To receive and consider the recommendations of the Cabinet (Minute 319 (b)) as an amendment to the following Notice of Motion submitted previously to the Council by Councillor Way and referred thereto in accordance with Standing Order 8(2), namely:
There is increasing interest in Crediton-born Winfrith, who became Saint Boniface, being recognised as Patron Saint of Devon. The Boniface Link Association is a secular organisation campaigning for the adoption of Boniface as Patron Saint of Devon. With links to Fulda in Germany and Dokkum in Holland, this initiative has gained letters of support from many churches and prominent civic figures from across the county.
Devon’s most famous native-born saint, Boniface was born in the Crediton area circa 680AD. He is highly regarded for his missionary work across a large part of Europe. A significant historical figure he is often referred to as the First European. He studied at the monastery at Exeter, then at the monastery at Nursling, near Southampton.
In 716 he set sail to convert the tribes in Frisia (now Friesland) in the Netherlands to Christianity. Subsequent work in Frisia and Hesse gave him a reputation as an outstanding missionary and administrator. In 722, Pope Gregory made him Bishop of all Germany East of the Rhine. Much of his later work laid the foundations of Charlemagne’s Holy Roman Empire 50 years later. In 754 he was martyred at Dokkum and buried at Fulda in Hesse.
The national shine to Boniface is at the Roman Catholic church at Crediton and the many references to him in Crediton’s Parish church attract visitors to the town. A blue plaque can be seen at Tolleys, Crediton traditionally regarded as his birth place. An impressive statue of St Boniface is located at Newcombes Meadow.
Proud of Devon’s heritage and recognising Boniface as a significant historic figure this Council supports the initiative to adopt Saint Boniface as Patron Saint of Devon.
Having had regard to the aforementioned, any factual briefing/position statement on the matter set out in Report (CSO/19/9) and other suggestions or alternatives considered at that meeting the Cabinet subsequently resolved that the Council:
(a) note the work of the Boniface Link Association (Crediton) and also the mechanism by which Boniface is honoured in the national church calendar on 5th June;
(b) note the anticipated announcement by the Bishop of Exeter about an initiative that honours and commemorates St Boniface; and
(c) supports the work of the Boniface Link Association in working towards the adoption of St Boniface as the patron saint of Devon and in line with the letters of support received from the Bishop of Plymouth, Bishop of Exeter, Senior Pastor at Crediton Congregational Church, Crediton Methodist Church and Rector of the Orthodox Parish of the Holy Prophet Elias, also lends it support to the Notice of Motion.
Minutes:
Pursuant to County Council Minute 187 of 21 February 2019 relating to the Notice of Motion set out below as previously submitted and formally moved and seconded by Councillor Way that:
There is increasing interest in Crediton-born Winfrith, who became Saint Boniface, being recognised as Patron Saint of Devon. The Boniface Link Association is a secular organisation campaigning for the adoption of Boniface as Patron Saint of Devon. With links to Fulda in Germany and Dokkum in Holland, this initiative has gained letters of support from many churches and prominent civic figures from across the county.
Devon’s most famous native-born saint, Boniface was born in the Crediton area circa 680AD. He is highly regarded for his missionary work across a large part of Europe. A significant historical figure he is often referred to as the First European. He studied at the monastery at Exeter, then at the monastery at Nursling, near Southampton.
In 716 he set sail to convert the tribes in Frisia (now Friesland) in the Netherlands to Christianity. Subsequent work in Frisia and Hesse gave him a reputation as an outstanding missionary and administrator. In 722, Pope Gregory made him Bishop of all Germany East of the Rhine. Much of his later work laid the foundations of Charlemagne’s Holy Roman Empire 50 years later. In 754 he was martyred at Dokkum and buried at Fulda in Hesse.
The national shine to Boniface is at the Roman Catholic church at Crediton and the many references to him in Crediton’s Parish church attract visitors to the town. A blue plaque can be seen at Tolleys, Crediton traditionally regarded as his birth place. An impressive statue of St Boniface is located at Newcombes Meadow.
Proud of Devon’s heritage and recognising Boniface as a significant historic figure this Council supports the initiative to adopt Saint Boniface as Patron Saint of Devon.
and having had regard to the advice of the Cabinet set out in Minute 319 (b) of 13 March 2019, the Council:
(a) note the work of the Boniface Link Association (Crediton) and also the mechanism by which Boniface is honoured in the national church calendar on 5th June;
(b) note the anticipated announcement by the Bishop of Exeter about an initiative that honours and commemorates St Boniface; and
(c) supports the work of the Boniface Link Association in working towards the adoption of St Boniface as the patron saint of Devon and in line with the letters of support received from the Bishop of Plymouth, Bishop of Exeter, Senior Pastor at Crediton Congregational Church, Crediton Methodist Church and Rector of the Orthodox Parish of the Holy Prophet Elias, also lends it support to the Notice of Motion.
Councillor Hart MOVED and Councillor McInnes SECONDED that the Cabinet’s advice be accepted, as outlined above and that the Council lends it support to the work of the Boniface Link Association.
The Cabinet’s recommendation in the name of Councillor Hart was then put to the vote and declared CARRIED and subsequently thereafter also CARRIED as the substantive motion.