I am privileged and honoured to be the new High Sheriff of South Yorkshire
and live on Freeview channel 276
I am very grateful to His Honour Judge Richardson, The Recorder of Sheffield for conducting my declaration ceremony in The Courthouse, Sheffield, on Wednesday 31 March 2021.
I would also like to express my thanks to the outgoing High Sheriff, Mrs Carole O’Neill for everything she did and achieved during the last 12 months, there has never been a more challenging time for a High Sheriff to have been in office, South Yorkshire is a better place for the work she has done and for the very valuable contribution she has made to the County.
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Hide AdThe office of High Sheriff has a very substantial history, it is a very ancient office. The office is a high honour but that was not always the case. Many High Sheriff’s historically sought to avoid the tasks associated with the office. High Sheriffs used to collect taxes and were responsible for rounding up criminals, such tasks are today done by HMRCS and the police.
Today the office of High Sheriff is defined and shaped by a sense of duty and service to the community. It is an office closely associated with the enforcement of the law and the administration of justice and whilst it is a ceremonial role it does have a purpose.
My purpose for my year of office begins with my support for the judges and all who administer justice, for barristers, solicitors, legal executives and all those who work in our legal system, in our courts and tribunals and in our law firms. It is important that a wider section of society understands what our system of justice and the rule of law is all about and the importance of justice in all its many and varied aspects. I want to help and play a role in achieving that.
This also extends to supporting the very important work undertaken across South Yorkshire by law enforcement agencies and the emergency services, by our Police, the Fire and Rescue Service, the Prison, Probation and Rehabilitation services and the Parole Board. The work they all do is so important and valuable and we all have a role to play in making sure they are all sustained in wisdom, discernment and compassion for the benefit of everyone in South Yorkshire and the whole of society.
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Hide AdWe live in challenging and uncertain times, the global pandemic has highlighted the importance, dedication, hard work and commitment of all those who work in voluntary, charitable and community organisations, they do so tirelessly to support those who are vulnerable, homeless, living in poverty and in deprivation, those on the margins of our society. I will be working with and supporting South Yorkshire Community Foundation and various other charity and voluntary organisations, working together for the dignity of all, answering human difficulty, tragedy and weakness with compassion and understanding.
Children and young people are a very important constituency of our communities and life across South Yorkshire. They are the future. As they grow up they do so having to develop the resilience to cope with whatever life throws at them and grow into well-rounded, healthy adults.