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My handover ceremony to become High Sheriff took place in the wonderful surroundings of the former Courts building and Shire Hall in the centre of Warwick on Maundy Thursday 21st April 2011. It was an honour and a privilege to be invited to become High Sheriff of Warwickshire and I was very fortunate to be able to ask Sir Andrew McFarlane to preside over my ceremony. I was at school with Sir Andrew and his opening words started something like “Little did I know when we were at school together that some 40 years on we would be meeting up at an occasion like this”.
Lord Justice McFarlane has been appointed the Court of Appeal with effect of 28th July 2011.
The High Sheriff is appointed by her Majesty the Queen to represent her in the County in matters relating to law and order.
I see my role to continue the excellent work of previous High Sheriff’s.
- To support all those people interested in protecting and promoting law and order in the County with particular reference to the Police, Ambulance, Fire services and Armed Forces.
- To support the judiciary to include the Judges, Magistrates, Coroners, Prison and Probation Service.
- To support as many local Charities within the County.
We all know that in every County there are so many unsung heroes giving their time and energy to help others in a variety of different charitable activities and through my year I look forward to meeting as many as possible.
I have decided not to nominate a particular Charity during my year. I would like to support a few. My father was involved in the Army for many years and I would like to support the Armed Forces and particularly those based or living in Warwickshire.
Previous High Sheriffs of Warwickshire have supported Crimebeat which goes from strength to strength in the county and I will continue to do this.
Shakespeare Hospice is based in Stratford-upon-Avon and helps so many people and their families.
Thank you for your help and support through my year
Featured Events
The Former Court Building in Warwick hosted my Inauguration as High Sheriff of Warwickshire - Thu 21st April
My handover ceremony took place in the wonderful surroundings of the former Courts building and Shire Hall in the centre of Warwick on Maundy Thursday the 21st April. Time has flown by since I took office as I have been juggling the new role with continuing to run a small Chartered Surveying practice in Stratford upon Avon. The lead in time from my initial nomination to the actual ceremony also seemed to go very quickly, was I prepared?……………just!! - - Click here for more
Kingsley Girls School, Leamington Spa - Thu 28th April
Penny and I attended a very informal lunch as part of their Royal Wedding celebrations for the next day. - - Click here for more
Shakespeare Birthday Celebrations - Sat 30th April
Celebrating the 447th anniversary of the Birth of William Shakespeare. - - Click here for more
May Day Trust, Royal Leamington Spa - Thu 12th May
I attended an Awards Ceremony held by the May Day Trust. This is a local Charity looking after people who have been abused either physically or mentally or drug/alcohol abuse. - - Click here for more
2028 Squadron Awards Ceremony, Southam - Sat 21st May
The 70th Anniversary Awards Evening for 2028 (Southam) Squadron Air Training Corps. - - Click here for more
Crimebeat Annual Awards - Thu 9th June
Crimebeat Awards – The High Sheriff of Warwickshire continues to support Crimebeat which is a very well run Charity within the County and we had an Awards evening on Thursday 9th June. This is becoming a very popular event attended by approximately 200 people. - - Click here for more
My Garden Party - Wed 6th July
My garden party was held on the 6th July in the garden of Halls Croft which was home to William Shakespeares eldest daughter and is set in very beautiful grounds - - Click here for more
Antiques Roadshow, Guild Hall, Henley in Arden - Sun 11th September
I attended a fundraising event and enjoyable talk given by Antiques Roadshow expert Paul Atterbury followed by a wonderful afternoon tea. This all took place in the wonderful Guild Hall building in the centre of Henley in Arden. - - Click here for more
Warwickshire Fire & Rescue Service, Royal Leamington Spa - Mon 19th September
I telephoned the Warwickshire Fire Service to ask if I could come and see them. I met everyone, we discussed a little about the latest situation regarding the enquiry following the Atherstone fire which had killed four Officers. - - Click here for more
Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance - Mon 26th September
I visited the Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance at their base at Coventry Airport. I met up with the pilot, the paramedic as well as part of the fundraising team. - - Click here for more
My Judiciary Service, St Marys Church, Warwick - Mon 10th October
Each year the High Sheriff is asked to hold a Church Service for the Judiciary to celebrate the start of the legal year. The Church was full, c 350 people and attended by Her Majesty Judges, Barristers, Magistrates and the representatives for the legal world. - - Click here for more
High Sheriff Award, Darren Dunne, Coventry - Wed 9th November
Darren Dunne was awarded £100 for bravery and I arranged to hand over the award and the cheque at the nightclub where he works. - - Click here for more
Regional High Sheriff Meeting - Tue 22nd November
Once every year, the High Sheriffs' Association hold a regional meeting to brief High Sheriffs' in Nomination for the next two years on their role and on what they can expect to be asked of them in their year in office. This year, the meeting was held at the world famous Lord Leycester Hospital in the beautiful midland town of Warwick - - Click here for more
Side by Side Theatre, Leamington Spa - Wed 23rd November
Penny and I were invited to this evening with the Side by Side Theatre Group which is now well established and helps children and adults with learning difficulties, particularly people with Downs Syndrome. A fantastic evening - - Click here for more
HMP Onley, near Rugby - Wed 1st February
A presentation to long serving Prison Officers. - - Click here for more
Atherstone Ball Game - Tue 21st February
I attended the 813th anniversary. - - Click here for more
Warning Zone, Leicester - Tue 28th February
Invited by the High Sheriff of Leicestershire & Rutland to visit the Warning Zone in the centre of Leicester. - - Click here for more
Warwickshire Probation Trust - Wed 7th March
A meeting with Warwickshire Probation Trust. - - Click here for more
High Sheriff of Shropshire Legal Service - Sun 18th March
I was invited to attend the High Sheriff of Shropshires legal service.
Mayday Trust, Warwick - Wed 21st March
Invited to open a new home on Cape Road in Warwick owned by the Mayday Trust. - - Click here for more
Opening of the Mad Museum, Stratford upon Avon - Thu 22nd March
Kindly invited to attend the opening of the Mad Museum which is well worth a visit. - - Click here for more
Drinks Party, Old Shire Hall, Warwick - Tue 3rd April
I organised an end of year drinks party in the Old Shire Hall, Warwick. - - Click here for more
Handover Ceremony to the New High Sheriff of Warwickshire - Thu 5th April
I finished my very enjoyable year of Office by handing over to the new High Sheriff, Robert Waley-Cohen. The ceremony took place in the old Courts building in Warwick followed by lunch in the Judges House next door. - - Click here for more