SIXTEEN people from churches across Devon have received a huge recognition for their work with their communities all over Devon, including, locally, one from Yeoford, one from Whitestone, another from Chagford and one from Washfield. 

On Saturday, June 24, they all became a Companion of Saint Boniface, being admitted into the Company of St Boniface Award.

They each received a large round medal presented by the Bishop of Exeter Rt Rev Robert Atwell at an impressive service in Exeter Cathedral.  

They were Lay Minister Carol Price from Yeoford, part of the Crediton Mission Community, Jane Richards from Whitestone, Terrance Bleakman from Chagford and Jeanne Jones from Washfield.  

The Bishop of Plymouth, the Rt Rev James Grier, said in his sermon: “These people are exceptional examples of what should be everyday life for Christians, they are the cream of the crop.”

The Company of St Boniface was established in 2019, the year Boniface became Patron Saint of Devon.

Boniface was born Wynfrith in Crediton in 675.  He went on to became Archbishop of Mainz in Germany, and was murdered in 754 by pagan mercenaries. 

The Company was set up to honour those who have made a substantial contribution to the life of the Church in Devon or who have built up overseas links.  They aim to honour church volunteers who go above and beyond “to serve the people of Devon with joy”.

There are fewer than 100 in Devon who have received such recognition for their work.

Carol Price became a Licensed Lay Minister (Reader) in 1999 in Spreyton where she and her husband Tony were farming.  In 2017 she became the Exeter Archdeaconry Warden of Readers and in 2019 became Assistant Warden.  

This means she helps to select new Licensed Lay Ministers and supports them as they train. She has also been Licensed Lay Minister conference organiser.  During the pandemic Carol kept the conference running by hosting it on-line.  

She and Tony gave up farming, Carol retired from nursing and has been a volunteer in Yeoford, helping its Holy Trinity Church to become a beacon of the community. 

She said: “My service to the church in Devon has been a joy and I have been called by God to do it.  This award means so much to me as I was born in Devon and have always lived here, I am a Devonian through and through.”

The Archdeacon of Exeter, the Venerable Andrew Beane, said he had known Carol for slightly more than three years and had been consistently impressed by her dedication to licensed lay ministry across the Diocese. 

“Carol is a dedicated and compassionate person who is always willing to help others,” he said. 

JANE RICHARDS

Jane has been Churchwarden at St Catherine’s Church at Whitestone since 2006 and Kenn Deannery chair since 2011.  At the July Synod, one month after her 90th birthday, Jane is planning on standing again for election to serve in her fifth triennium.

A retired GP, she is still an active member of the British Medical Association.  She is known for her infectious energy and enthusiasm as well as her wisdom and relationship building with her local church community. 

Ruth Frampton who nominated Jane for the award she that she models her stability and joyful service that is the church’s vocation.

JEANNE JONES and TERRANCE BLEAKMAN

Jeanne has been a member of St Mary’s Church at Washfield for many years, a Churchwarden for the last 17 and, in her 90s, she still leads services, visits the vulnerable, volunteers at the children’s Holiday Club and opens her home to family and friends. 

She said: “I’m very honoured by the award and was inspired by the service which reminded us that people in the community need help and we must do things as well as talking about it.” 

Terry is treasurer for St Michael’s Church at Chagford and is credited with bringing the church into the 21st century by introducing technology, including contactless giving machines and decent sounds and vision equipment.

This included installing a livestreaming camera in Swift nesting boxes in the church tower, cameras in the bell tower and a church bell simulator so that people can learn to ring the bells without disturbing the neighbours. 

He is responsible for the sound, heating and lighting in the church and churchyard, most of which he can now control from his mobile phone.   He has also encouraged church members to work with non-church goers including young people.

Margaret Jeffreys who nominated him, said he is a friendly and approachable person who never seems to say ‘no’ to anyone.  “I really don’t know what we would do without Terry in our midst,” she said. 

Terry said: “I just really enjoy meeting people and helping them to express their feelings, it is just a joy every day.

“We have to remember that this generation has been brought up on technology and if they can’t see what they are used to, then they don’t believe the church is for them. 

“We have to give them the sort of things they experience every day of their lives.”