Shrieval Service – October 5th 2025
09/10/2025
By 2025 Helen Bowden
The Shrieval Service is an important date in the High Sheriff calendar. The thanksgiving service at Hereford Cathedral, brings together all areas of the judicial services; judges, magistrates, probation officers and police service. It is an opportunity to come together to recognise the collective service they perform supported ably by the voluntary sector, and reinforcing the High Sheriff’s role as a supporter of the Constitution and a connector of diverse community members.
I was particularly honoured to welcome Sir Andrew MacFarlane, President of the Family Division, and Head of Family Justice and also Ms. Justice Sonia Harris who was appointed Family Presiding Judge for the Midland Circuit, with effect from October 1, 2025. We had a fascinating discussion before the service around the FDAC courts in particular and how some of the learnings from this could perhaps be brought into other areas of the court system as well as the new open reporting provision in the family court which Sir Andrew has said is a watershed moment. He emphasised the importance of improving public understanding and confidence in the Family Court system.
The service was also attended by those who support their work in so many areas, right across the spectrum of charities and volunteers. For me as High Sheriff the occasion marked my halfway point in my year of service. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting so many of those at the service, from food banks to community hubs, boxing gyms to alternative education provisions, mental health to working with youngsters in care and young carers. There are so many individuals going the extra mile.
I was thrilled to invite some of the special young people I have met to contribute to the Service, including Emily Pritchard, Turning Point volunteer mentor, Yasmin Alam from the Hereford City Youth Council, Molly Davies, a police cadet and Codie Jones a diocesian youth worker; they all read bidding prayers so beautifully (put my reading to shame!). Thank you also to Judge Martin Jackson and Sue Furnival, Chair of the Bench, for their readings.
A highlight of the service was the sermon from the Revd. David Bland which was so on point and emphasised the role each of us can play to contribute to constructively enhancing life chances for those on the edge – David and his wife, Kathy, are exemplary role models in this regard.
I am indebted, as ever, to Dean Sarah and the team at the Cathedral for making the Service so special, as well as the choir for their uplifting contribution. The service is full of tradition which we absolutely respected but my Chaplain Rev Angie Kately and Succentor Revd Dr Jonathan Roberts shaped it beautifully to reflect some of my personal interests with the bidding prayers and hymn choices. A word also for the band of previous and upcoming High Sheriff’s who turned out in force together with the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire, Nat Hone, for guiding me in the right direction. After the Service, my willing volunteers (friends and colleagues from Orphans and eighteen73) went above and beyond to serve refreshments. And a thank you to Gerry Matthews, our photographer for the day, who I think enjoyed corralling together all the judges in their fine robes for a group picture in the Cloister Garden.
A memorable day I was privileged to be part of. Thanks to everyone who attended and supported and, finally, a heartfelt thank you to Thomas Bagley, Under Sheriff, for his hard work in coordinating the event.
