Dame Fiona Reynolds CBE DBE was formally installed as the new High Sheriff of Gloucestershire at Gloucester Cathedral.
The service, attended by community leaders, representatives of the judiciary, local organisations and members of the public marked the beginning of Dame Fiona’s year in office.
Dame Fiona, who has lived near Cirencester since 2002, brings to the role a lifetime of leadership in public service, conservation, rural affairs and education. She currently serves as Chair of the National Audit Office, the Governing Council of the Royal Agricultural University, the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England, the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission, and Cambridge University’s Botanic Garden.
Deeply rooted in Gloucestershire life, Dame Fiona is Patron of New Brewery Arts in Cirencester, President of the Cirencester History Festival, President of the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, and a Vice-President of CPRE both nationally and in the county. Her distinguished career includes serving as Master of Emmanuel College, Cambridge; Director-General of the National Trust; Director of the Women’s Unit in the Cabinet Office; Director of the Council for the Protection of Rural England; and Secretary to the Council for National Parks. She is the author of The Fight for Beauty (2016).
Resplendent in blue velvet, white ruffles and earrings made by Gloucestershire Guild Tim Blades, and speaking about her appointment, Dame Fiona said: “It is a great honour to serve as High Sheriff of Gloucestershire, and I look forward to using this role to champion the vitality, resilience and beauty of rural Gloucestershire while getting below the surface to understand the challenges and opportunities rural communities face.”
The installation began with a procession from the Law Courts to the Cathedral of the Civic Procession, the Legal Procession, and the High Sheriff’s Procession which included the three ‘Cotswold Lion’ sheep named Valerie, Ursula and Robert led by Steve and Lynne Parkes and his family from Stow-on-the-Wold. During the ceremony, the outgoing High Sheriff, Julie Kent MBE announced the declaration followed by Dame Fiona, as High Sheriff in Nomination, solemnly declaring to ‘truly serve The King’s Majesty in the Office of High Sheriff of the County of Gloucestershire…’. After the hour-long ceremony concluded at 4pm, guests enjoyed refreshments and conversation in Gloucester Cathedral’s stunning cloisters.
Dame Fiona succeeds Julie Kent MBE and a long line of High Sheriffs whose origins date back over one thousand years, and she will serve the county for the coming year, supporting the judiciary, the emergency services, voluntary organisations and community initiatives whilst providing a spotlight on rural heritage and life across Gloucestershire.
She welcomes requests to visit and attend events in the county and has planned a series of monthly walks in different parts of the county to explore all aspects of rural Gloucestershire. Details available on her website www.damefionareynoldsgloshighsheriff.com
