Prayer Book 350th Anniversary campaign for coin and stamp
From People are being urged to back a campaign calling on the Royal Mint and Royal Mail to recognise the 350th anniversary of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer by issuing a special coin and stamp.
Although the anniversary is not until 2012, the Prayer Book Society (PBS) said it needed supporters to act now as choices for commemorative coins and stamps were made long before the actual event.
The charity, which campaigns for the continued use of Archbishop Thomas Cranmer's famous 1662 prayer book, is asking people to help by contacting the Royal Mint and Royal Mail.
The Book of Common Prayer has been used in Anglican churches since the Reformation, and is still used regularly for services in cathedrals and churches throughout England despite more modern versions.
PBS chairman Prudence Dailey said: "The Book of Common Prayer is of immeasurable historical and cultural significance to the English speaking world.
"This is therefore a significant anniversary and we hope that people will join our campaign to recognise its importance in the history of the nation."
Trevor Butler, PBS press officer, said: "We are told that while the Royal Mint is always pleased to receive new ideas for commemorative themes, only a very limited number of United Kingdom commemorative coins are issued each year and a great deal of effort goes into the selection of appropriate themes.
"Chosen anniversaries invariably relate to significant royal occasions or the commemoration of major moments in British history.
"Let's overwhelm the Royal Mail with requests to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, perhaps featuring a picture of Archbishop Cranmer holding his famous book."
Although the PBS acknowledges 2012 is an important year with the Olympics and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, it asks supporters to write to Joseph Payne at the Royal Mint and Russell Hawkins at the Royal Mail and suggest the prayer book's anniversary is marked.
They could suggest alternative images for the commemorative stamp and coin, or just add their voice to the overall campaign, the charity said.
Assistant curator Mr Payne can be reached by email at joseph.payne@royalmint.gov.uk or by post at The Royal Mint, Llantrisant, Pontyclun, CF72 8YT.
Mr Hawkins is the merchandising and category manager of stamps at the Royal Mail, and can be reached by writing to Royal Mail, Stamps and Philatelic Royal Mail Centre, First Floor, 35-50, Rathbone Place, London, W1T 1HQ.
The Prayer Book Society exists to promote and preserve the use of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer and ensure it is available to future generations. The 1662 book is the traditional service book of the Church of England, and it contains the Church's historic beliefs. For more information visit www.pbs.org.uk.
IMAGE of a stamp mock-up is available to download at www.tb-pr.com/files
Click on Prayer350
MORE information from Prudence Dailey, PBS Chairman, prudence.dailey@pbs.org.uk
Trevor Butler, PBS Press Officer, Tel: 0118 – 984 2582
PBS website: www.pbs.org.uk
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