GREATER MANCHESTER News from and about members

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Above: Paul Lee with Civic YYEAR as High Sheriff has The law has many facets, and aparticular focus Heads attending the flown by,and Ihaveenjoyed for the High Sheriff is the courts, aworld largely Mayor of Wigan’sCharity everyminute of it. unknown to me, having spent just over 40 years Ball at Haigh Hall on 20 M It has been an immense as acorporate lawyer.Therefore, the opportunity March 2015 honour for me to join with the Lord-Lieutenant to attend Crown Court, sit with the judges –and in welcoming royal visitors to our county.The indeed dine with them very regularly –has been opportunity to entertain HerMajesty’s High Court particularly interesting. Judges in Manchester has been another delight, In 2014, the centenaryofthe outbreak of through which Ihavesought to highlight the World WarOne was marked throughout the vibrant educational and cultural aspects of Greater county with many services of commemoration. Manchester which may not always be so apparent Therewerelarge, formal services in cathedrals but to busy visitors. among the morepoignant and personal, perhaps, Greater Manchester comprises 10 boroughs. was the unveiling in Park in of a Asignificant partofthe role, therefore, is to be commemorativepaving stone to markthe awardof with the mayors at some of their ownceremonial the to Sgt John Hogan. occasions, and that has been great fun. Ialso wished to understand moreabout the

34 High Sheriff | Summer 2015 News from and about members

public and voluntarysectors during the course of Manchester of which Iwas previously less well Below: The High Sheriff flanked by Nigel Travis my year.Ihavebeen fortunate in spending some informed. Iwill take with me from my year a (left) and Mike Dillon, time with the police (including anight shift), the determination to continue to encourage social Moss Side Boxing Club fireservice and the probation and prison services. cohesion, racial and religious tolerance and and, below,members of the Club In Greater Manchester the workdone to co-operation, and supportfor related charities. It supportthe homeless, addicts and the unemployed has truly been awonderful year for me. is hugely impressive. Ihaveseen for myself the outstanding workdone by such charities as the Paul Lee Booth Centre, the Message Tr ust, RECLAIM and High Sheriff of Greater Manchester 2014-15 others. Ichose to supportone charity in particular, Access Sport, during my year as High Sheriff.The charity aims to givemorechildren, especially those in disadvantaged areas, access to awide range of quality local sport. Access Sportwill nowbe able to create 15 neworenhanced, volunteer led, sustainable community sportclubs. This includes working with the fireservice and the police to extend some of the facilities they already operate, such as Moss Side Boxing Club at Moss Side Fire Station. Iamacommitted believer in interfaith co-operation and the strengthening of dialogue among people of different religions and people of no religion. It has thereforebeen agreat honour to be High Sheriff of Greater Manchester which is awonderfully diverse county,with all races, cultures and religions making ahuge contribution to its community.Myvisits to various synagogues, mosques, Christian churches and cathedrals and other places of worship haveall underlined for me the very real benefit of dialogue, and the understanding and tolerance which can result from that. It has been avaried year,allowing me to experience many facets of life in Greater

Shot with the (US) Sheriffs

The immediate past High SheriffofGreater Manchester,George Almond, met areal Sheriff and his Under Sheriffatarecent 9/11 memorial event in the City of Alexandria, Virginia USA, when they took the opportunity to discuss their respective roles. Mr Almond said he 'learnt that their Sheriff's Office is not dissimilar to that of our High Sheriffs’ of old, inasmuch as they areresponsible for the operation of the Detention Centre, courthouse, service of legal documents, execution of court orders, transportation of prisoners and execution of arrest warrants together with general law Left to right: George Almond CBE DL, SheriffDana Lawthorne and Under SheriffTim Gleeson enforcement.'

Summer 2015 | High Sheriff 35