Island Life Magazine Ltd October/November 2010 | Page 37

Island Life - October/November 2010

interview

asked him what he did and he replied ‘I’m a burglar, ain’t I?
My dad’s a burglar, and everyone down our road is a burglar.
So what am I going to do – be a doctor?’ I think I grew up
after he said that.”
Judi was appointed a deputy lieutenant and became
chairman of the Island Magistrates in 1990s, and about the
same time asked if I would like to become High Sheriff. She
had four years’ notice to prepare for that, and became High
Sheriff in April 1996.
“There was no way I could take on such a role without
the full support of Dickie, and we knew it was such a huge
honour. It was very demanding; I had 200 engagements and
a lot of meetings. I worked hard, but I loved it – I wouldn’t
have missed it for anything,” she said.
In her role she was invited to all the fire stations on the
Island. As she was about to set off her car refused to start,
so Dickie came to the rescue. She explained: “We travelled to
Newport in Dickie’s farm van - a beaten up filthy dirty banger
of a van - to be met by the Fire Chief. He said to give the van
keys to one of the officers and he would take it to where the
tour would finish. Then Dickie told him ‘you will have to put
some petrol in it, because it’s on empty’.
Awarded an MBE for her services to the Island community,
Judi also campaigned for every child on the Island to drink
milk in school. An EU subsidy was available but had never
been taken up, so she worked tirelessly to raise the profile of
milk, and highlight the health benefits. She said: “I will not
rest until every child in school on the Isle of Wight has the
opportunity to drink milk which has been produced on the
Island at a subsidised price.”
Other duties have included Guides president from 1997
to 2002; Home Start (IW) patron from 1996 to present;
Challenge and Adventure committee member from its start
about 15 years ago; RCC President; Age Concern President;
Asthma Swim Group President and David Hide Asthma and
Allergy Centre Trustee.
She also became Carisbrooke Castle Museum’s Chairman
of Trustees, representing the Lieutenancy. This appointment
comes directly through Princess Beatrice, youngest daughter
of Queen Victoria, and Governor of the Island, who founded
the Museum in 1898 and ran it herself. Just before she died
in 1944 she appointed a committee of Trustees one of whom
had to be a Deputy Lieutenant.
When Judi reached 50 a new interest came into Judi’s life
– that of walking. Since then she has taken part in Walk the
Wight 10 times, walked the Pennine way and West Highland
Way and climbed Helvellyn in the Lake District in snow and
gales. On that trip she became one of ‘Ribby’s Heroes’ named
after leader and great friend Mike Ribeiro. But to many she is
the real hero!

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