Ray Tilbrook honoured with Etheldreda Medal
Ray Tilbrook from Little Wilbraham(Here pictured at 2017 Village Show) has been awarded the Bishop of Ely’s Etheldreda Medal in recognition of his outstanding work in his community. The award is to be presented at the Evensong Service in the Cathedral on October 17th when a further fifteen people from across the Diocese of Ely will be similarly honoured. However, as Ray is recovering from a stay in hospital, it seems unlikely that he will be well enough to attend the ceremony and the Bishop will be presenting it to him personally at home
The award has come as a complete surprise to Ray and his wife Susan.
The Bishop awards the medal every other year and he looks for exceptional people whose good works have not yet been recognised. For many people this will be about the duration and persistence of their good works, or for others it could be for a short yet extraordinary act of kindness.
Short biographies of this year’s winners appears on the Diocese of Ely’s website. Ray’s entry reads as follows:
“Raymond has been a tremendous inspiration to many both in the Church in Little Wilbraham and the wider community of this village. He has lived in Little Wilbraham since his early teens. He has served both Churches, as Secretary and Church Warden among other tasks and the community as member and Chair of the Parish Council for many years. One person writes ‘Raymond’s dedication to his village is inspirational. His length of service a long term commitment. It sets a model that many should follow’.”