What an incredible year working with the High Sheriff of Surrey - Robert Napier CBE. During the past 12 months I have had the pleasure of managing his social media and website - the aim being to increase the awareness of this important role within the county. The Office of High Sheriff is an independent non-political Royal appointment for a single year dating 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. Supporting the Crown and the judiciary remain central elements of the role today. In addition, High Sheriffs actively lend support and encouragement to crime prevention agencies, the emergency services and to the voluntary sector. In recent years High Sheriffs in many parts of England and Wales have been particularly active in encouraging crime reduction initiatives, especially amongst young people. Many High Sheriffs also assist Community Foundations and local charities working with vulnerable and other people both in endorsing and helping to raise the profile of their valuable work. The main tool to achieve better awareness has been the High Sheriff's Official Blog which 'lives' permanently on his website (www.highsheriffofsurrey.com). Robert's 229 blog posts serve as a lasting archive and really do show what the role entails.
It has been a pleasure for me to work with Robert and am looking forward to doing so further on another project (watch this space!) I am also particularly pleased that the 2018-19 High Sheriff, Jim Glover has decided to continue where Robert had left off and I am continuing in my role as Media advisor, photographer and web/social manager. As Eric Clapton has said - 'I shot the Sheriff' hundreds of times actually this past year and now I'm shooting the next one! Congratulations Robert on a very successful Shrieval Year and also to Jim Glover - may your year be equally as memorable!
