I am privileged and honoured to be the new High Sheriff of South Yorkshire

There have been High Sheriffs for at least one thousand years. I am very privileged and honoured to be the new High Sheriff of South Yorkshire.
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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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The 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.

Martin McKervey, High Sheriff of South YorkshireMartin McKervey, High Sheriff of South Yorkshire
Martin McKervey, High Sheriff of South Yorkshire

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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We 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.

For many this can be difficult and as a consequence they struggle with their mental health and wellbeing. We know that the pandemic has put a huge strain on many young people who were already struggling with their mental health.

I want during my year of office to help our young people who suffer with mental health and those agencies and organisations that work tirelessly to help and support them.

The High Sheriff receives excellent support and assistance from the Under Sheriff. I must take the opportunity to thank the outgoing Under Sheriff Michele Wightman for her dedication and service over the last number of years. I also extend a warm welcome to the new Under Sheriff, Colonel George Kilburn. George was a senior officer in the army and in recent times was the Clerk to the Cutlers’ Company. I very much look forward to working with George during my term of office.

There is strong sense of community across South Yorkshire, I will do my best to make a contribution to that during my year in office.

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Thank you. Nancy Fielder, editor.