On Friday, a Declaration Ceremony was held at The Church of Christ the Cornerstone to appoint the new High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire, Debbie Brock DL.
Held at 3.30pm, the historical ceremony was attended by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant The Countess Howe, past High Sheriffs of Buckinghamshire from the last twenty years, Mayors from across Buckinghamshire, Judges, Magistrates and many guests.
The Ceremony began with a welcome from His Honour, Judge Hughes.
Serene Taylor was appointed as the Under Sheriff of Buckinghamshire, and George Anson was appointed as the Deputy Under Sheriff.
Debbie said: “It’s an honour to have been appointed The High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire, I look forward to giving my service in support of the peace and well-being of our county.”
Debbie Brock succeeds the outgoing High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire, George Anson, and will be in the post for 12 months.
George Anson said “Being the High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire has opened my eyes to the tremendous contribution made to our community by essential service providers and volunteer organisations. I cannot thank you all enough for making my Shrieval year very special.”
The Office of High Sheriff is the oldest secular office in the UK, after the Crown.
The High Sheriff is appointed personally by The Queen at the Pricking Ceremony held in March each year and the origins of the Office date back to Saxon times, when the “Shire Reeve” was responsible to the King for the maintenance of law and order within the shire, or county, and for the collection and return of taxes due to the Crown.
Today there are 55 High Sheriffs serving the counties of England and Wales.
The role of the modern High Sheriff is “to uphold and lend active support to the principal organs of the Constitution – the Royal Family, the Judiciary, the Police, the Prison Services and other law enforcement agencies, the emergency services, local authorities, and all recognised church and faith groups.
Debbie Brock added: “Like many of my predecessors, I am keen to support initiatives that help to build stronger communities as well as those that prevent crime and reoffending, and I am also keen to understand the ways in which victims of crime are supported.
“I have a broad theme of Inclusion and taking the lead from my hometown of Olney marking the 250th Anniversary of Amazing Grace being sung on 1st January 1773, looking at the way modern slavery and exploitation are tackled today”.
Please join me in welcoming our new High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire, Debbie Brock DL. She was sworn in this afternoon at 3:30 pm in Milton Keynes. Please watch this Tweeter feed to follow Debbie's exploits. Now I can take those tights off for the last time! @highsheriffs pic.twitter.com/u0KynyQ2Uj
— George Anson (@HiSheriffBucks) April 1, 2022
