Veteran St John the Baptist Cathedral altar server Geoffrey Sword was presented with a Diocesan Medal on Sunday (July 14) by Bishop Peter Collins to mark over 30 years of service.
Geoffrey arrived in Norwich in 1980 and was a regular attender at the Cathedral. He first started helping by clearing the Sanctuary and, after several weeks, was asked to serve.
He became a regular attender and served whenever he could, especially after he retired, when he served almost every day he was there.
Bishop Peter said: “Geoffrey was always willing and conscientious whatever role he was asked to carry out. After over 30 years serving, he finally retired at his final Mass on St Stephen’s Day 2023.
“Geoffrey is also an excellent artist and some of his sketches of the cathedral adorn the corridors of Cathedral House. When not serving in the Sanctuary, Geoffrey could often be found serving in the cathedral bookshop or volunteering in the Narthex café.”
Pictured above is Geoffrey Sword with his Diocesan Medal and certificate and, below, being presented with them by Bishop Peter Collins and Cathedral Dean Fr Alan Hodgson.
