The Bishop Porteus prize for ‘the most distinct and graceful’ reader in Chapel is won by Robyn Russell-Jones who is studying theology.
Competitors read two passages from the Bible chosen to reflect the concerns of Bishop Beilby Porteus, the first prominent Anglican clergyman to contend for the abolition of the slave trade. Candidates were able to prepare the first passage from the King James Version. Luke 7:1-10 narrates the concern of a Gentile centurion for his unwell servant who is then healed by Jesus.
The second unseen passage from a modern translation was Ezekiel 34:1-10 – the prophecy against the shepherds of Israel.
Chaplain Dr Helen Orchard said:
“The confusion between the words prophecy and prophesy is a particular bugbear of mine. If you mispronounced the word you lost ½ a mark!”
The annual prize was endowed by Bishop Porteus who was a Classics scholar and Fellow of Christ’s. He was Bishop of Chester and later London and died in 1809.
The judging panel who consisted of Helen, Dr Mary Franklin-Brown and Dr Henry Spelman agreed that the standard was very high among the 11 candidates but that Robyn read with “audibility, accuracy, presence, varied pitch and a sense of comprehension”. Robyn wins £100.
Runner up was Grace Beckett who had a busy morning. She submitted her Master’s thesis at 12 noon and dashed to the Chapel after a rushed lunch and two quick dips in the swimming pool. Grace, who won a bottle of port, came second last year too. She said:
“Now I've won two bottles! I gave mine to my mum last year.”
Jodie Coates was highly commended.
This was Helen’s first experience of the prize and she found that her biretta (a square clerical cap) came in handy for drawing the names for the running order. She said
“It was great to take part in one of our College traditions. I’ll be luring the best readers back into chapel to read for a service next term.”