High Sheriff of Somerset

The office of High Sheriff of Somerset is an ancient shrievalty which has been in existence since the 11th century.[1] Originally known as the "Sheriff of Somerset", the role was retitled on 1 April 1974, under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1972.[2]

The position of Sheriff was once a powerful one, the holders being responsible for collecting taxes and enforcing law and order in Somerset, a county in South West England. In modern times the sheriff has become a ceremonial officer of the Crown, attending or presiding over many public events. Until 1567 the Sheriff of Somerset was also Sheriff of Dorset.[3]

In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland the high sheriff is theoretically the Sovereign's judicial representative in the county, while the Lord Lieutenant is the Sovereign's personal representative.[4] Their jurisdictions, the "shrieval counties", are no longer co-terminous with administrative areas, representing a mix between the ancient counties and more recent local authority areas. The post is unpaid, except for a small court attendance allowance, and the general expenses of the office are borne personally by the holder.[5] Eligibility for nomination and appointment of High Sheriffs is controlled by the Sheriffs Act of 1887.

The current high sheriff is Rob Beckley MstJ QPM.[6]

Sheriffs of Somerset 11th century edit

Sheriffs of Somerset and Dorset edit

11th and 12th century edit

13th century edit

14th century edit

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15th century edit

16th century edit

Sheriffs of Somerset edit

16th and 17th century edit

18th century edit

19th century edit

20th century edit

High Sheriff of Somerset edit

20th century edit

  • 1974: David Tudway-Quilter[7]
  • 1975: Matthew Waley-Cohen[7]
  • 1976: John Stephen Lloyd of Langford Budville[7]
  • 1977: Patrick Henry Daniel[7]
  • 1978: William Rees-Mogg[182]
  • 1979: William Kenneth Bingham Crawford[7]
  • 1980: John Alexander Lindley of Wellington, Somerset[7]
  • 1981: Arthur John Greswell[7]
  • 1982: Peter Gerald Hanning Speke of Rowlands, Ilminster[183]
  • 1983: Charles John de Salis[7]
  • 1984: Charles Edward Brabazon Clive-Ponsonby-Fane[184]
  • 1985: John Samuel Byard White[185]
  • 1986: Ewan James Hanning Cameron of Whitelackington Manor, Ilminster.[186]
  • 1987: Michael James Frederick Carter of Batcombe House, Shepton Mallet[187]
  • 1988: William Alexander Charles Theed of Combe Sydenham Hall, Taunton[188]
  • 1989: Ralph William Vivian-Neal of Poundisford Park, Poundisford, Taunton[189]
  • 1990: Malcolm Henry Alistair Fraser
  • 1991: Ian Crawford MacDonald
  • 1992: Edward William Ayshford Sanford of Chipley Park, Langford Budville[190]
  • 1993: Hon. John Hedworth Jolliffe
  • 1994: Elizabeth Gass, Lady Gass
  • 1995: Roy Scrymgeour Graham Hewett
  • 1996: Christopher Phillip Thomas-Everard
  • 1997: Richard Stanton Roy Sheldon
  • 1998: Micaela Elizabeth Benedicta Beckett
  • 1999: Thomas Andrew Heath Yandle

21st century edit

  • 2000: Angela Betty Yeoman
  • 2001: Thomas Hugh Ruscombe Poole
  • 2002: Robert Ian Hoddell
  • 2003: Brian Michael Tanner
  • 2004: Sandy Evans
  • 2005: Fiona Densham
  • 2006: Alastair Ian Hayward Fyfe[191]
  • 2007: David John Medlock[192]
  • 2008: Anne Caroline Maw of Pilton[193]
  • 2009: John Alvis of Winford[194][195]
  • 2010: Pat A Hunt of Taunton[196]
  • 2011: John Cullum of Bath[197]
  • 2012: Sylvana Margery Glazebrook Chandler of Orchard Wyndham[198]
  • 2013: Maureen E Whitmore of Butcombe[199]
  • 2014: Richard D A Lloyd of Langford Budville, Wellington[200]
  • 2015: Lucy Nelson of Pen Selwood, Wincanton[201]
  • 2016: Edward Bayntun-Coward of Midford, Bath[202]
  • 2017: Richard Saladin Hickmet of Bridgwater [203]
  • 2018: Denis Andrew Southerden Burn of Cleeve, Bristol[204]
  • 2019: Jonathan Alexander Newton Halliday of Corfe, Taunton[205]
  • 2020: Mary-Clare Helene Rodwell of Shepton Mallett[206]
  • 2021: William Henry Thomas Sheppard of Bath
  • 2022: Jennifer Margaret Duke[207]
  • 2023: Robert Nicholas Foord Drewett[208]
  • 2024: Rob Beckley MstJ QPM [209]

References edit