Recognition of Brian Allard’s 50 years service as Verger at Christ Church
On Sunday 18th January 2004, on the 51st anniversary as verger, Brian Allard was presented with a certificate to commemorate his fifty years service as verger at Christ Church.
Brian is shown here being congratulated by the Rev. Ruth Lambert (Curate), Edmund & Janet Stacey (Church Wardens) and Peter Hodson (Christ Church PCC Secretary).
Our congratulations go to Brian and his wife Joan on this achievement.
(Click on images to enlarge)
Commendation
The commendation read by Rev Ruth Lambert was as follows:
"Today is 51 years since Brian was appointed to be Verger of Christ Church Mountsorrel.
Brian has a remarkable record of service to both church and the community. In 1953, as a teenager, he was appointed to be Verger. I doubt if many teenagers would know what a verger is!
Brian was secretary of Christ Church PCC for 35 years from 1964 to 1999. From 1964 to date he has served first Christ Church and then St.Peter’s as Independent Examiner of the Finances.
Brian has been a member of Akeley East Deanery Synod and Leicester Diocesan Synod since 1972 to date. Unfortunately we missed his 30 years anniversary two years ago. He has been secretary of Akeley East Deanery Synod since 1982 to date.
In the wider field of Leicester Diocese; since 1978 Brian has been a member of the Bishop’s Council and at various times has also served on the Board of Finance, the Property Committee, the Pastoral Committee, Clergy Housing Committee, Vacancy in See Committee, Board of Patronage and Archdeaconry of Loughborough Pastoral Committee.
Within the community of Mountsorrel Brian has been a Councillor on Mountsorrel Parish Council since 1964. Therefore, that will be 40 years to celebrate in May! He has been chairman of Mountsorrel Parish Council for three periods of time totalling 16 years and still counting. Since 1967 Brian has been a Governor of Christ Church and St.Peter’s Church of England (Controlled) Primary School, and within this he is chairman of the Local Management of Schools Committee.
Brian has long service and is currently chairman of Mountsorrel United Charities, Mountsorrel Education Fund, Mountsorrel Church of England fund which he helped to create and Mountsorrel Castledines Almshouses. There are various dates but the earliest are, Trustee of United Charities in 1966 and chairman of the Education Fund in 1982
Brian is also Independent Examiner to Loughborough Good News Centre, Mountsorrel branch of the Royal British legion and Mountsorrel Townswomen’s Guild."
Pictures
Here are some pictures of Brian (standing in front of the communion rail made by his father), with the certificate, and also the pen which was presented to him in July 2003:
(Click on images to enlarge)
Community Service
Brian has been, and continues to be an active member of both the church and the local community. A list of some of the positions that Brian has held, or currently holds are as follows:
- Secretary Christ Church PCC, Mountsorrel April 1964 to April 1999 (35 years)
- Verger Christ church, Mountsorrel, 18th January 1953 to present (50+ years)
- Member, Akeley East Deanery Synod, Diocese of Leicester, May 1972 to date
- Secretary, Akeley East Deanery Synod, Diocese of Leicester, June 1982 to date
- Member of Diocese board of Finance, Diocesan Property Committee, Diocesan Pastoral
- Committee, Diocese of Leicester, during periods between 1982 and 2002
- Diocesan Synod, Diocese of Leicester, member August 1972 to date
- Bishop’s Council, Diocese of Leicester, member December 1978 to date
- Currently member of the Diocesan Clergy Housing Committee, Archdeaconry of
- Loughborough Pastoral Committee, Vacancy in See Committee
- Member Diocesan Board of Patronage August 1990 to date
- Councillor Mountsorrel Parish Council, May 1964 to date
- Chairman Mountsorrel Parish Council, May 1974 - May 77, May 1984 - May 88, May 1995 - date
- Awarded the Mountsorrel Parish Council Certificate of Merit in 1988
- Trustee Mountsorrel United Charities March 1966 to date, Chairman of the Trustees October 1989 to date
- Chairman Mountsorrel Relief in Need Charity
- Trustee Mountsorrel Educational Fund Charity, March 1968 to date, Chairman of the
- Trustees October 1982 to date
- Trustee Mountsorrel Church of England Fund Charity, September 1993 to date, Chairman of the Trustees September 1993 to date
- Manager or Governor Mountsorrel Christ Church & St. Peter’s C of E (Controlled) Primary School, November 1967 to date,
- Chairman of the Local management of Schools Committee, November 1991 to date.
- Independent Examiner to Christ Church, Mountsorrel PCC April 1964 to April 1986
- Independent Examiner to St Peter’s, Mountsorrel PCC April 1987 to date
- Independent Examiner to Loughborough Good News Centre, April 1998 to date
- Independent Examiner to Mountsorrel branch Royal British Legion
- Independent Examiner to Mountsorrel Townswomen’s Guild
