In praise of the prayer book: local girls scoop Cranmer Awards

Tara Scott, from Abingdon, won the junior category of the Cranmer Award, despite being the youngest in her heat. Photo Frank Blackwell

Two girls have won the Diocesan heats for the Cranmer Awards, which encourage youngsters to read the Book of Common Prayer.

Each entrant is asked to recite pieces from the prayer book in front of a large audience.

Winner of the junior category for 11 to 14 year olds, Tara Scott from Abingdon, chose the General Confession, the Magnificat and the Opening of Evening Prayer as her pieces. She said the fact that she was a member of the choir at her church of St James the Great, in Radley, helped her to learn the pieces.

‘We use the prayer book at Evensong so I knew the pieces. I like the language too.’

Tara, who attends Larkmead School in Abingdon, entered along with other girls from her choir.

Victoria Alexander, aged 17, (pictured right), from St Peter’s Church, Caversham, won the senior competition for 15-18 year olds. She was encouraged to enter by a friend at church, though she initially heard about the competition through her school, The Abbey in Reading. She chose to recite the 50 verses of Psalm 18 for the competition. She said she liked the wide variety of emotions and felt it had a good sense of drama. She will read the same psalm for the national final.

Each recital must last between three and five minutes. The girls will now go forward to the final in Hatfield House this month.

Both girls were given a leather bound prayer book to mark their success.