The High Sheriff's Justice Service 2017

I was honoured to host The High Sheriff’s Justice Service in St Albans Cathedral yesterday morning. The Cathedral looked splendid in the November sunshine and it was fitting for such a glorious occasion.

The service brings together all those who administer law and order and those who work or serve in a voluntary capacity to prevent offending behaviour, protect our society, provide support for those who need it or contribute in other ways to help make Hertfordshire a county of opportunity for all.

In the presence of the Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire the congregation enjoyed early choral music, performed by the magnificent Cathedral Choir under the leadership of Master of Music Andrew Lucas, well known hymns and traditional prayers and readings. We were also fantastically entertained by The Purcell School Brass Ensemble, who performed two fanfares to mark the entrances of the High Sheriff’s Procession and the Cathedral Procession. The students were quite exceptional and made the occasion even more memorable.

Given the theme of my year is volunteering, I was also delighted to invite voluntary organisations from around the county to participate in the Civic Procession, many coming in traditional costume or uniform. Thank you to all.

I’d also like to thank the St Albans Police Cadets for all their help on the day, including their Head Cadet, Jamie Head, who acted as my swordbearer and 3 Company Beds and Herts Army Cadets for providing a guard of honour after the service.

A very special thank you to The Bishop of St Albans and The Dean of St Albans for their support and guidance, and the entire team at the Cathedral who provided so much assistance on the day. Also my Chaplain, The Revd Michele du Saire for preaching a wonderful sermon on the theme of ‘Volunteering and Giving’. And finally a thank you to the previous High Sheriff’s and High Sheriff’s in Nomination who acted as Ushers during the service.

Such a great occasion would not have been possible were it not for the support of our extremely generous sponsors, advertisers and supporters. A huge thank you as follows:

Advertisers:

Britvic

Charles Farris

Edinburgh House

John Cullen Lighting

Jordans Dorset Ryvita Co.

McMullen & Sons

Meltons

Mercer and Hole

Micklefield Hall

Parsons Green Land

Renaissance: St Albans

Salamander Pumps

Soane Britain

Strutt and Parker

The Entertainer

Weatherbys Private Bank

Supporters:

Annie Brewster

David Cansdale

Ritchie Charlton at Alexander McQueen

Connie Constantine

Geoffrey and Jane Gestetner

Simon Hoare

Henry Holland-Hibbert

Lulu Lytle

Morton and Cecilia Neal

Tony Quayle

Jamie and Anna Rankin

Edward and Richard Rowlandson of RO Group

Richard Simpson

Jeremy Stuart-Smith

The Green Bottle Trust

Rumi Verjee

Dione and Johnny Verulam

More photos to follow in due course!