New sheriff brings touch of tradition to the streets
THERE was pomp and pageantry as part of the city centre became the scene of a historic tradition, as the new High Sheriff of Greater Manchester was honoured at a special ceremony.
Dignitaries assembled at Manchester Crown Court where a portrait of the new High Sheriff, Dr Robina Shah, a lecturer at the University of Manchester, was ceremonially hung to join her predecessors.
The ceremonial unpaid position of High Sheriff, which dates back 1,000 years, represents the link between the monarchy and the judicial system.
In ancient times the High Sheriff was responsible for law and order, but the office has been superseded in modern times by the police and courts.
At Thursday morning’s ceremony, Dr Shah and other guests were welcomed with a fanfare of trumpets by the police band, and were invited into the court through the ceremonial entrance, which is not usually open to the public.
Other esteemed guests included High Court judges Mr Justice King and Mrs Justice Andrews, as well as the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Coun June Hitchen.
They were welcomed by Judge David Stockdale QC, the Honorary Recorder of Manchester.
Manchester Crown Court’s resident circuit judges were also in attendance for the ceremony.
New High Sheriffs are officially approved during a bizarre pricking ceremony, which dates back to the reign of Elizabeth I.
The Queen uses a silver bodkin - a blunt needle used to thread ribbon through fabric - to pierce a hole next to the person’s name on a piece of parchment called the Lites.
It is understood Elizabeth I was interrupted to appoint a high sheriff during needlework and, ●●Dignitaries including Mrs Justice Andrews and Mr Justice King (front), Honorary Recorder of Manchester David Stockdale QC (far right), the new High Sheriff of Greater Manchester Dr Robina Shah (centre) and Manchester Crown Court judges at the ceremony having nothing to write with, angrily stabbed the parchment with a bodkin.
Dr Shah, from Stockport, is a consultant psychologist and senior lecturer at the university.
She is also a magistrate and a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester. She has also worked as chair of Stockport NHS Foundation Trust.
The academic also has a passion for football, and is an independent non-executive director at Manchester FA and the Football Association Women’s Football Board and Disability Football Committee.
After being appointed by the Queen, she said: “I am truly honoured and humbled to be appointed by Her Majesty the Queen to take the role of High Sheriff.
“It is a huge privilege to be the custodian of this historic public service role.
“I promise to serve the people of Greater Manchester with dignity, humility and sincerity throughout my year of office.
“I will use this role as an opportunity to promote programmes run by our excellent volunteers in organisations that help vulnerable people – especially children, the frail and elderly, carers and others experiencing social and material deprivation.
“As an independent executive director at the FA and Manchester FA I also intend to organise events which bring together the football