THE Bishop of Truro, the Rt Rev Tim Thornton presented 25 recipients with the Cross of St Piran Award at services on Sunday.
The awards are given annually to people from across the diocese who are nominated for their services to their church, parish or wider community.
The presentations were made during two services at St Piran’s Church, Perranzabuloe.
Among those receiving their award was Carol Baker from Launceston, who was nominated by a local worship leader from the Stratton Deanery who she had met through conversation about church whilst working at Tesco.
Carol has played the church organ at St Martin of Tours in Werrington within the Boyton Benefice for nearly 60 years and has rarely missed a Sunday service.
Growing up in Werrington, Carol attended Werrington church from a young age every Sunday. When the then organist left to get married, Carol’s primary school teacher suggested that Carol could start to play the organ.
“Once I started playing the organ, the piano wasn’t quite so interesting,” she said. She started playing for the church services at the age of 14, playing for two services every Sunday.
David, Carol’s husband of 48 years has always been very appreciative of her organ playing and would go to work earlier in the morning so that Carol could have the car to get to church.
Over the years, Carol has met many of the local families and knows them personally.
She said: “I would say that I have played for hundreds of funerals and weddings over the years.”
One of the first weddings that Carol played for, she also played for the bridegroom’s funeral 54 years later.
Even having her two young children didn’t stop Carol from playing the organ, keeping them next to her in the carry cot while she played — she has ‘never let anyone down’, playing for any occasion that people ask her to.
Over the years Carol has served the church faithfully through helping to clean the church, arrange the flowers and being a member of the Parochial Church Council (PCC).
Carol said the obligation and commitment has always been a large part of her life, being awarded the St Piran’s Cross gives her great satisfaction.
Celia Bell of Bude was also a recipient. She was nominated by the Rev Richard Ward-Smith via the Stratton Deanery.
She has served at Kilkhampton for many years, having worked for ten years on the PCC and six years as a churchwarden.
Celia has organised many fundraising activities over the years, the Christmas market and the flower show amongst others. She has always been ready to step in when someone fails to turn up to ensure things run smoothly, making her work for the church invaluable.
A Cross of St Piran was also presented to Anthony Naylor of Launceston who was nominated by the Rev Deryn Roberts via the Trigg Major Deanery.
Anthony is currently churchwarden of St Nonna’s Church, Altarnun, a post he has held for a number of years.
In her nomination Rev Roberts said Anthony supports her in a number of ways, always ensuring that the church is clean and tidy and properly set up for worship.
He has a passion for the church building and its history and is more than willing to take visitors on a guided tour, always ready to welcome them and answer any questions. He works tirelessly to support the church and the wider community.
Having been nominated by the Stratton Deanery, Jo Smith from Tintagel also received an award.
Jo has been a conscientious and committed member of the church over a large number of years and worships regularly in Tintagel parish. She has held a number of posts of responsibility during this time and is currently the leading churchwarden as well as taking a major role in the financial aspects of the parish.
Jo supports the parish priest in a number of other ways by taking on the role of a ‘parish administrator’. As a worship leader, she regularly reads the lessons and intercessions as well as leading evening prayer during the summer months. She also visits a number of housebound folk within the parish.
Another recipient, Pam Richards of Port Isaac has been the sacristan at St Endellion Church for the last 20 years and has been totally reliable in her duties. Her nomination came from the PCC at St Endellion.
Pam keeps the silver and altar linen in pristine condition and is always in attendance carrying out her duties with quiet dignity.
She did a stint as churchwarden and founded the Mothers Union branch at St Endellion, in addition to organising fundraising events and a monthly whist drive in the hall.
The St Enodoc parish nominated Bill Nimmo of Trebetherick to receive an award. Bill is a devout member of the congregation at St Enodoc, leading evensong services, chairing PCC meetings and he is the current chairman of the lay committee.
He is one of the original members of ‘The Trust of St Minver Friends’, a very active movement for the preservation of the three churches, St Minver, St Michael and St Enodoc.
Bill is responsible for the supply of electricity to the church, the fitting of cabinets, altar rail and replacement front doors and he has launched fundraising appeals for the new footpath, restoration of the spire, stone replacement and waterproofing.
He has also been a lifetime active member of St John Ambulance.
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