St George’s Day 2018

This year’s celebrations for St George’s Day took place on Sunday 22nd April – a day blessed with fine sunny weather.  There was a strong turnout of Freemen, with every gown taken for the procession from the Town Hall to the City Church of St Michael at the North Gate.  At 10:15 the 20-strong procession set off.  It was a colourful sight, with Freemen and civic gowns, many sporting a red rose. First in line came the Mace Bearer, carrying not the small symbolic mace, but the full-size mace of King Charles.  This has its very own place in the City Church, where a specially constructed stand awaits it at the end of the front pew.  The Mace Bearer clamps it into position there for the duration of the civic service.

For many years the service was led by the City Rector the Reverend Bob Wilkes, but he retired towards the end of last year.  So this year his place was taken by the Reverend Mary Gurr, Associate Priest at the church and Chaplain to the homeless in Oxford.  This latter capacity was reflected in her sermon, which contained much about the work of the charitable sector in the City.

After the service, when coffee had been provided by the church, 22 Freeman and their guests made their way to the Mitre, where Sunday lunch was laid on.  This made an enjoyable conclusion to the morning, with thanks as ever to Bryan Keen for making the necessary arrangements.