A ROSS man was honoured in last week’s Queen’s Jubilee Honours for his work in recording and streaming church services to the community in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

Mark Sanderson, 60, was awarded a Medallist of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) in the Queen’s Jubilee Honours List “for services to the community in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire”.

Mr Sanderson has been director of music at St Mary’s Parish Church for the past 27 years, and has also worked as a computer consultant for Herefordshire Council, where he promoted the use of technology in primary schools in the county.

During the pandemic, he created an online platform for people to access church services and other church events in Ross-on-Wye, and used QR codes to allow people to download services and make prayer requests.

Mr Sanderson also worked to train the clergy to make use of the streaming technology available and said many elderly parishioners continued to use the online services even after lockdown restrictions were lifted.

He told the BBC he felt lucky to have been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, saying there had been “lots of people working away quietly who also are also deserving”, and describing the honour as “quite humbling”.

A St Mary’s spokesperson said: “Thank you for all you have done, and all you continue to do.”

As the Jubilee honours were announced, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “This historic Platinum Jubilee is not only a celebration of the monarch but of the qualities she possesses. The honours she confers this week reflect many of those qualities that have been invaluable from all different walks of life and to communities across the UK.

“I pay tribute to all of this year’s winners. Their stories of courage and compassion are an inspiration to us all.”