More than a hundred Gwent magistrates attended a service at Newport Cathedral recently, to commemorate the 650th anniversary of the creation of Justices of the Peace.

The occasion was led by the Dean of Monmouth, the Very Rev'd Dr Richard Fenwick, who welcomed the justices to the cathedral on what he called 'an important anniversary'.

Gwent's Lord Lieutenant Simon Boyle and the current High Sheriff Hugh Phillips were also present to hear the sermon from the Right Reverend John Davies, Bishop of Swansea and Brecon, expound on the necessity of justice tempered with mercy.

'As 2011 sees the Magistracy commemorate its 650th Anniversary, it was always the intention to start the year with a memorable Cathedral Service,' explained magistrate Clive Hughes, chairman of the local 650th organising committee.

'This was certainly achieved. It was appropriate that the Rev'd John Davies, once a solicitor in Newport but now the Bishop of Swansea and Brecon, should be asked to officiate and he gave a very interesting and thought provoking sermon on love and justice.

'We have arranged a number of events in the year ahead, all of which we hope will increase people's understanding of our role in the justice system and provide a wide variety of interesting occasions.'

Events later in the year will include a weekend of Victorian trials, staged in Usk's historic court house, often used in television and film sets.

The plays, taking place in September, will be based on actual Victorian trials and should provide an interesting insight into how far courts and their approach to justice have changed.

The year will conclude with a Carol Service in Abergavenny.