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Alan Titchmarsh ‘Pricked’ Isle Of Wight High Sheriff.

Isle of Wight High Sheriff Alan Titchmarsh.Carolyn Keene reports:   Today, we see television celebrity Alan Titchmarsh (pictured) take on the Queen’s appointment as her High Sheriff of the Isle of Wight.

The new High Sheriff, Alan Titchmarsh was officially ‘pricked’ into action by the Queen last month at Buckingham Palace.  The confirmation was performed by the Queen as she used a silver bodkin to ‘prick’ Alan’s, name into a list written on parchment of new High Sheriffs for England and Wales.

Her Majesty Qeen Elizabeth, has something of a soft spot for the pin-up of the potting shed.  When Titchmarsh, 58, collected his MBE in 2000, he says, she told him: “You’ve given a lot of ladies a lot of pleasure.”

The unique ‘pricking’ ceremony at the Privy Council in Buckingham Palace dates back to the reign of Queen Victoria and is the way monarchs give their royal seal of approval to the incoming High Sheriffs.

Originally the High Sheriff, was the principal law enforcer in the area.  Over time most of the responsibilities of the office have been transferred elsewhere or rendered obsolete, and the functions of the post are now almost entirely ceremonial.

In previous centuries High Sheriffs were empowered to raise a posse to accompany visiting judges round their county, possibly to protect them from relatives or friends of those whose cases they had tried or were scheduled to try.

The only significant legal functions relate to the enforcement of High Court writs.  Under Sheriff will be John Matthews of the H.M.Coroner’s Office.

Alan, nominated for the post last year, takes over the oldest secular office in Britain.  Of which last month the national press were less than kind on reporting the News and many islanders were apparently misquoted in articles regarding the avuncular Mr Titchmarsh.

 

Isle of Wight Community News @Island Pulse.

: Monday : April 7th, 2008 at 8:59 am.

7 Responses to “Alan Titchmarsh ‘Pricked’ Isle Of Wight High Sheriff.”

Smart looking HS Titchmarsh wearing his full Sheriff\’s uniform with sword,on his first day in the unpaid post Good on him to support and encourage voluntary and statutory organisations in all aspects of law and order.

Historically, being High Sheriff involved collecting taxes and maintaining loyalty to the crown but in modern times this has evolved into a largely ceremonial role.

Good Luck Alan.

By Isle of Wight News on April 7th, 2008

[…] Online Community News: www.islandpulse.co.uk « Isle of Wight News April 7, 2008 Alan Titchmarsh ‘Pricked’ Isle Of Wight HighSheriff. […]

By Isle of Wight News Isle of Wight News Daily Updates from the Island Pulse. on April 7th, 2008

[…] The new High Sheriff, Alan Titchmarsh was officially ‘pricked’ into action by the Queen last month at Buckingham Palace.  The confirmation was performed by the Queen as she used a silver bodkin to ‘prick’ Alan’s, name into a list written on parchment of new High Sheriffs for England and Wales. Read more » […]

By Alan Titchmarsh Is Isle of Wight High Sheriff 2008. « Isle of Wight Events on April 7th, 2008

SHERIFF TITCHMARSH`S VOW TO ISLAND
By Clare Wall - Monday, April 7, 2008

Alan Titchmarsh in his \”fabulous costume\” as the Island\’s new High Sheriff. The TV gardener was sworn in for his year in office at the Isle of Wight Crown Court today (Monday). Picture by Peter Boam.TV GARDENER Alan Titchmarsh was sworn in as the Island\’s new High Sheriff this morning (Monday), pledging to do his best for the Island in his year of office.
Formally sworn in at the IW Crown Court in front of 90 guests, including his wife Alison and children Polly and Camilla, Mr Titchmarsh read the ancient declaration with ease.
In his speech, he said: “It has been quite a week. If one of the reasons I was asked to stand as high sheriff was to raise the Island’s profile, I think it is mission accomplished.”
He told the audience he initially turned down the offer of the office of High Sheriff, but later changed his mind.
“Firstly, it was a great honour,” he said. “Secondly, there was a fabulous costume. And thirdly, and most importantly, I could salve my conscience by putting something back into the Island.\”
He said: “The Island is not my second home. I don’t ration the amount of time I spend between homes, neither is this my holiday home. Sitting at my window, with its views of The Solent, writing 100,000 words is not my idea of a holiday.
“I work here, as well as play here.”
He also paid tribute to the Island’s beauty and the warm welcome of Islanders.
“The Island is a part of Britain I think is matchless, for its beauty, its friendliness and its old-fashioned British values. I will do my very best not to let you down,” he said.
John Matthews, although not present for the ceremony, will be Mr Titchmarsh’s under-sheriff.

By IWCP News on April 7th, 2008

Alan Titchmarsh, 58, was today keen to stress his connections with the island, where he owns a home in the yachting town of Cowes.

In a speech at his induction at Isle of Wight Crown Court he said: \”Home is where I hang my hat, and there is no hat that I am more proud to own, or to do justice to, than the hat of High Sheriff.\”

The role of High Sheriff dates back to Saxon times and became a key position in politics, with a range of responsibilities including, until 1971, the macabre duty of witnessing executions.

Much of the power has gone, but the role will mean Mr Titchmarch, awarded the MBE in 2000, will play a key part in promoting the Isle of Wight and raising money for charities.

Mr Titchmarsh - whose native town Ilkley is almost 300 miles from the Island - was invited to take up the post by previous High Sheriff Anthony Goddard, who runs local brewery Goddard\’s.

He said: \”The reason I was asked to do it by the high sheriff of four years ago was clearly my public profile and I am looking forward to doing my bit and raising the profile of the Island.

\”I don\’t regard myself as having a second home on the Island. I am lucky enough to have a home in Hampshire and one on the Island too, but I don\’t regard my home in Cowes as a second one. It is where I write and spend a lot of time. I regard myself as an Islander, love the Island and the way people treat me here.

\”I have had a 20 year association with the Island and want to do my best for it.

\”I am disappointed by the criticism, although I have to say I did expect it. But I am disappointed not for myself but because I see my appointment really positively and I think the criticism takes away from that,\” he said.

\”I will still be on TV, I will still be writing, and doing as much as I can to further the reputation of the Island. This is a place that prizes itself on individuality, distinct from insularity. As high sheriff I am not blind to the Island\’s problems. I am no Pollyanna determined to only see the good, but I am willing to try to help make it even better.

\”That is, I hope, preferable than coming over here and disappearing from view. To those who ask what\’s he doing in his job? My answer is \’my bit\’.\”

Although the 12-month, unpaid post is largely ceremonial, feelings on his appointment ran high.

Barbara Foster, councillor for Carisbrooke West, said: \”I must say that when it was announced many residents said to me, \’That\’s an odd thing, why?\’.

\”We were all surprised. I just don\’t know how Alan\’s going to cope with it, given that his main home is on the mainland. He\’ll have dozens of engagements.

In a sign of sensitivity towards Islanders\’ feelings, the website dedicated to the High Sheriff of the Isle of Wight gave the holiday flat in West Cowes, which Titchmarsh bought for £150,000 in 1999, as his address rather than his home on the mainland.

By Wight High Sheriff Ladies Daily Male News on April 7th, 2008

New Wight High Sheriff In Cutting Edge Role.

By Island Pulse News: New Wight High Sheriff on April 7th, 2008

[…] Contrary to national press reports, it would appear Islanders are also happy with this appointment, of which must be noted was by none other than Her Majesty the Queen. […]

By Isle of Wight High Sheriff ‘Chuffed’ With Appointment. « Isle of Wight News Daily Updates from the Island Pulse. on April 8th, 2008

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