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Lincolnshire
County News
2009/2010
What an extraordinary experience the last year has been. Having avidly read all articles in this magazine by retiring High Sheriffs for the past few years, I concur with many remarks: welcomed wherever you went; an insight into one’s own County not otherwise possible; the hugest variety of engagements and the opportunity to meet the most amazing people.
 My husband was High Sheriff back in 1987/1988 and we are the first husband/wife combination to have held Office in Lincolnshire. Since then the role of a High Sheriff has changed almost beyond recognition. There are so many more areas that the High Sheriff is invited to and expected to become involved in, particularly in the voluntary sector, which have considerably raised the profile of the Office which in turn has made the High Sheriff much more accessible. I believe this is a very positive development for this ancient Office. I describe the year of Office as a cross between ‘Jim’ll Fix It’ and things that make you cry. I was lucky enough to fly with the Red Arrows but attended four funerals of Lincolnshire soldiers who gave their lives for their country whilst serving in Afghanistan.
I have travelled 22,500 miles during my year of Office – most of it in a 12-year-old Nissan Micra which deeply shocked the Chain Gang but pleased their drivers! Lincolnshire is a vast County with three ‘County’ Councils, two Crown Courts, two Police Forces and two Fire & Rescue Services. In fact only the Ambulance Service has the same boundaries as the High Sheriff.
I have been very involved with the Tribune Trust (better described by Patrick Farnsworth, East Riding of Yorkshire) along with Rock Challenge – a dance competition for secondary schools based on anti-drug, anti-alcohol, anti-smoking initiatives. If any of you get a chance to see a performance, please make the effort – it will restore all faith in the youth of today. Inevitably the day after, I would be in Court and see the other side of the coin.
 The variety of engagements has been vast. I have been particularly impressed with both Lincolnshire and Humberside Police Forces, having previously been unaware of the scope of the proactive work they both do. This, in turn, led me to prisons, Crown Courts, County Court, Magistrates Courts, Crown Prosecution Service, Probation Service, Youth Offending Service, Youth Crime Prevention and Domestic Violence Unit. I found all of the above fascinating but also depressing.
But there has been something extra in this year, namely a cross-border camaraderie and co-operation between High Sheriffs. There have been several Legal Services where it has not been uncommon to find up to nine High Sheriffs. This has provided an exchange of ideas and information and it is useful to know what is going on in neighbouring counties. I think it is important to maintain contact in the future – please see photograph
for what has been achieved....
The Judge’s Evensong at Lincoln Cathedral on 5th October brought no less than nine High Sheriffs together.
 From left to right naming High Sheriffs and Judge only:
Mr Robert Carter (Norfolk, fourth from left), Mrs Janie Wentworth-Stanley (Hertfordshire), Mrs Elizabeth Mills (Rutland),
The Hon Mr Justice McFarlane, The Lady Sarah McCorquodale (Lincolnshire), The Lady De Ramsey (Cambridgeshire)
Mrs Francesca Horsfield (North Yorkshire), Mrs Helena Muller (South Yorkshire), Mr Michael Rowen (Nottinghamshire)
Mr Patrick Farnsworth (East Riding of Yorkshire)
The Lady Sarah McCorquodale
High Sheriff of Lincolnshire 2009/2010
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