at 9.30am and seated in the Minster by 11.30am.

A huge crowd of thousands was outside the Minster waiting for the Queen to arrive. Cheers could be heard while she was being greeted by all the dignitaries. During the Maundy Service after the reading of the first lesson, the Yeoman of the Guard appeared to assist Her Majesty with the giving of the Maundy money to the first half of the recipients and again after the second lesson. Each recipient received two leather pouches of Maundy money, all newly minted for this occasion. Mr Peacock commented on how the Queen had enjoyed the service, smiling throughout. The Maundy Service is a continuation of a tradition since the 12th century when the kings of England demonstrated their service and love to their people by the washing of the feet, as Jesus had washed the feet of his disciples during the Last Supper. The service has evolved into the presentation of the tokens of money for those men and women who have given service to their churches and communities.

MyTime Over Fifties meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month in the Amblecote Room at Stourbridge Town Hall at 2pm. The next meeting is on March 26 when George Hook’s subject will be ‘mother of pearl’. For more information telephone Graham 01384 393 483 or Audrey 01384 864 223.