THE HIGH SHERIFF
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break
High Sheriff's Diary
by Mary Case
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High Sheriff
has been up
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I
have to say the year has been
brilliant, and I am so glad I did it
because I will never get another
opportunity to do what I have done
over the last 12 months. Before I became
High Sheriff it did seem a daunting
prospect, but I think it has been more
enjoyable than I anticipated. It was a leap
into the unknown, but everyone has been
so friendly and helpful.
Some of the events I have been to have
given me an insight into certain aspects of
life on the Island that I didn't know were
there. I have found it extraordinary how
many people here are beavering away
behind the scenes to make things happen.
The number of volunteers on the
Island is just incredible, and should be
celebrated. Many people care passionately
about things and want to make other
people’s lives better. There have been
many highlights, including of course the
high swing from the top of Carisbrooke
Church, which I abseiled down!
Gilding the Gilton Beast was one of the
nicest times because of my agricultural
connections, and I also went to East
44
www.visitilife.com
Cowes allotments and had a lovely day.
There were some super ladies who were
cooking produce that had been grown
in the gardens, and I had a great time
talking vegetables.
One of the most emotional experiences
was going to the Island Highland Games at
Robin Hill. All the bands came marching
in towards me, and they were playing
"The number of volunteers
on the Island is just
incredible, and should be
celebrated."
‘Highland Cathedral’, and I shall never
hear that tune again without thinking of
that day. It was amazing, as is the work of
the local street pastors, who help the police
and true community so much.
I was a judge at the Fit Cook competition
at the IW College, with children cooking
with local produce, and the winners
went on to compete on the mainland,
and I had a lovely day at the Old Gaffers’
Festival at Yarmouth where everyone
treated me so well. There were lots of
people doing a huge amount to help
make the day go so well. In fact, all the
shows I attended were so well organised,
from the smallest to the largest.
It was a moving experience to lay a
wreath on Remembrance Sunday at the
war memorial in St. Thomas Square,
Newport, and another thing that made
me think about life was visiting HMP Isle
of Wight. There is another world behind
those walls.
It has been a busy year, but no matter
how tired you are you have to remember
it is for only one year, and you cannot
miss an opportunity, even though there
is no limit to the number of Christmas
Carol concerts thou can go to. But I
enjoyed them all, because they were all
different in their own way, as were the
many awards evenings I attended; the
musical performances of local bands and
artists I saw. Overall, it has been a truly
memorable year as High Sheriff.