Island Life Magazine Ltd December 2007/January 2008 | Page 48

life

SOCIETY

The Resident Judge and colleagues

Isle of Wight Legal Service
On the morning of the 15th
of October the people of
Newport were treated to the
spectacle of four High Sheriffs,
seven County Court judges,
barristers and other members
of the legal profession,
walking in procession in full
regalia to mark the opening
of the legal year. This is
believed to be the largest
number of High Sheriffs and
Judges ever assembled on
the Island. This is a very
ancient ceremony, repeated
in all counties in England.
Police halted traffic, as the
procession moved from the
Law Courts, along Quay Street
to St. Thomas church. A
service was then held, lead by
the High Sheriff ’s Chaplain,

48

the Reverend Michael
Johnston, with accompanying
music from the Ryde School
brass ensemble and choir.
The organisation for this
annual Legal Service falls
to the High Sheriff, Lt
Col David Langford who
explained: “After the service
the High Sheriffs and Judiciary
processed back to the Law

Roger and Jill Mazillius

The Venerable Caroline Baston
(Archdeacon of the Isle of Wight)

Courts, to mark their
official opening. I
then took them off for
a champagne lunch.
They returned to
their duties after that,
feeling, I should think,
full of bonhomie.”

Tony, Jamie and Susie Sheldon

Island Life - www.isleofwight.net