Diary of the High Sheriff
Mary Case gives an insight into her first few weeks
as the new High Sheriff of the Isle of Wight
I’ve had an interesting
time since my declaration
on April 8. Nothing can
prepare you for the feeling
you get as you walk down
the High Street in your
uniform and a complete
stranger congratulates you.
As if by magic invitations
appear from large and
small organisations inviting
you to attend a variety of
events.
One of my first events
was the exhibition marking
the centenary of the death
of John Milne. It was
opened by His Excellency
Mr Keiichi Hayashi, the
Japanese Ambassador to the
UK.
Professor John Milne is
known as the Father of
seismology and credited
with the invention of the
Horizontal Pendulum
Seismograph, and there is
no doubt the Japanese hold
him in high esteem.
I had a delightful evening at the Isle of Arts Festival in
Ventnor; I’d been invited to present the prizes for the
short story competition in association with Bob and
Carol Brigstock and the Wight Fair Writers’ Group.
Entrants had to write a short story about Dr Who
which incorporated their favourite alien, this year is
the 50th anniversary of Dr Who on our TV screens.
Prize winners were under 12’s Harlen Hunte; 12 to 18
years Rebekah Sealey; adult Michelle Angell. Thanks
to Gillian Jenner and her fellow volunteers who give
so much of their time and effort to produce such an
interesting event.
Another organisation that relies
heavily on the good will and
dedication of volunteers is The
Earl Mountbatten Hospice. I was
delighted to be asked to open their
new charity shop in Cowes, filled
with a huge array of up cycled
goods, I love shopping in Charity
shops; you never know what you’re
going to find and all the proceeds
go to a worthy cause.
I was also invited to help present
the medals to those who had
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completed the Walk the Wight.
The day started warm and sunny
but by the time most had made
it to the Needles it was cold, wet
and blowing a gale. Despite the
weather there was a wonderful sense
of achievement and some very sore
legs.
Walk the Wight also relies on the
dedication of so many volunteers
and local business’ to make the
event such a success, so well done!