THE START of the new judicial year was marked in Reading on Friday with a dash of spectacle, a touch of razzamatazz, and a sense of history.
Judges and the great and good of Berkshire came together for the annual service at the Minster Church of St Mary The Virgin in St Mary’s Butts.
The event starts with a procession, thankfully much shorter than in the 19th century when it started from Robert Palmer’s home in Sonning. High sheriffs, judges, police cadets, clerks, ushers and bench members wore their ceremonial dress as fanfares announced their arrival at the town centre place of worship.
Also making a grand entrance were borough and town mayors including Cllr Tony Page, the mayor of Reading, and his counterpart, Cllr Beth Rowland, the mayor of Wokingham borough. Cadets and the Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire came next, while the ministry team from the Minster came in last.
In choristers’ robes, the young voices of the Ludgrove School choir performed a moving rendition of the first verse Amazing Grace, joined for the rest of John Newtown’s famous hymn by the Reading Community Gospel Choir.
Welcomes given by the Venerable Stephen Pullin, the archdeacon of Berkshire, and prayers by Minster vicar the Revd Sonya Wratten led into readings first by Simon Muir, the high sheriff of Berkshire.
He read a short extract from a Winston Churchill speech from 1910, before Psalm 127:1-5.
The Revd Nick Hill, the rector of Reading Gateway Church in Whitley, is the chaplain to the high sheriff, and he first interviews Andrez Harriot about his work with The Liminality Group, which helps high-risk and vulnerable children in both community and custodial settings.
Then, after a scripture reading of Luke 19:1-10, Mr Hill gave his sermon, sharing some of his own story, which included being a tearaway at school until he joined the a youth organisation for boys and was taken under the wing of a Christian.
“He told me no one was beyond God’s grace,” he said. “God delights in giving second chances.”
Mr Hill continued: “Giving people second chances is not an easy task, especially for those of you who work in the criminal justice system – you can see the offender reoffend … I believe that early intervention … prevention is a key factor in guiding these children away from crime.”
He also shared the story of a drug addict who had become a Christian while in jail, after having undergone an Alpha course, and reminded people that Archbishop Desmond Tutu was an advocate of restorative justice because it was hopeful: “It believes that even the worst offender could become a better person”.
Reading Community Gospel Choir then sang Together, before the Minster’s associate vicar, the Revd Andrew Bond led prayers. Ludgrove School sang John Rutter’s anthem The Lord Bless You and Keep You, before a blessing and the national anthem.
Hymns included Dear Lord and Father of Mankind, and Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer.
Guests included MP Theresa May, philanthropist Sir John Madejksi, representatives from charities, and spiritual leaders from across Berkshire.
