Diane’s pride at becoming High Sheriff
THE next High Sheriff of Greater Manchester has been announced by Buckingham Palace.
Magistrate Diane Hawkins, the deputy chair of the Greater Manchester family, will be installed on April 18 at Bolton Parish Church.
The role of High Sheriff is the oldest secular title in British history.
Diane will represent the Queen’s interests in everything to do with law and order in Greater Manchester while she holds office.
Diane, who succeeds the current High Sheriff Eamonn O’Neal, said: “It is a great honour and a privilege to be appointed High Sheriff by Her Majesty the Queen. During the coming year, it will be important to do all that I can to open doors for everyone, particularly in the voluntary sector, as we start to rebuild after the devastation of Covid-19. Eamonn will be a hard act to follow as he has demonstrated his ingenuity in being High Sheriff during the pandemic, but I’m excited to continue his good work and will enjoy putting my own spin on the role.”
DAME Helen Mirren has joined forces with Damian Lewis to pay tribute to the Queen ahead of her 95th birthday.
The 75-year-old actress, who won an Oscar for her 2006 big-screen role as the monarch, and the Homeland star, 50, have narrated a series of stories about British kings and queens from throughout history.
Each piece has been set to music by contemporary composer Debbie Wiseman, who was originally asked to create a soundtrack for the Queen’s official birthday parade in June, before it was put on hold due to ongoing coronavirus restrictions.
Titled The Music Of Kings And Queens, the album will tell the story of the making of the United Kingdom through 12 monarchs, beginning with William the Conqueror and ending with the current day Queen.
Each royal will be introduced with a story from Dame Helen and Lewis and accompanied by a piece of music from Grammynominated composer Wiseman embodying the monarch’s individual character.
The words were written by event producer and director Simon Brooks-Ward, who was involved in organising the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations.