‘My Year as High Sheriff’ Rosemary Hawley

On the evening of the 28 October 2010, Rosemary Hawley gave us a very personal insight into the role, trials and tribulations of being High Sheriff of Merseyside. Rosemary’s interests were very varied before she became High Sheriff but focussed mainly on offering practical help to those in need. However, she, in typical unassuming style was surprised, deeply honoured yet very anxious when the she, the Vicar of Kirkby’s wife was invited to become High Sheriff. Nevertheless, she accepted the duty, commissioned and helped design a wonderful dress to compliment the lace frills of office and started to plan her year.
She was appointed High Sheriff at a health centre in Kirkby with many children in attendance. Her chosen theme for the year was Safety, Health and Learning. Her journey led her through the five boroughs of Merseyside; driving along its roads, sailing up its rivers and canals and flying in our skies. She reminded us of the historic county’s five Boroughs: Liverpool, Knowsley, Sefton, St. Helens and Wirral and explained the inherited closeness of Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside through the celebrated Duchy of Lancaster which is still very pertinent to the recruitment of our armed forces as well as toasts at Dinners of State.
Rosemary then turned her recollections to working with the judiciary. We were told that as High Sheriff she had sat, with High Court Judges on some high profile trials in Liverpool. After working with them all day, the High Sheriff entertained them at her home, in the Cathedral Close and took visiting judges to the Philharmonic Hall and local theatres.
Another part of the role of High Sheriff was to meet and greet royalty when they visited Merseyside. One of the royals she entertained was Prince Andrew. When visiting a school to lead an assembly on the work of the High Sheriff, one of our own princesses asked if she were the High Sheriff who was the Low Sheriff.
In the course of her year Rosemary was fortunate enough to have the use of the cathedral for functions as her husband Anthony is Dean to the Cathedral. The highlight she shared was the Judges’ Service where Dame Anne Owers DBE Chief Inspector of Prisons addressed the congregation in place of a sermon.
Her most treasured memories however, were related to her contribution to the Citizenship Ceremonies. It is now compulsory for those people accepting British Citizenship to formally declare their allegiance to our country in a public forum with a dignitary ptresent and sing the National Anthem. The Lord Mayor of Liverpool asked Rosemary to perform this duty on his behalf and she enjoyed it so much, she is still involved in this service today.

Rosemary not only enjoyed meeting people from all walks of life but more importantly being able to ensure the realisation of positive change to people’s day to day circumstances.
We finished up with a short question and answer session. One question was did she put any weight on due to the number of sumptuous events and banquets she attended; and the answer was no.
Rosemary was thanked for her most enjoyable memoirs and the evening ended with a cheese and wines supper, chat and merriment. The contribution made to the Building Fund from this evening was £225. A big thank you to all who contributed.
On the evening of the 28 October 2010, Rosemary Hawley gave us a very personal insight into the role, trials and tribulations of being High Sheriff of Merseyside. Rosemary’s interests were very varied before she became High Sheriff but focussed mainly on offering practical help to those in need. However, she, in typical unassuming style was surprised, deeply honoured yet very anxious when the she, the Vicar of Kirkby’s wife was invited to become High Sheriff. Nevertheless, she accepted the duty, commissioned and helped design a wonderful dress to compliment the lace frills of office and started to plan her year.
She was appointed High Sheriff at a health centre in Kirkby with many children in attendance. Her chosen theme for the year was Safety, Health and Learning. Her journey led her through the five boroughs of Merseyside; driving along its roads, sailing up its rivers and canals and flying in our skies. She reminded us of the historic county’s five Boroughs: Liverpool, Knowsley, Sefton, St. Helens and Wirral and explained the inherited closeness of Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside through the celebrated Duchy of Lancaster which is still very pertinent to the recruitment of our armed forces as well as toasts at Dinners of State.
Rosemary then turned her recollections to working with the judiciary. We were told that as High Sheriff she had sat, with High Court Judges on some high profile trials in Liverpool. After working with them all day, the High Sheriff entertained them at her home, in the Cathedral Close and took visiting judges to the Philharmonic Hall and local theatres.
Another part of the role of High Sheriff was to meet and greet royalty when they visited Merseyside. One of the royals she entertained was Prince Andrew. When visiting a school to lead an assembly on the work of the High Sheriff, one of our own princesses asked if she were the High Sheriff who was the Low Sheriff.
In the course of her year Rosemary was fortunate enough to have the use of the cathedral for functions as her husband Anthony is Dean to the Cathedral. The highlight she shared was the Judges’ Service where Dame Anne Owers DBE Chief Inspector of Prisons addressed the congregation in place of a sermon.
Her most treasured memories however, were related to her contribution to the Citizenship Ceremonies. It is now compulsory for those people accepting British Citizenship to formally declare their allegiance to our country in a public forum with a dignitary ptresent and sing the National Anthem. The Lord Mayor of Liverpool asked Rosemary to perform this duty on his behalf and she enjoyed it so much, she is still involved in this service today.

Rosemary not only enjoyed meeting people from all walks of life but more importantly being able to ensure the realisation of positive change to people’s day to day circumstances.
We finished up with a short question and answer session. One question was did she put any weight on due to the number of sumptuous events and banquets she attended; and the answer was no.
Rosemary was thanked for her most enjoyable memoirs and the evening ended with a cheese and wines supper, chat and merriment. The contribution made to the Building Fund from this evening was £225. A big thank you to all who contributed.