Awards Presented By The High Sheriff Mrs. Caroline Peel

The Island’s High Sheriff Mrs Caroline Peel has presented the High Sheriff’s Community Awards to Island shopkeepers who have gone the extra mile to serve the community during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Awards were presented to Bembridge Farm Shop, St Lawrence Post Office, Brighstone Stores, Gurnard Nisa and Rashley’s in Cowes.

Mrs Peel said: “I felt that it was so important that those members of the community who had gone the extra mile to help their customers, both regular and occasional, should be recognised for their achievement. All have been wonderful and set about the herculean task of keeping the show on the road with charm and good humour.”
However, there may be more awards on the way, as Mrs Peel said that she would very much like to hear from IW Observer readers of other examples of businesses that have gone ‘above and beyond’ what might be expected of them during the pandemic. You can make a nomination by emailing iwhighsheriff@gmail.com.

The role of High Sheriff is an independent non-political Royal appointment for a single year dating 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 collecting taxes.

Today, there are 55 High Sheriffs in England and Wales. The role has evolved greatly although supporting the Crown and the judiciary remains central. High Sheriffs also support crime prevention agencies, the emergency services and the voluntary sector. Many High Sheriffs also assist organisations supporting vulnerable and other people.
High Sheriffs receive no pay and no there is no cost to the public purse, in fact considerable personal expense falls to the office holders.