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Some blue lidded bin and green waste recycling collection services have been disrupted on 20 May - visit Missed bin collection for further information.
Lady Lansdowne was brought up in a large family in Kent. On her marriage she became the chatelaine of Bowood House and has been working alongside her husband for the past 35 years developing the Estate and the various leisure businesses that help to maintain the historic house. She still runs her own interior design business and is a keen amateur artist.
The theme for this Shrieval year is 'Home' which encompasses many different aspects of the importance of a secure home for everyone. Lady Lansdowne said: "Sadly a happy home is not a reality for so many families and individuals in Wiltshire and I hope to be able to support and encourage all the wonderful organisations that help turn lives around and make that basic human right achievable."
Lady Lansdowne also continues to support many charities across Wiltshire, including the Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust, Springboard Chippenham, Wiltshire Sight, and Alzheimer's Support.
The Under Sheriff of Wiltshire is Mr Christopher Bromfield.
2016: Sir David Hempleman-Adams, KCVO. CBE, KStJ, DL
2017: Lady Marland
2018:Mrs Nicky Alberry DL
2019: Mr David Scott DL
2020: Major General Ashley Truluck
2021: Sir Charles Hobhouse Bt.
The Office of High Sheriff is an independent non-political Royal appointment for a single year. 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 each year.
The High Sheriff is the Sovereign's representative in the County for matters of law and order and the judiciary and consequently takes an active interest in the administration of justice. The appointment is honorary and there is no formal qualification for the office, although certain people - Members of both Houses of Parliament, serving members of the armed forces, and certain government officials - are disqualified from taking office.
The annual nominations of three prospective High Sheriffs for each County are made in a meeting of the Lords of the Council in The Queen's Bench Division of the High Court of Justice presided over by the Lord Chief Justice on 12 November in each year. Subsequently the selection of new High Sheriffs is made annually in a meeting of the Privy Council by The Sovereign when the custom of "pricking" the appointee's name with a silver bodkin is perpetuated.
High Sheriffs receive no remuneration and no part of the expense of a High Sheriff's year falls on the public purse.
While the duties of the role have evolved over time, supporting the Crown and the judiciary remain central elements of the role today.
Each High Sheriff will approach their year slightly differently depending on their particular skills, experience and their own areas of interest. The key objectives of the role can be summarised as follows:
To uphold and enhance the ancient Office of High Sheriff and to make a meaningful contribution to the High Sheriff's county during the year of office
To lend active support to the principal organs of the Constitution within their county - the Royal Family, the Judiciary, the police and other law enforcement agencies, the emergency services, local authorities, and church and faith groups
To ensure the welfare of visiting High Court judges, to attend on them at court and to offer them hospitality
To support the Lord-Lieutenant on royal visits and on other occasions as appropriate
To take an active part in supporting and promoting the voluntary sector and giving all possible encouragement to the voluntary organisations within a county
The principal formal duties of High Sheriffs today include attendance at Royal visits in the county and support for Her Majesty's High Court judges when on circuit.
In recent years, High Sheriffs actively lend support and encouragement to agencies around crime reduction initiatives and those involved in the voluntary sector, especially among young people. In this way they are able to raise the profile of local charities working with young and vulnerable people to support their valuable work in strengthening community cohesion.
The ceremonial uniform that is worn by male High Sheriffs today is called Court Dress. It has remained essentially unchanged since the late 17th century and consists of a black or dark blue velvet coat with steel-cut buttons, breeches, shoes with cut-steel buckles, a sword and a cocked hat. A lace jabot is worn around the neck. Some High Sheriffs wear their military uniform instead of Court Dress. Today, lady High Sheriffs generally adapt the style of traditional Court Dress to suit their needs. Ceremonial uniform is worn at a wide variety of functions but when not wearing Court Dress, a High Sheriff will wear a Badge of Office on a ribbon.
Many High Sheriffs give their own personal awards to individuals during their year of office. These people are often unsung heroes within small voluntary groups, who have made an outstanding contribution in some way.
If you are aware of a deserving individual, please e-mail wiltshirehighsheriff2022@fionashelburne.co.uk with details, providing the name of the person together with the reason for their nomination.
