Neil Hart will take on the role for 2021-22 after a virtual Declaration Ceremony
Mr Hart DL, from Bepton, a village near Midhurst, will serve as The Queen’s representative for law and order in the county, lending active support to the judiciary, the police and other emergency services. He will also take an active part in supporting and promoting local voluntary organisations.
Due to Covid restrictions, the ceremony on Friday was held virtually. The High Sheriff was joined online by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of West Sussex Sir Richard Kleinwort, Sussex Chief Constable Jo Shiner, West Sussex chief fire officer Dr Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, senior judge Christine Laing, the outgoing High Sheriff of West Sussex Dr Tim Fooks, the current High Sheriff of East Sussex Mr Miles Jenner, and the Rev Derek Welsman from Easebourne, who the High Sheriff’s has appointed as chaplain.
Mr Hart delivered his Oath of Declaration in front of the Hon Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb, the Presiding High Court Judge for the South Eastern Circuit, and the ceremony was viewed by more than 100 guests.
The office of High Sheriff is an independent royal appointment for a year. The origins date back to Saxon times, when the Shire Reeves were responsible to the king for the maintenance of law and order, and for the collection of taxes. Today, there are 55 High Sheriffs serving the counties of England and Wales.
Mr Hart said: “It is a great honour and a privilege to be selected. This will be a difficult but interesting year as we emerge from lockdown and organisations and businesses, professional and voluntary, and their respective employees, volunteers, clients and customers, gradually get to grips with what we hope will be business as normal.
“I hope I can support and encourage them in this process. It will be a fascinating and rewarding year.”
Mr Hart said his theme for the year would be ‘recovery’ as people begin to re-establish their various activities after the lifting of Covid restrictions.
The High Sheriff wears Court Dress for ceremonial duties, including a velvet coat, wig bag, tunic shirt with lace ruffles, waistcoat, black velvet breeches, black hose, or silk tights, and a sword.
Mr Hart said he managed to get most of it secondhand from a former High Sheriff of Surrey who was a similar size but he had to source ‘one or two bits’ separately, including the black silk tights.
The High Sheriff can be contacted through his PA, Mrs Julia Mansergh, by email to hswestsussex2020@icloud.com or call 07966 105513.
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