Grand ambitions: Shropshire’s new High Sheriff looks ahead

Today, most do not have a clue about the role of the High Sheriff. The post is ancient and originally the sheriff dished out the law and collected taxes on behalf of the reigning monarch.

The sheriff was all powerful and often corrupt: think no further than Robin Hood and the evil sheriff John.

Today, the truth is more prosaic. The High Sheriff remains the Queen’s county representative for law & order but our powers have been stripped (and many centuries ago).

So what does the High Sheriff do? On ceremonial occasions, we appear in court dress and with a sword to protect the judges (yes, I know!). For us boys, it is medieval garb and we can be accused of coming straight out of the dressing up box.

Thankfully, the girls look much more elegant in modern court dress. In our mufti, we do stand out in a crowd which, surprisingly, does have its advantages: a High Sheriff is difficult to ignore.

Yes, but what do we really do? Most of the time, the High Sheriff is out of sight and beavering away in the background overseeing the police, military, emergency services and, of course, the judiciary.

But for many, the most valuable role is to encourage and promote the local charities.

In these cynical days of doom and gloom, there is so much good going on and mostly unsung. It is not an exaggeration to write that volunteering, caring, civic and other duties are the fibres which hold our society together.

So what will I do? Probably, a little too early to answer this question in detail as I’ve only been (‘declared’) in post for 3 weeks.

The remit is broad and I’m very much at the bottom of the learning curve but have some ideas.

Positive

First, I’ve been surprised and humbled by my lack of knowledge of how the Police, Military, and the Judicial services actually work. As a professional (a doctor), I suspect others are equally baffled by the medical profession.

Therefore, I will get to know more, highlight the positive and thanks those who provide such vital services on our behalf when thanks are owed (which they will be most of the time). I can also act as a facilitator as sometimes those see across services with less of a precise focus can see things where others can’t. And, of course, there is the whole world of local government just opening up in front of me.

Yes, but what will I really do? I’ve expressed lots of grandiose sentiments so far but nothing relating to Shropshire. I, along with my family, moved here in 1990 after 15 years in London doing my medical training. On my arrival, I remember my amazement on witnessing all the local charitable work and having seen nothing like this back in London.

Of course, this charitable work still goes on whether it is national charities raising funds locally, local fund raising (there are over 2,000 charities registered in Shropshire). There are so many examples, but think of the League of Friends to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and to the Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Oswestry who have raised millions (no exaggeration) over the years to support patients within the NHS, and also the huge amount of money which has to be raised every year to keep our 3 hospices open. Quite astounding.

Not to mention all those individuals who volunteer not necessarily to raise money, but to care for others or their communities or, indeed, their heritage. If I can highlight/promote/ support/acknowledge this effort in anyway, then my time will be well spent.

Is there anything else I can do? Well it is not all sugar and spice. Shropshire also has its problems. Like many others, I’m also concerned the plight of the homeless, the problems of drug addiction and the challenges of sustaining mental health and all 3 are, of course, interrelated. With my medical background, I hope I can provide some insight and help coordinate the various responsible agencies. A big ask, I know, but this may be a problem which a high sheriff can help with.

In the run up to this job, I’ve been asked many times what charity I will be supporting in my year. Well, I’m very keen to carry on the good work of Rhoddy Swire, my immediate predecessor, in rejuvenating the Shropshire Community Fund - shropshire-rcc.org.uk/SCF This will be a larger fund with the specific purpose of providing grants to smaller charities in the county and is a project very much in progress.

This article has been full of hope and aspirations of your new High Sheriff. If the editor will have me back, I will be glad to let you know how I’ve been getting on. Exciting times ahead…