In 2005 on the 1300th Anniversary of the consecration of St Aldhelm as the first Bishop in this part of Wessex, Bishop David Stancliffe established a diocesan award, the Cross of St Aldhelm to give to people whose contribution to the life of the Church and the Diocese goes far beyond the normal call of duty.
The award is presented to a small number of Church members who have made an especially significant contribution to the shared life of the Diocese.
Gary’s citation reads
Gary has served his church and community in many ways over the last 50-plus years. He has been Churchwarden for Wyke Regis Parish for 24 years, a scout leader and an Assistant or Deputy District Commissioner for 44 years, a school governor( 11 years) and a Chair of Governors (7 Years) at a large (part church) federated primary school. He has also been chair or trustee of a number of Weymouth-based charities.
It is, however, his work in setting up and moderating an online forum to support, encourage and advise churchwardens in the Diocese and nationwide that is particularly worthy of mention. In these times when it is increasingly difficult to find new churchwardens and ensure existing churchwardens are kept updated and valued the national Facebook group Gary started benefits its approximately 3000 members with resources and peer support.
Gary Hepburn is a business owner, consultant and company director. He has held senior positions in public, private and multi-national companies, a company group pension fund the NHS and Police Authority. Gary is involved in many voluntary and charitable organisations including Coram Life Education, Life Education Wessex and Thames Valley, The Scout Association, Weymouth Town Charities, Weymouth Carnival as well as being a governor at a school federation and churchwarden at his local church. Gary’s interests are mental health, pre hospital emergency care, resuscitation, medical training, health & safety, fire safety, and health prevention and health and well-being education.