Crown and County celebratory opening held

A ceremony in Stafford was held on November 1 to celebrate a Crown and County Court opening.

The ceremony, which is held three times a year, was attended by Staffordshire Police, including Staffordshire Special Constabulary and Cadets, and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Stafford Crown Court is one of only two crown courts in England that still open the courts circuit with a parading ceremony of a new court judge.

Ceremonies of this ilk began before the police was formed. As part of the celebration, the sticks officers hold are ceremonial Halberds which are approximately 300-years-old and still held within the force.

When the courts were held in each town/city, those arrested would be held to wait for the circuit judge to come into town to pass judgement on behalf of the Crown.

The judge would be paraded into town by Halberdiers and those who worked for the Crown. The officers are classed as Halberdiers.

They would parade the circuit judge to the town’s church to speak with the clergymen who would ensure that the judge acted fairly and passed honest judgement on that of the parishioners of the area.

This ceremony is still held by Staffordshire to continue tradition.

Reflecting on the latest ceremony, Ryan Smallman, Special Inspector at Staffordshire Police, said: "It is truly humbling to be involved in such a historic and significant event. It is fantastic to be a part of the history of the county and to continue the traditions that have been held in Staffordshire for hundreds of years."