High Sheriff's Justice Service

The High Sheriff of Hertfordshire’s Justice Service takes place in November each year in the glorious surroundings of St Albans Cathedral. Here are some photos to give you a flavour of the events of the day.

St Albans Museum + Gallery

The day began with the Lord-Lieutenant, Judges from the Court of Appeal and the High Court, other members of the Judiciary and the bar, Magistrates, the Chief Constable and Chief Fire Officer, Police & Crime Commissioner, the St John Ambulance County President, legal officers from the Crown Prosecution Service, Hertfordshire University and Law Society meeting up in the St Albans Museum + Gallery to process through the Christmas market streets to the Cathedral.

Visiting High Sheriffs from Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Rutland and Staffordshire formed part of the group.

As High Sheriff, I was accompanied by my Swordbearer, Chaplain and Police Cadets, and the procession was led by my Under Sheriff, Richard Taylor, and Deputy Under Sheriff, Chris Pease.

Photos of the visiting High Sheriffs and Judges were taken in the Old Courtroom at the Museum, which normally houses the Café. Apparently there have never been so many Judges in attendance before!

St Albans Cathedral

On arrival in the Cathedral, a photo was taken of the High Sheriff’s Procession before we followed the Civic Procession into the Nave, with the Cathedral Procession bringing up the rear.

Chief Constable Charlie Hall and HHJ Trower gave the readings, the High Sheriff’s Chaplain Rev John Chitham preached a wonderful sermon, and the High Sheriff and her family led the prayers.

The music was superb, with the Choir singing a beautiful anthem, and a trumpet fanfare at the entry of the High Sheriff and before we rose to sing the National Anthem to our new King.

At the end of the service, the congregation was invited to refreshments in the Nave after the three processions had left. More photos were taken of the High Sheriff with the Lord-Lieutenant, police and army cadets.