‘Give them courage, compassion, wisdom, skill’: Service honours legal profession

SERVICE: Members of the judiciary in the procession to St Mary’s Church, Beverley

By Simon Bristow

A service to honour, praise, and give thanks to the legal profession in Hull and the East Riding has been held at St Mary’s Church in Beverley.

The event, on Sunday, was hosted by Richard Shepherdson, the High Sheriff of the East Riding, and led by his Chaplain, the Reverend Stuart Grant, also Vicar of the Parish Church of Driffield All Saints.

The service was preceded by a procession from Coronation Gardens led by Humberside Police Concert Band.

Following a welcome by the Reverend Becky Lumley, Vicar of St Mary’s, the packed church sang the processional hymn, Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer.

The chaplain then addressed the congregation, saying: “We have gathered to commend to God’s grace all who serve and administer justice in this county; that they might be given courage, compassion, wisdom, skill, and honour, knowing that they are servants, above all, of God’s justice.

“We commend to God’s healing those who are victims of lawlessness, and to his reforming power those convicted of their offences.”

LEADING THE WAY: Humberside Police Concert Band

The first lesson, Philippians 4:8-11 from the New Testament, was read by His Honour Judge John Thackray QC, Honorary Recorder of Hull and the East Riding, and Resident Judge Humberside.

The congregation then rose to sing Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven.

The High Sheriff read the second lesson, also from the New Testament, which was The Parable of the Good Samaritan [Luke 10:25-37].

The High Sheriff reflected on his year in office, which is due to end in three weeks, and gave thanks to those working in the legal profession, the Armed Forces, the police, the prison service, charitable and voluntary organisations, and others.

His office had, he said, raised and distributed more than £60,000 to good causes during his tenure.

Mr Shepherdson also noted proudly that the county’s courts were delivering the most timely disposals in the country.

Judge Thackray addressed the congregation again, thanking the High Sheriff for his “hard work and generosity over the last 12 months”.

THANKS AND PRAISE: Members of the region’s legal profession filing into church

The judge said: “In these difficult times, commitment to public service and serving one’s community is, of course, more important than ever. I can say without hesitation that the High Sheriff could not have been more committed to his role.

“His hard work and dedication is an example to us all.”

The formality of the occasion did not preclude a moment of humour, with Judge Thackray addressing the High Sheriff directly to say: “Richard, you have put people at ease, and that’s no easy task carrying a very large sword.”

The service also included a Sermon by the Chaplain, further hymns, and prayers, in which the people of Ukraine were remembered.

The congregation stood to sing The National Anthem to the accompaniment of the police band, and remained standing as the recession left church, which after the Vicar of St Mary’s and High Sheriff’s Chaplain, was led by the Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of the East Riding, Jim Dick OBE.

He had been the last member of the procession to enter church.

The annual service was not held last year because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The office of the High Sheriff is more than 1,000 years old, and is the oldest secular office under the Crown.