I’m doing jury service & today I became the first person ever in England (I think!) to swear a legal oath on a river. With my fingers dipped in water taken from the Roding I stated my juror’s oath as follows: “I swear by the River Roding, from her source in Molehill Green to her confluence with the Thames, that I will faithfully try the Defendant & give a true verdict according to the evidence” The Judge at Snaresbrook Crown Court had never heard of a situation where someone wanted to swear their juror’s oath on a part of Nature before. However, I explained that Nature was my god & I treat the Roding with the same reverence, sacredness & love in action as many religious people give to their holy book. On this basis he was prepared to allow an oath on the river, as long as I gave an affirmation as well, which I did. Here’s to introducing the sacredness of Nature back into our legal system, step by step & piece by piece!