North Yorkshire has a new High Sheriff - the first to be appointed by His Majesty King Charles III.
Professional artist Clare Granger took over the role from James Lambert at a prestigious ceremony at York Crown Court on Monday in the presence of the Deputy Lieutenant, Philip Ingham, Lady Justice King DBE and HHJ Sean Morris, the Recorder of York. The Office of High Sheriff is an independent non-political Royal appointment for a single year. Duties include supporting the Crown and the judiciary. In addition, High Sheriffs lend support and encouragement to crime prevention agencies, the emergency services and to the voluntary sector. Many High Sheriffs also assist community foundations and local charities working with vulnerable and other people both in endorsing and helping to raise the profile of their valuable work. Ms Granger seeks to raise awareness of the value of the arts in the areas of mental health and the criminal justice system.
In her declaration speech, she said: “We are all aware how many people are suffering with their mental health particularly following the pandemic. The arts has a huge role to play in helping people to find a way of coping.” She also spoke of the need to support the very valuable work of the police in the county. Ms Granger qualified as a solicitor and worked in York before changing her career and becoming a professional artist. Having trained in Florence, she has been represented by a London Gallery for 20 years. She is a school governor, a champion of IDAS, the domestic violence charity and a patron of Henshaws, a charity which supports people with a range of disabilities. Ms Granger said: “I am deeply honoured to have been appointed to this role and I look forward enormously to meeting, thanking and supporting, where I can, the judiciary, those who work in the emergency services and the wonderful volunteers who are working so hard in our county.”
L-R: HHJ Simon Hickey, Edward Granger, Mark Granger, Clare Granger High Sheriff of North Yorkshire, Lady Justice King DBE, Philip Ingham DL, James Lambert OBE Retiring High Sheriff, Peter Worth JP, HHJ Sean Morris, Recorder of York (06-04-25 SU)
