News from and about members

Taking the Shrievalty virtual

OF COURSE it has been a challenging organisations involved, I approached a year to be and not without brilliant Cornish community hub, which significant disappointment in events had set up its own broadcast studio missed. But it also represented a early in the pandemic. The CHAOS blank page and a once in a generation (Community Helping All of Society) opportunity to reshape the traditional Group agreed to run The High Sheriff shrieval year and role. Little did I of Cornwall Briefings as a partnership know at the beginning of the year that with CHAOS TV. The briefings research, script writing and broadcast would run as part of the CHAOS skills would be required. programming and sit permanently on a I had always planned to focus my year dedicated CHAOS Vimeo page. of office on supporting those individuals The High Sheriff Briefings were and organisations who underpin the streamed as ten separate programmes, work of the police in the community, where I interviewed individuals working with vulnerable people in representing a range of organisations The High Sheriff Briefings: Kate Holborow, interviewing Elisabeth and David Carney- the areas of domestic abuse, sexual supporting various struggling groups Haworth from Operation Encompass (linking violence, mental health issues, alcohol within our communities. schools and police forces to support children addiction and drug abuse. COVID The programmes were promoted living with domestic abuse) for CHAOS TV has made the work of these groups via both the CHAOS and High Sheriff even more crucial and challenging. of Cornwall social media feeds as well I was intending to host a series as a newsletter to the broader High of High Sheriff briefings where I Sheriffs’ network. would throw a spotlight on a few of Like many fellow High Sheriffs across the impressive and indeed humbling the country I also faced the challenge organisations I have met this year, aiming of making the traditional Legal Service to give profile to those causes which work online. In fact this proved the don’t always receive the recognition they opportunity to thread and bring together deserve. Unfortunately infection levels themes and initiatives from across my got the better of us – and it was all put year. I could not have done this without on hold first in September and then the support and ‘can do’ attitude of the finally at the end of January. Cathedral team who wholeheartedly ‘Virtual’ was obviously the way threw themselves behind the challenge of forward and to give it legs, endorsement making this very different Legal Service Cornwall’s first virtual Legal Service: Kate Holborow in Truro Cathedral, with a and importantly traction for the memorable and impactful, while still performance by 17-year-old ballet dancer containing the traditional celebration of Aston Purnell the judiciary in Cornwall. Under the umbrella theme of ‘A ‘unsung heroes’ who with dedication and Brighter Future’, some of Cornwall’s selflessness play such a crucial role in our brightest young musical, dance and communities. Two recipients of The High even motor racing talent were invited Sheriff of Cornwall Unsung Hero Awards through my chosen charity Young & also featured in the service. Talented Cornwall to contribute to Our successors will undoubtedly Cornwall’s Legal Service. The service have more opportunity for face-to-face was put together from filming both in engagement and events in their shrieval the cathedral and from outside, with the year. Nevertheless this pandemic year has Dean, my Chaplain, Truro’s Honorary succeeded in illustrating the modern-day Recorder and the Chief Constable all virtual role for the High Sheriff, with new Photo credit Paul Williams Paul credit Photo speaking on the subject of A Brighter opportunities to build on. Monique Collins of DISC receiving the Future. High Sheriff of Cornwall Unsung Hero Award from Kate Holborow, with Jane Hartley DL, Throughout my year of office I Kate Holborow DL Chair of the Cornwall Community Foundation had recognised and supported those High Sheriff of Cornwall 2020-21

Summer 2021 | High Sheriff 13