THE new High Sheriff of Devon, Mrs Grania Tiffany Phillips, was sworn into office during a ceremony at her home at Colleton Manor, Chulmleigh, on April 5.

Her term of office will last for 12 months and she succeeds Mrs Helen Lindsay-Fynn.

The office of High Sheriff is the oldest secular office in the country and the earliest known Sheriff of Devon was Richard, son of Baldwin, who was appointed in 1086.

The High Sheriff of each Shrievalty in England and Wales (other than Lancaster and Cornwall) is appointed in March of each year by Her Majesty the Queen who traditionally pricks the list of nominations with a silver bodkin.

On the day of pricking, or as soon as possible thereafter, the new High Sheriff is required to take an oath of office in the form of a Declaration.

Once sworn in the High Sheriff, who is a Crown appointee, is second only in precedence to the Lord Lieutenant of the County.

Jayne Anne Clements, JP, and Magistrate sitting in the County of Devon witnessed the Declaration of the new High Sheriff.

After Mrs Phillips was sworn in and signed her Declaration, she appointed her Under Sheriff, Mr Simon Barnett, her Deputy Under Sheriff, Mr Anthony Cockayne and the Clerk to the Shrievalty, Mrs Lynn Gillard. It is usual for there to be continuity in these appointments and those appointed have held these offices previously.

The Reverend John Peter McLaughlin has agreed to accept the position as Chaplain to the High Sheriff for her year of office.

William King was appointed as Police Cadet to the High Sheriff.

THE ROLE

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. ?Whilst the duties of the role have evolved over time, 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 High Sheriff Association adopted DebtCred and Crimebeat in recent years in response to specific areas of need.?High Sheriffs receive no remuneration and no part of the expense of a High Sheriff’s year falls on the public purse. ?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.

These days, however, High Sheriffs play an increasingly active and supportive role within their counties both in relation to the Police and emergency services and in lending encouragement to public sector agencies such as the probation and prison services and to voluntary sector organisations involved in crime reduction and social cohesion.?The holder of the Office of High Sheriff, can be well placed to offer encouragement to those in their county who are engaged in supporting the voluntary sector and those most in need. Many High Sheriffs give their own personal awards to individuals, often unsung heroes within small voluntary groups, who have made an outstanding contribution in some way. As the Office is independent and non-political, High Sheriffs are able to bring together a wide range of people with the community they serve.?OBJECTIVES?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.

PRIVILEGE

Grania said: "I consider it a privilege to have been appointed as High Sheriff of Devon.

"I am very much looking forward to the year during which I will host High Court Judges when in the county, work closely with the Police, HM Prison, HM Coroner and the Probation Service and Court Service, as well as supporting the emergency services."

Grania trained and worked as a Clinical Psychologist before moving to Devon and has a particular interest in charities supporting those with mental health issues.

As a farmer, she also hopes to work with charities which aid farmers and those which use land-based facilities for rehabilitation programmes.