FOR those hardy souls who follow my column in the mid Devon advertiser would know that I’ve touched on several items to do with Devon and Cornwall Police so I thought for once I would head off in another direction, just for a change and just to make it a little bit more interesting.
Recently I met Lady (Lucy) Studholme and we had a very interesting discussion on various topics including the office that Lady Studholme now holds.
Just in case you think I’ve lost the plot, let me enlighten you.
Lady Studholme is the current holder of the High Sheriff of Devon. Okay I can hear some say ‘what’s that all about then’.
The office of Sheriff is the oldest under the Crown and was established initially by King Arthur in the late 900s, and developed by his grandson Athelstan. It was a necessary role to provide and administer justice, collect taxes and send soldiers when necessary, in the Shires, and was originally known as a Reeve – a Shire Reeve – which became the word ‘Sheriff’.
Over the centuries, justice and tax administration became professionalised and centralised, and the High Sheriffs became responsible for the visiting Judges who came to hold the county Assizes. By the 19th Century, this had become a financially onerous responsibility, with the commissioning of special carriages, employing of javelin men to line the route to the court, and providing lavish banquets and entertainment and so on.
Although only held for a year, many tried to wriggle out of the responsibility. To prevent this, every March the Monarch makes a hole with a silver bodkin through the name of those about to take office that year, in a process known as ‘pricking’, thus a very early form of document security.
Today, the High Sheriff is the Monarch’s representative to acknowledge and support all those involved in the administration on Justice in the County, which includes the Crown and County Courts, the Magistrates’, Coroners’ and Tribunal Courts, the Police and Probation Services, and also the emergency services. Until the abolition of the Death Penalty in 1965, they were also responsible for over-seeing the humane and effective passing of this sentence. High Sheriffs also support many organisations who work with offenders to help them rebuild their lives, prisoners, and those affected by addictions, violence and abuse. In addition, the High Sheriff supports many of the County’s civic ceremonies throughout the year.
It is an unpaid and apolitical role.
The Lord-Lieutenant is the Monarch’s personal representative in the County, and oversees all Royal visits and military responsibilities. This appointment is held until the age of 70.
Lady Studholme’s early career included paediatric and general nursing (The Westminster Hospital), and training and PR for the stockbroking arm of Barclays Bank. She is an alumna of the University of Exeter (English with American and Commonwealth Arts), has been a Trustee and Governor there, established the Women’s Alumnae Group, and contributed to the life of the University for over 25 years. She chaired the Exeter Northcott Theatre for eight years to June 2021. She currently sits on the Exeter Liveable Place Board.
So now is the opportunity for Lady Studholme, to enlighten us all on why anyone, except for the prestige of holding the office of High Sheriff, would wish to take on what must be a fascinating yet exhausting commitment for a year.
What are the challenges, what of the aspirations, what does Lady Studholme feel as regards to this ancient ,over a thousand year old post, these are Lady Studholme’s personal comments and views.
‘Taking on this role, particularly whilst we are all living through the pandemic, is a privilege. Most of the usual annual events were either cancelled or postponed last year, and these have been slowly coming back as regulations allow.
‘I have been able to meet and hear from many of the organisations, charities and volunteers that work with the justice system and the blue light services.
‘I was genuinely surprised by the large number of these organisations, and particularly charities and volunteers, and deeply impressed by how they so quickly adapted to new ways of working to continue to deliver their much-needed support, advice and nurture to some of the most vulnerable in our communities.
‘My visits to our county’s prisons, and the nearest women’s prison in Gloucestershire, have been salutary. The compounded effects of the lockdowns has been particularly challenging for staff and prisoners alike. Imagine spending 22-3 hours a day in a room not much bigger than a bathroom for months on end, sometimes two to a cell.
‘On a lighter note, I was delighted to be invited to see HMP Dartmoor received the Royal Horticultural Society prize for the best prison garden – it is amazing what they are growing within those forbidding granite walls!
‘The role is giving me the opportunity to see, hear and acknowledge the astonishing amount of professional, dedicated, caring and kind work that is done by so many in some particularly challenging and unglamourous areas and circumstances.
‘To be able to share this and, on behalf of all us in Devon to say a heartfelt thank you, is an honour.’
I hope that this piece has drawn attention to one of the many ancient posts held throughout this land and especially here in Devon and long may that continue to be part of our history.
Maybe it’s our own fault for not taking a close enough look at what goes on in our beautiful county, in our everyday fast-paced lives we may overlook our traditions and maybe we need to tap in to those traditions to ensure they remain a part of our future.
I would like to thank Lady Studholme for her time in assisting me in this week’s column.