A FRIAR from Dorset has been given an award from the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Brother Samuel SSF, a Guardian at the Hilfield Friary, near Dorchester, has been given the Dunstan Award for Prayer and the Religious Life.

The Franciscan friar has been rewarded as part of The Lambeth Awards, an annual event recognising outstanding service.

Brother Samuel was presented with the award last week during a ceremony held at Lambeth Palace.

The award is made from Fairtrade silver by Cred Jewellery.

Brother Samuel is Guardian at Hilfield Friary and has been a Franciscan friar for 42 years.

He has served in Liverpool, Manchester, Cambridge, Zimbabwe and the Soloman Islands.

Brother Samuel has been Novice Guardian for the European Province of the Anglican Franciscans, Guardian of various Franciscan Houses and Minister Provincial.

Upon receiving the news that he won the award, he said: “I burst out laughing when I received the award – what have I done to deserve this?

“But I’m honoured to receive it as a sign of Archbishop Justin’s commitment to the life of prayer in the Church and the renewal of religious community life.”

Brother Samuel has spent the past 10 years re-visioning the life and work of Hilfield Friary.

It is now a mixed community of professed religious brothers and lay men and women, young, old, married and single.

The Friary has focused on living in an ecologically sustainable way following St Francis’ vision of creation.

Those at The Friary have shared that wisdom with those who have visited.

The Rt Revd Nicholas Holtam, Bishop of Salisbury, said Brother Samuel was a worthy recipient of the award and he was delighted to hear he had been recognised.

The Most Revd Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury said: “The recipients come from many walks of life and many parts of the world, but all have served in their fields with distinction and self-sacrificial service, going beyond the call of duty."