Around 800 people attended this year’s Suffolk Justice Service at St Edmundsbury Cathedral in Bury St Edmunds today.
Suffolk’s High Sheriff, Geoffrey Probert, invited representatives of many of the county’s charities to attend, along with judges, solicitors, and emergency services personnel.
On a bitterly cold afternoon, a procession took place from the Athenaeum into the cathedral, arriving for a 3.30pm service.
Among the many guests was the sheriff of Suffolk County in Massachusetts, USA, who accepted an invitation to attend.
Steven Tompkins spent time visiting Highpoint and Hollesley prisons and the police prior to the ceremony.
The High Sheriff has traditionally provided support for the administration of justice in the county, but the modern role extends into a close relationship with the fast-growing voluntary sector in Suffolk.
During his year in office, Mr Probert has visited numerous voluntary organisations as well as those committed to justice and many of the volunteers and others involved were invited to the service.
Mr Probert said: “The service is an important opportunity in the annual calendar for all of Suffolk to come together to recognise those who serve the county in Justice and in so many other ways.”
Philip Banks, residentiary canon at the cathedral, said: “Each year at the county’s Justice Service we pray for and say thank you to all in Suffolk who seek to maintain Godly values of justice and fair dealings which make for a healthy society and strong communities.
“We especially thank this year’s High Sheriff for his tireless work in supporting so many statutory and voluntary organisations across the county.”
The speaker at this year’s service was Andrew Caldecott QC.
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