St Piran's Cross
A new award to commemorate St Piran's Day has been presented by the Bishop of Truro.
The Right Reverend Tim Thornton has introduced the Cross of St Piran to recognise the outstanding service given by lay people across Cornwall.
The first awards ceremony took place at St Piran's Church in Perranzabuloe on Sunday 6 March 2011.
Since his appointment, Bishop Tim has become aware of the outstanding service given by lay people across the Diocese.
He decided to institute a new award, The Cross of St Piran.
Each Deanery Standing Committee was asked to nominate one person for the award.
In all, 22 people were nominated for their selfless work: ranging from bell-ringing to making breakfasts for the homeless, from supporting the deaf community in Cornwall to building up lay ministry or, as in one case, simply playing the church organ for over 60 years!
Bishop Tim said: "The recipients come in different shapes and sizes, but they each share one important gift - the gift of imagination.
"We all need to pray for the gift of imagination in our lives today and to be inspired by the examples of St Piran and the recipients of this award."
Those awarded the prize include Norman Cowling who has been involved in the church for all of his life. He has rung in every tower in the diocese of Truro and Exeter.
Basil Cleave received the St Piran's cross for the outstanding service that he has given to St Mary's Wadebridge and indeed to the whole parish of Wadebridge over many years. He has been a churchwarden for a very long time.
On the Isles of Scilly Eve Cooper was nominated to receive the award for her work in thechurch and community of Tresco for the past 30 years.
Terry Duke has spent many years as the churchwarden of St Stephen's Church Launceston. His membership of the Servers' Guild, his work as Thurifer, his bell ringing and many other pieces of work and activities that he does are much appreciated.
Warren Nicholls has received the St Piran's Cross for his 45 years as a Reader. He has worked tirelessly as a District and Town Councillor for Lostwithiel.
Warren has worked for the communities at Tywardreath, Par, St Blazey and Lanlivery and is still working very hard to obtain grants for the village hall at Tywardreath.
Each Cross of St Piran was hand made from Cornish silver by Martha Edwards from Sennen, based on a design by the Revd Ann Butcher.