East Lancashire Masonic Charity

Maundy Money

This is a photo of Eileen Thompson, one of our widows, with her Maundy Money that she received from the Queen when she visited Manchester Cathedral.

Eileen received a Red Purse containing a £5 Coin celebrating the Diamond Wedding Anniversary of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, and a White Purse containing newly minted Maundy Coins Totalling exactly 81p.

In Total 81 men and 81 Women, the number chosen in line to match the age of the monarch.

Eileen was nominated by the Dean of Manchester Cathedral, where she attends, and has dedicated decades to singing in the church.  Her Husband, Eddie Thompson, was an active member of Caledonian Lodge No 204 in Manchester until his death, and also a founder member of the ‘Provincial Choir’.  Eileen regularly attends all ELMC parties, including the Broken Column Dinner and the weeks holiday in Llandudno.

When the envelope from the Queen arrived, being partly sighted, she thought it was just junk mail and nearly threw the letter away, only to be stopped from doing it by one of her neighbours. In her time, she was a leading lady singer at many shows in and around Manchester, which her husband as conductor.

Eileen now sings with the Alkington Townswomens Guild in Middleton.  She said about the award, ‘’It was a very moving experience to be at the cathedral and it made you extremely proud to be British.  It was such a wonderful day’