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Derbyshire
County News
2009/2010
As the seventh member of my family to hold the position of High Sheriff, the earliest being in 1612, you might imagine having an understanding of this great Office would be straightforward.
It was the Bishop of Oxford who really encapsulated for me what our role is all about. He was speaking to a group of High Sheriffs at the Inner Temple in June last year when he said ‘As I see it, one of your key roles is to discover the good (in your County), to speak well of it, and to support it in whatever way you can’.
‘Many people feel unappreciated’, he said ‘but High Sheriffs have it in their grasp to partly redress that balance’. He was so right when he foretold the good works we would see and the compassion and dedicated service we would witness during our year of Office.
That's what we have doubtless all seen as we have travelled around in our role as encouragers. It has been a great privilege to see so much courage displayed in Derbyshire. I have felt humbled by the way others have coped with adversity caused by chronic illness, disability, injury, all sorts.
 One way in which I have tried to make a difference was by writing a monthly High Sheriff’s Diary for The Derbyshire Magazine. This gave a flavour of the activities undertaken, with particular emphasis on smaller local charities I had visited, especially those that would benefit greatly from the extra publicity. This proved quite popular and at the same time was instructive and most enjoyable.
Meeting so many people dedicated to helping others made me feel I should do more, personally, to fundraise during my year. This led to me abseiling down the 212ft face of Derby Cathedral Tower in aid of the Cathedral’s ChurchCAM fund and the Derbyshire Mountain Rescue Service. A real thrill, as it turned out, and without incident!
One of my loves is the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas, near Lichfield in Staffordshire. It is a magnificent site and, with nearly 300,000 visitors last year, one can see just why it is so popular. Its tranquil setting (of 150 acres) provides peace for those that seek it, exercise for those that wish it and the military and civilian memorials provide a living and lasting memorial to those who have served their country.
 I was a trustee for seven years and am now a consultant for ‘special projects’. I had the honour to meet HRH Prince William, who became patron of the £8m Development Appeal, which will enable the Arboretum to achieve its ambition to become a world-renowned Centre for Remembrance. Being a cause very dear to my heart, some would say I went to extreme lengths in my endeavour to raise funds for them. I did a tandem Skydive from 14,000ft. The exit from the plane was scary but, once outside, the 45 seconds freefall down to 5,000ft was most exhilarating, followed by a reassuring yank as the chute opened. After a safe landing I was relieved, thrilled and hugely enjoyed the adrenalin rush, which seemed to last for three days!
 You may know the Arboretum includes a Shrievalty Avenue. Set along the main thoroughfare, the avenue comprises lime trees cloned from what is thought to be a 2,000 year old lime at Westonbirt Arboretum. Based on an idea by David Elliot, High Sheriff of Staffordshire in 2000, a number of High Sheriffs have donated towards a tree as a permanent reminder of their special year. There are just 28 remaining undedicated trees in the avenue. If you wish to dedicate one of these, you will need to be quick and contact the Arboretum via www.thenma.org.uk
The most moving ceremony was without doubt the unveiling in October of a memorial to the 11,500 Sherwood Foresters who lost their lives on the Western Front during the First World War.
Until then, they have had no regimental memorial in France or Belgium. The ceremony was at Tyne Cot Cemetery, near Ypres, and the unveiling was conducted by the Lord Lieutenants of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire with the Mayor of Derby, Repton School choir, the Mercian Regimental band and other dignitaries present, together with over 600 visitors attending. The High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire and I gifted a clone of the Major Oak of Sherwood Forest to the Mayor and people of the region, as a ‘thank you’ for permitting the Foresters Memorial to be placed there.
It’s easy to believe from TV and the Press that the social fabric of this country is falling apart. That is not my experience. But of course, there are many matters that do need improving. I met a huge cross section of ordinary people, many doing extraordinary things – giving help to others, supporting those less fortunate than themselves, putting in the extra effort, often for many years. It’s been heart-warming and very encouraging to see.
I was accompanied to a number of formal events by an excellent young lady who has been my Army Cadet for this year, 17-year-old Cpl Ashton Searcy; she even took part in the Skydive with me. My interest in the cadets led me to visit Army, Navy and Air Force cadets, where I was witness to their training and education, all carried out with enthusiasm, energy and dedication.
When asked why they had joined the cadets, several commented that they enjoyed the discipline and being part of a team. This may not always be thought of as 'cool' by their schoolmates but they were not put off. They are some of tomorrow’s good citizens and I found myself wishing that there were more young people like them and for a return to a greater emphasis on discipline and self-discipline within our wider society.
I would like to particularly thank my wife, Susie, who has been brilliant with ideas, acting as secretary and showing patience throughout. Also to thank the great number of Derbyshire people who have helped to make this a very special and memorable year for me.
Sir Henry Every Bt DL
High Sheriff of Derbyshire 2009/2010
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