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There are not many roles in life that take you to three Cathedrals within seven days, but that is what happened to me as High Sheriff of Derbyshire in late October. First on a rainy Sunday to Chester for the Legal Service for the High Sheriff of Cheshire. then to Oakham for the High Sheriff of Rutland and, two days, later to the Cathedral of the Fens at Ely. Wow! Each service was a celebration of the country's judicial system and were shows not only of both procession pageantry but also of compassion companionship and commitment. Each Cathedral welcomed Judges, Magistrates, the Police, Firefighters and emergency services personnel to their places of worship as we thanked them all for their hard work over the past year. Some special places celebrating some wonderful people.

I have written before about my individual visits to the various agricultural shows in the County over the summer. In total I was welcomed warmly at each as I undertook my duties as High Sheriff. These ranged from presenting the (numerous) cups and prizes at the Brailsford Ploughing and Hedge laying Match held this year  at Barrow upon Trent to judging the wonkiest marrow at the Turnditch and Windley horticultural show just north of Duffield. In all I visited ten shows around the County from Hope on a glorious afternoon in August to sheepdog trials at Longshaw and Dovedale and , of course, the Ashbourne Show of which I was President in the year 2000. The farmers and rural workers can often be taken for granted in the country but I made a concerted effort to support their hard work and endeavours to not only produce food for the nation but also to maintain the countryside that we so love and cherish. I hope I did a good job.

The call up from 27 year old  US citizen William Rush as the new flamboyant owner of Alfreton Town FC was a chance that I was not to miss. Adorned in my Court Dress ( minus my sword) I walked onto the hallowed turf at The Impact Arena with the match ball escorted by the referee and linesman. My job (which I can reveal I did remarkably well) was to place the said ball on the centre circle before the start of the grudge game between Alfreton Town and visitors Chester City. Having accomplished my duties and shaken hands with all 22 players I retreated to the hospitality suite to watch the match alongside Martin Thacker from the Football League Board and other directors!!  Sadly the invitation brought no luck with it as Alfreton lost 2-0! With 657 fans watching the game plus myself, we wish them well for the rest of the season!

And finally I am sad to report the death of Michael Hall from Ashford in the Water. Michael started life in Manchester and  left school at 16 but worked in Derby in various accounting roles in the city before becoming a business specialist culminating in  important roles at the University of Derby as the establishment transitioned from a Polytechnic. Over 300 attended his funeral in person at St Peter’s Edensor and on line as we heard his son Rob present the most moving and eloquent of tributes. As Rob said Michael had a ‘finger in many pies’ and was a loveable warm-hearted family man. We shall miss him at the County Club lunches that he attended every month and we send our condolences to Rob  his sister Kait and the entire family. Much loved and greatly missed.

Over Christmas I shall be attending many Christmas carol Services and Concerts around the County of which I shall write about in forthcoming columns but  Fiona and I  would like to wish you all, the readers, a joyous Christmas and a happy Shrieval New Year!