A year in the life of Devon’s High Sheriff: Mark Ansell’s diary
Devon’s High Sheriff Mark Ansell is documenting his year in the role in our monthly diary. Mark lives near Bideford. He’s a successful entrepreneur in the engineering world, and is following in the footsteps of his grandfather and father who were both High Sheriffs of Devon.
Saturday 3rd October – Citizens Advice Exeter 80th Birthday
An evening visit to the Guildhall in Exeter to celebrate 80 years of Citizens Advice Exeter. Set up in 1946 just after the end of World War II, the organisation is needed just as much today as it was then, despite a very different world and all that brings.
The key message from the evening was how the organisation’s success is down to its amazing volunteers as there are actually very few paid members of staff. I remain in awe of all the wonderful volunteering that goes on by good kind people such as those at Citizens Advice who are dedicated to helping people find solutions to their problems. Volunteering is such a great way to help your local community!
Tuesday 6th October – Bristol Legal Service & SS Great Britain tour
My wife Sarah and I are guests of the High Sheriff of Bristol for the fine occasion of the Bristol Legal Service.
The day begins with a tour of the magnificent SS Great Britain, ‘the boat that changed the world’. The pioneering iron-hulled steamship was a true hybrid as she could also sail if the winds weren’t favourable or the coal ran out. She travelled to America and Australia in record times. Designed by the great British engineer, Isambard Kingdon Brunel, she was the first iron steamer to cross the Atlantic Ocean, and during the mid-1800s made many trips to America and Australia. A must-see for anyone interested in maritime history, engineering, or our heritage in the West Country.
Sunday 11th October – Hampshire Legal Service, Winchester Cathedral
A fabulous occasion with a gathering of High Sheriffs from the southwest. My first ever visit to Winchester Cathedral, the longest medieval cathedral in the world at 170m. The High Sheriff of Hampshire, William Maltby, has chosen as the theme for his year in office sport for the young and disadvantaged, especially as a force for good in crime prevention. This is something I strongly believe in and it is great to hear some of these young people reading the prayers in the cathedral, and to meet them afterwards.
Thursday 15th October- Let’s Face It Exhibition
A visit to Christ Church, Barnstaple to see the Homelessness: Let’s Face It installation which is travelling around the southwest. It is a sobering truth that for many people in our county it only needs a few things to go wrong for them to suddenly find themselves homeless, and this installation reinforces that. At the church it is great to meet Deacon Sheralee and Patrick, a young man with great taste as he’s a ‘gooner’!
Sunday 18th October- Trafalgar day service of the Exeter Flotilla
Myself and my two cadets Bethany and Haydn are invited to the Trafalgar Day service of the Exeter Flotilla at Exeter Cathedral. An annual celebration of Nelson’s famous victory at Trafalgar, his humanity and Christian faith.
Wednesday 21st October- Farms for City Children, Iddesleigh
Sarah and I return to Farms For City Children at Nethercott House, accompanied by Claire Moody from Earth Action North Devon. I went earlier on in the year and wanted a more in-depth understanding of all they do. We see the amazing variety of crops growing on site including the spectacular Egyptian cucumbers which you can either eat as a vegetable or use for a scrub in the shower as a loofah!
60% of the food the children eat whilst there is reared or grown on site. It properly connects the youngsters with the reality of nature and where their food comes from, as well as giving them life experiences they will never forget.
Friday 23rd October – British Empire Medal Investiture ceremony at County Hall, Exeter
Supporting the Lord Lieutenant of Devon as he presents British Empire Medals to Devonians who have done amazing things for their communities.
Tuesday 27th October – Appledore Royal National Lifeboat Institute
Not many people know (I didn’t and I’ve lived in Bideford for 20+ years!) that Appledore in the Torridge Estuary was the first ever RNLI station.
We hear more about the history from Treasurer Mike Bligh and crew member Owen Atkinson. Appledore RNLI is now in its 201st year and is apparently the only place in Devon today that has three lifeboats. Of special relevance to me is the current midsize lifeboat, the Glanely, named after Lord Glanely, who started life as Bill Tatem in Bideford before running away to sea aged 14 to make his fortune in shipping. I spent 17 years working for a company that was also named after him, Tatem Ltd. So many great RNLI volunteers do so much fantastic lifesaving work - inspiring to see!
Wednesday 28th October – HMP Eastwood Park, Gloucestershire
It comes as a surprise to most people that only 4% of the prison population are women, so there are far fewer women's prisons and they cover a much wider area. With the High Sheriffs of Cornwall, Somerset, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire we visit Devon's nearest women's prison, HMP Eastwood Park in Gloucestershire. The prison governor explained some sad facts - the vast majority of women prisoners are victims first and more than half are the victims of domestic abuse. Compassion and kindness are therefore key values for the prison staff, as demonstrated by what we see and hear on our visit.
Thursday 29th October – Exeter Crown Court
One of the traditional duties of the High Sheriff is to provide some hospitality for any High Court Judge who sits on a case in your county. This week Judge Judd is sitting in the Family Court in Exeter, so I sit in court with her in the morning and then entertain her and her clerk with lunch before the afternoon session. High Court Judges hear the most challenging and complicated cases that come to court.
Saturday 31st October – Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at CTCRM, Lympstone
Along with one of the Deputies to the Lord Lieutenant, Major General Bill O’Leary, Sarah and I are lucky enough to be VIP guests at this service in Falklands Hall at the training centre of the Royal Marines. A fine evening of personal testimonies, storytelling and music to express the nation’s gratitude to Armed Forces personnel past and present.