Stonehenge
Adventurer David Hempleman-Adams will be swapping his skis and the cold weather of Antarctica for silk stockings and a High Sheriff’s uniform.
He will be sworn in at Swindon County Hall on 23 March 2016 at 2.30pm to become the High Sheriff of Wiltshire for one year.
His theme for the year will be ‘youth’.
He will be visiting schools and youth groups in Wiltshire to promote the office of the High Sheriff and its role in the community.
David said, “I am honoured and privileged to be the High Sheriff of Wiltshire in 2016. I have been privileged to see all the four corners of the world but I still haven’t seen a lot of Wiltshire which I am looking forward to doing during my year as High Sheriff.”
David’s hobby is adventure and he has some notable firsts. He was the first person to achieve the Explorers’ Grand Slam by climbing the highest mountain on each continent and getting to the North and South Magnetic and Geographical Poles.
He has reached the poles a record 20 times, and climbed Everest by the North and the South sides. He has a Pilot’s licence and has 46 Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) World Aviation records.
What is a High Sheriff?
The High Sheriff is the Sovereign’s representative in the County for matters of law and order and the judiciary. It is the oldest secular office in England and Wales after the Crown and modern High Sheriffs still have a close relationship with judges, magistrates, the police, the coroner and the probation service.
Traditional duties include:
· Attendance on any member of the Royal Family visiting the County
· Being prepared to be the Returning Officer at Parliamentary Elections
· Ensuring the well-being and protection of High Court Judges when they visit the County
· Presenting Court awards
