On Friday 12th April 2019, Ashley Brough was sworn in as High Sheriff of Staffordshire at Stafford Crown Court in the presence of His Honour Judge Michael Chambers QC, Recorder of Stafford. Staying true to the custom, outgoing High Sheriff Philippa Jane Gee was also in attendance together with her friends and family.
The High Sheriff’s role can be summarised as follows:
- To uphold and enhance the ancient Office of High Sheriff and to make a meaningful contribution to the High Sheriff’s County during the year of Office
- To lend active support to the principal organs of the Constitution within their county – the Royal Family, the Judiciary, the Police and other law-enforcement agencies, the emergency services, local authorities, and all recognised church and faith groups
- To ensure the welfare of visiting High Court Judges; to attend on them at Court and to offer them hospitality
- To support the Lord-Lieutenant on royal visits and on other occasions as appropriate
- To take an active part in supporting and promoting voluntary organisations with the County.
Commenting on his new position, Ashley said: “The Office of High Sheriff is the oldest continuous secular office under the Crown and it can be traced back over 1,000 years. It is an enormous privilege to be High Sheriff of Staffordshire and I hope to do justice to the role. I feel excited about the opportunities ahead of me and my chance to make a difference to peoples lives in and around this wonderful county.
“I’m eager to further learn ways in which I can better serve the community I lived and worked in all my life. I plan to place focus on the needs of young people in our society, and the vulnerable. I hope to raise awareness in the county of knife and youth crime. I intend to build on the values of our already strong community and support the indispensable statutory organisations and voluntary groups who strive to support our local society.”
