HURSTLEIGH HOMES
Independent retirement living since 1966
Muriel's Maundy Money
While the foot-washing has faded, the tradition of giving special coins, Maundy Money, continues annually on Maundy Thursday – the last Thursday before Easter.
The Rev Ruth Boughton, who has known Muriel since Ruth was a child, put Muriel's name forward as a person who had worked tirelessly in the church helping the young, elderly and disabled for decades. Muriel has had close ties to the Chenies Baptist Church for more than seventy years.​
The Maundy Thursday ceremony in 2024 took place at Worcester Cathedral, however Muriel, who was poorly at the time, opted against attending. With her typical modesty and humility, she said “Well, it was quite a long way and I didn't want to be a trouble to anyone getting me there”!
Muriel then just assumed she would receive the Maundy money in the post and that would be the end of it. Chenies Baptist Church however had other plans and a special service was arranged to present Muriel with the Maundy money.
Giving Muriel just three days notice, she envisaged a low-key affair and didn't tell anyone about it. Unbeknownst to Muriel though, her friends, family and fellow church goers were very aware of the great honour being given to her and the church was filled with a large congregation to celebrate the life, works and contributions of this remarkable lady.
Muriel, one of Hurstleigh's newer residents, is one of just 75 women in the UK to receive Maundy money in 2024.
The specially minted silver coins are given to nominated individuals chosen for their outstanding Christian service and contributions to their local communities. There are two Maundy money fabric purses - a red with a few coins symbolizing the Sovereign's gift for food and clothing and a white purse with coins to the value of King Charles' age, 75 in 2024.
The first recognised Maundy money ceremony, where specially minted coins were given to worthy individuals, took place in 1662 under the reign of Charles II. However the practice of monarchs washing the feet of deserving citizens and giving gifts, inspired by Jesus washing his disciples' feet at the Last Supper, goes back centuries earlier.