A Joyful Service in Buckinghamshire

What a joyful law service it was today, just over the border in Buckinghamshire, supporting their High Sheriff, Pippa Kirkbride. It was a true celebration of community, song, and reflection – and all the more special for being shared with fellow High Sheriffs from neighbouring counties: Berkshire, Bedfordshire, Leicestershire, and Hertfordshire.

The music was simply glorious. We were treated to the soaring voices of Amersham A Cappella, one of Europe’s leading ladies’ choirs. Fresh from their success at the World Championships in Denver – where they came fourth – their harmonies filled the church with energy and beauty. Adding to the splendour, the Amersham Band gave us stirring accompaniment, a reminder of how brass music has the power to inspire and bring people together across generations.

The address by Chief Scout, Dwayne Fields, was deeply moving. He spoke with warmth and honesty about his childhood in rural Jamaica, his move to London, and how becoming a Cub Scout helped him feel at home in what was then a strange, grey country. His words perfectly reflected Pippa’s theme for her shrieval year: “Let Us Work Together to Lift Up Our Young People and Let Us Celebrate the Power of Volunteering.”

With young people from Amersham Scouts and Police Cadets present, the theme came vividly to life – a joyful reminder of how volunteering, music, and shared purpose can transform lives.