A Day of Civic Services

The Oxfordshire Shrievalty was out in force today, representing the High Sheriff at three civic services across the county. Sadly, we couldn’t quite manage them all – apologies to the Mayor of Banbury, whose invitation clashed, though the invitation from Bicester had arrived first.

It was an early start in Henley-on-Thames, gathering at the Town Hall at 9.00am before processing to St Mary’s for a really lovely Eucharist service in the presence of Deputy Lieutenant David Woodgate. The rain held off – just – and we were warmly welcomed by Councillor Tom Buckley, serving as Mayor of Henley for 2025/26. Originally from Belfast, Tom and his wife Claire have made Henley their home since 2017, settling on Greys Road.

The service was led by Father Jeremy Tayler, Rector of St Mary’s Henley with St Nicholas Remenham since 2018. Jeremy has a fascinating background – from Bristol and Lincolnshire roots, through studies at the LSE, to a career in research administration, and even stints as a religious studies teacher and nursery nurse in Finland. He and the congregation created a truly uplifting service, enriched by St Mary’s extraordinary choral tradition, which has filled the church’s soaring spaces with music for nearly a millennium.

From Henley, it was on to Bicester for the afternoon, where the Deputy Lieutenant, Miranda Markham, took the salute from Bicester Garrison. The parade moved a little faster than expected as the rain began to beat down, but that only hastened our arrival at St Edburg’s for a wonderful service led by the Revd Peter Wright. Peter has become a good friend of mine in recent months – a Croydon-born priest who studied in Exeter, worked on Tyneside and in London, and has now been rooted in Bicester for two decades.

It was excellent to spend time with the young people of Bicester Air Cadets and the 1st Bicester Scout Group, who paraded with great pride alongside the Garrison. My thanks to Mayor Alisa Russell for the kind invitation and to all those who hosted us so generously afterwards in Garth Park. I’m fairly sure I sampled the best chocolate brownies in the world.

Meanwhile, our Shrieval Chaplain, Anne, was in Carterton representing the Shrievalty at the Battle of Britain Civic Service by kind invitation of the Town Mayor, Councillor Michele Mead. The parade and service at St John the Evangelist Church brought together civic and military dignitaries with warmth and dignity.

RAF Brize Norton’s Station Commander, Group Captain Louise Henton OBE, gave a powerful address, reflecting on the history of the Battle of Britain, marking 90 years of links between Carterton and Brize Norton, and speaking of the valuable opportunities the Services continue to offer young people today.

As Anne wrote afterwards: “It was my first experience of a commemoration for the Battle of Britain and whilst the reason for the service was commemorating lives lost, in bringing together today’s civilians and RAF personnel, I am sure that those who made the ultimate sacrifice would have rejoiced at the Services’ ongoing successes in promoting and defending our country’s way of life and the freedoms we all enjoy.”

Three very different services. Three communities coming together in pride and remembrance. A privilege to have been part of them.