The High Sheriff's Diary - June 2025
Nearly two months in to my year as High Sheriff of Derbyshire the most frequent question is what is the most satisfying event that I have attended? The second is have I used my sword recently? I will put the answers at the bottom of my piece.
As previous incumbents have told me the year gets off to a slow start as one finds ones feet and meets the various Mayors and Consorts gang as councils move from one civic year to the next. This can be quite confusing as some authorities have their civic service at the end of the year and others at the beginning . As such it can mean that out of our ten local authorities one can meet up to 20 mayors /mayoresses and consorts in a six week period. However May is Mayor-making month and I was delighted to attend the installation of Cllr Barry Dyke as the new Mayor of Chesterfield. He will be assisted by his charming wife Marie in the role and fellow councillors spoke warmly of his career and character as we witnessed the arrival of the newly robed mayor in the Chamber at Chesterfield Town Hall.
Sadly I was unable to attend a similar event in Derby as Cllr Ajit Atwal assumed the reins in the City but I was fortunate to have my Deputy Under Sheriff Chris Birds attend the glittering ceremony in my stead. Again further plaudits and praise for the incoming Councillor whom I will see at numerous events in the year.
Part of my role involves supporting the police service in the county and I was thrilled to attend my first Police Long Service Awards at Butterly Headquarters. In the Atrium we heard about the amazing work all the recipients had done in their 20 and 30 year careers. At this function I did not have to give a speech but chatting to the officers over coffee later it was humbling to hear about their respective service periods pertaining to our safety.
VE Day 80 was the busiest day of the role so far as I left Tissington early to join schoolchildren and dignitaries at the Staveley War Memorial for an 11am remembrance service and wreath-laying. From there to Peak Edge to join the Matlock Ladies Luncheon Club for a special VE Day themed meal followed by myself as guest speaker…. An engagement that was booked over a year ago I should add! En route south my sister Selina and I dropped in at the Heights of Abraham for an impromptu photoshoot before we arrived in good time at the Cathedral for the County’s tribute and service to the events of 80 years ago accompanied by splendid choral contributions. The day ended at 9.30 pm with the last post at the lighting of the Beacon in Ashbourne by Mayor Sandra Spencer. A very busy but thoroughly rewarding day.
The answers to my questions earlier
1 The most satisfying engagement was to present the charming Elaine Answer with a long service award for working in the Sue Ryder shop at Clay Cross. Sadly Elaine now has stage 4 cancer and it was humbling to meet her and her admiring colleagues at the shop that Elaine has supported for the past ten years and a cause for which she has worked tirelessly. Bravo Elaine.
2 Schoolchildren always ask about my sword and when they ask if I have used it in anger I reply ‘not yet’. But when I asked a class where you get a sword one little boy quipped a ‘swordshop’! Touche.
In Memoriam
Before I finish this piece I must write about some very sad news. At the beginning of April our great neighbour James Litchfield died in a tragic accident. We had known James for over 30 years and our first borns Jasper and Freddie have grown up together remaining very good friends to this day. James had so many different bows to his string but he had the most enormous amount of friends not just in his beloved Derbyshire but also in Scotland and beyond. His funeral at St Oswald’s Church in Ashbourne was the most moving occasion, especially the tributes from his deeply courageous widow Jo and their wonderful sons Jasper Rufus and Ludo. It was a real pleasure to host the 500 or so that attended back at Tissington to celebrate his life. James will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace. Our love and respect go out to Jo and the boys.