Bethany McGreevy from the Isle of Man and Micah Smith representing the Dioceses of London and Southwark were the winners of the 34th Cranmer Awards.

The annual national public speaking competition is organised by the Prayer Book Society. Candidates recite, from memory, substantial passages from the Book of Common Prayer in junior and senior age group categories.

Bethany, representing the Diocese of Sodor and Man chose the Collect, Epistle and Gospel for the Third Sunday after Epiphany. Micah memorised the Epistle and Gospel for the Monday of Whitsun week.

Eighteen young people representing fourteen different dioceses competed in front of judges, family and supporters at Liverpool Hope University recently.

Bethany, who won the senior section of the competition, said, “I’ve loved the whole experience. I entered to practice my public speaking skills, gain some confidence, meet some new people and learn more about the history of the Book of Common Prayer. It’s been a lot of fun.”

Bradley Smith, the PBS’ chairman congratulated everyone who took part in the competition. “It’s a powerful and wonderful thing to hear young people reciting substantial passages, mainly of scripture, from the Book of Common Prayer,” he said.

The winners of both the junior and senior sections won prizes of £250. There were runners up prizes for candidates placed second and third and all the competitors received a copy of the BCP and certificate.

The regional heats for next year’s Cranmer Awards start in the autumn, with the final taking place at Hampton Court Palace in February 2024.

Photo: The Revd Nicholas Johnson SCC presents Bethany and Micah with their prizes.