Paul Deneen OBE JP DL and Mrs Joyce Thomas MBE DL were amongst the very many guests invited to attend Hereford Cathedral and the Shrievalty Service for the High Sheriff of Herefordshire, Rev Lady Lisvane.

Mr Deneen, who served as Chairman of Powys and Herefordshire Magistrates Association for a number of years, and is also a former Deputy Chairman of Herefordshire Magistrates said, “The service at the Cathedral was an excellent service which was so very well supported by the Herefordshire Community. There were also many from the Judiciary at national and local level present, together with those from statutory and stakeholder organisations and from the Voluntary Sector in Herefordshire.”

The Office of High Sheriff is at least 1000 years old and is the oldest secular office under the Crown. Originally the office held many of the powers now invested in judges, magistrates, local authorities, coroners and even Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs. The High Sheriff remains the Sovereign’s representatives in the country for all matters relating to the judiciary and maintenance of law and order.

There is a nomination ceremony in November each year in the Royal Courts of Justice, when names are put forward for the office of High Sheriff in each country. Subsequently the selection of a new High Sheriff is made at a meeting of the Privy Council, when by ancient custom the name of the appointee is ‘pricked’ with a bodkin.

The post is an independent, non-political one which enables the holder to bring together a wide variety of individuals and office-holders for the good of the community. High Sheriffs are encouraged to undertake duties to help voluntary and statutory bodies engaged in the maintenance and extention of law and order.

The High Sheriff receives no remuneration and none of the expensive of the year in office falls on the public purse.

This year, the High Sheriff is particularly interested in working on ways to alleviate loneliness and build communities. The charity she has chosen to support is Home-Start Herefordshire.