A FORMER verger at three York churches has revealed how he will receive Maundy Money from the Queen next month – but nearly missed out on the experience.

David Brown, 71, of Marygate, said he almost threw his invitation in the bin when it arrived in the post. “I thought somebody was messing me about at first,” he said.

“When I realised it was genuine, I was gobsmacked!”

Mr Brown is one of 86 men and 86 women – one for each year the Queen has been alive – who will be presented with Maundy Money at York Minster on Thursday April 5.

He was nominated by the Venerable Richard Seed, who is the rector of Holy Trinity Church in Micklegate as well as being Archdeacon of York, for his voluntary work as a verger for about 13 years at Holy Trinity, and also at St Martin cum Gregory, a now redundant church, also in Micklegate, and at St Mary’s Church in nearby Bishophill, which dates back to Saxon times.

He said he was helped in the work by his late wife Maureen. “I put crosses up at Easter and cribs at Christmas and also looked after Jacob’s Well, a medieval building in Trinity Lane which is used for functions,” he said.

He added that on April 5, he had been asked to join other recipients at the Assembly Rooms before processing through to the Minster for the service.

His daughter Tracey, who said he had been ‘over the moon’ to receive the invitation, said she would be attending the event.

At the request of the Queen, recipients from the York diocese will be joined by people from all over the United Kingdom at the event, which comes as the monarch celebrates her Diamond Jubilee and as York celebrates the 800th anniversary of being granted a Royal charter by King John.

• Are you, or is your relative, receiving Maundy Money at the Minster? Phone Mike Laycock on 01904 567132 or email mike.laycock@thepress.co.uk