We were thrilled to have a special guest visit us – the High Sheriff of the Isle of Wight
But first – What is a High Sheriff?
Google says –
“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.”
Nowadays as there’s a lot more law and order going on and so the role is more of a ceremonial one with a strong fund raising side – Caroline Peel, our current High Sheriff of the Isle of Wight was already involved with the Bembridge Guild of the RNLI, and was instrumental in topping up the appeal for the new Bembridge station in 2010 by raising more than £250,000 at a ball in London. She has organised other successful fundraising events for the Island Board of the RNLI.
She is certainly an inspirational woman and who better to meet our aspiring HTP Students and grooms – Caroline is a horse lover and Donald was even lucky enough to share her trebor mints!