Lord-Lieutenant’s Service of Thanksgiving for voluntary organisations
Wednesday, 25 May 2022
Over 350 people from across Bedfordshire came together at St Mary’s Church, Luton on Sunday 22 May 2022 to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Attendees also gave thanks for the work of the voluntary organisations in Bedfordshire.
HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Helen Nellis, accompanied by her husband Professor Joe Nellis, and supported by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Chris Sharwood-Smith MBE and her seven Lord-Lieutenant Cadets, welcomed High Sheriff of Bedfordshire Lady Jane Clifford and Sir Timothy Clifford, the Bishop of Bedford The Rt Rev Richard Atkinson OBE, Clerk to the Lieutenancy Marcel Coiffait and Mrs Sarah Coiffait, MP for Luton South Rachel Hopkins, Chief Fire Officer Andrew Hopkinson, representation from Bedfordshire Police, Town mayors and representatives of countywide organisations and armed forces personnel.
Guests were welcomed on arrival with a Guard of Honour from various cadet units in the county and colourful vibrant carnival costumes. Deputy lieutenants were on hand to usher guests to their seats on arrival.
The Lord-Lieutenant and her party were led into the service by the Bedford Pipe Band. The service was led by the Revd Mike Jones and the address and blessing was given by the Bishop of Bedford The Rt Rev Richard Atkinson OBE. The Royal British Legion County Standard was presented during the first hymn and two of the Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets presented the Lieutenancy flag and the Bedfordshire flag.
The Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets read prayers during the service, which featured music from the Vauxhall Male Voice Choir and Voices with Soul, and readings by Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bedfordshire Professor Rebecca Bunting, David Jonathan MBE from Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service winners Luton Council of Faiths and Virginia Pope from Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service winners Sharnbrook Mill Theatre.
Organist Roy Meek played Vidor’s Toccata as the Lord-Lieutenant’s procession left the church.
Speaking after the service the Lord-Lieutenant, Helen Nellis, said:
It was incredible to bring together the wonderful people who play such key roles in helping Bedfordshire to thrive. The church was filled with goodwill and cheer, and it was a pleasure to share the day with our outstanding neighbours who are building a culture of kindness and cohesion in our county.
I was thrilled that we honoured HM The Queen and her 70 years of dedication in a respectful but uniquely Bedfordshire way. The variety of high-quality music, readings and visual effects added to the ambience. The warm welcome by the Luton Carnival, our well-organised procession being piped in by the Bedford Pipe Band, the glorious singing of the Vauxhall Male Voice Choir, the exceptional and deeply moving Amazing Grace by Voices with Soul, the thought-provoking readings, prayers and address by the Bishop, along with the magnificent Jubilee flowers and the perfectly chosen photographs of HM and the Royal family, meant that for all who were in attendance, this will surely be a service they will never forget.