South East High Sheriffs Gather at Surrey University!

An impressive ‘posse’ of past, present and future High Sheriffs, partners and Under Sheriffs gathered for the SE Regional Forum yesterday, held at the University of Surrey.

The counties of Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex and the Greater London bailiwick were all represented, and guest speakers included Hugh Tollemache (third row, left), Chair of the High Sheriffs’ Association (HSA) of England & Wales, and Elizabeth Hunter (first row, left), HSA Council Link to the Regions. A particular focus of the annual gathering is to provide support, counsel and inspiration to High Sheriffs in Nomination, who will begin their terms of office in March/April. We were extremely fortunate to be addressed by Surrey’s finest (HH Judge Robert Fraser; HH Judge Alison Raeside; Karon Goodfellow JP; ACC Nev Kemp, Sgt Graham Kerslake and Lady Louise O’Connor), who made this humble citizen of the county very proud indeed! A very successful event was Chaired by my predecessor Robert Napier DL (front, second right), and Patricia was a true star of the gathering as she shared the secrets of the role of ‘consort!’