ceremony, mediaeval in origin, recognises the importance of revelry and celebration in fighting off the cold and dark of mid-winter and was originally devised with fun loving choristers in mind. Its climax comes when the chosen boy replaces the Bishop of the diocese on the throne, going on to lead the prayers and preach a sermon written himself.

Matthew, 14, and a pupil at Hereford Cathedral School, joined the cathedral choir at the age of eight in 2005 and subsequently sang over a thousand services with the choir. He took part in several radio and television broadcasts and toured the USA with the choir twice, and performed in Her Majesty’s Chapel Royal in front of TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall. Matthew performed for them a second time in 2009 for their visit to Hereford Cathedral launching the Heritage Lottery-supported Close Project. He took part in several Three Choirs’ Festivals and always looked forward to singing in the Bach Passion which the cathedral choir sing every Holy Week. Since leaving the choir about eighteen months ago he has taken up rowing, cadets and playing the piano, and now sings with the choir of Holy Trinity church in Hereford.

On his appointment as Hereford Boy Bishop, Matthew said “I am very honoured to have been chosen as this year’s boy bishop and will try to perform the role to the best of my ability.”

Read the sermon here: http://issuu.com/herefordcathedral/docs/boybishop2011?mode=window&backgroundColor=%23222222The