Leicestershire has a new High Sheriff following the traditional Handover and Declaration Ceremony held at Leicester’s Guildhall.
Last Friday, April 5th April new High Sheriff, John Chatfeild-Roberts, swore his oath of allegiance to the Crown and was clothed with the badge of office by outgoing High Sheriff, Mrs Henrietta Chubb JP.
Picture credit: David Morcom Photography
The handover was witnessed by High Court Judge, The Honourable Mr Justice Choudhury and in the presence of the Lord Lieutenant, Mike Kapur OBE CStJ, the Lord Mayor, the Chairman of the County Council and around 100 guests.
Mrs Chubb spoke of the warm welcome she had received during her 12 months in office and the kindness she had seen in Leicester and Leicestershire, both in the traditional areas of High Sheriff focus, Justice, Law & Order, the Emergency Services, and also in the voluntary sector.
“It has been my privilege to meet many extraordinary people across the City and County, to hear their amazing stories, to witness their incredible work, to thank them and make them feel seen. It has been a humbling experience to see their selflessness and the wish to improve the lives of others in action,” she said.
Picture credit: David Morcom Photography
Mr Chatfeild-Roberts responded, thanking Mrs Chubb for her hard work and the ‘peerless example’ she had set during her year in office.
He commented on how appropriate it was for the Ceremony to be held in The Guildhall, built in 1390 by Richard II (son of the Black Prince), where Justice had been dispensed in the past and where you could feel history living around you: he pointed out the ability of a jury to give their verdict from the hatch to the upper Jury Room, whilst staying out of sight of the miscreants they were passing justice on!
“The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst’s motto “Serve to Lead” to my mind is very appropriate for the ancient office of High Sheriff,” he said.
“In our lives we can only ever try our very best and I will certainly try my upmost to ‘Serve to Lead’ in Leicester and Leicestershire during the coming year”.
Picture credit: David Morcom Photography
