Past President and Honorary Member of PEOPIL, John Pickering, Appointed High of South by Her Majesty the Queen

John Pickering a former President and Honorary Member of PEOPIL was recently appointed as the High Sheriff of South Yorkshire by her Majesty the Queen for the period 2019/2020.

The office of High Sheriff can be traced back to the seventh century when the Saxons divided their kingdoms into more practical administrative regions they named . A was a community leader and each soon had its reeve, shire-reeve or sheriff. He was a royal appointment with the duties of collecting revenues from the shire; raising armed forces; and administering justice in the shire court.

Today the High Sheriff is still a royal appointment and every March The Queen pricks the name of each High Sheriff on parchment, just as Elizabeth I did centuries before. The role remains unpaid and without expense claims.

The High Sheriff supported by his wife, Under Sheriff and Chaplain visits the , courts, prisons, charities and those who work with them for the County. The role is completely non-political. We are there to recognise those who have done exceptional work; to bring people together; and to facilitate things which need to be done.

Commenting on John’s appointment as an High Sheriff Dr Wolfgang Resch CEO of PEOPIL said today “PEOPIL are delighted that John Pickering had been appointed to this prestigious position. John has been a strong supporter of PEOPIL over many years and is indeed one of the Founder Members of PEOPIL.

Dr Resch added “All members of PEOPIL wish John further success in his new role as High Sheriff”.

John Pickering, High Sheriff of South Yorkshire on Remembrance Day 2019