Who is the High Sheriff?

In March each year, the Queen appoints a new High Sheriff in Surrey. In theory, this man or woman is the Sovereign’s legal representative in the county. In practice, today it is largely a ceremonial role, but one of the oldest in the land, dating back to Anglo-Saxon times (the name then was ‘Shire Reeve’).

The High Sheriff has had historic links with law and order since the 10th century. That’s what makes the High Sheriff Youth Awards so important today. They recognise that, in the 21st century, young people themselves play a key role in helping reduce crime and bad behaviour. By applying for an award to make your community in Surrey safer, you are continuing over 1,000 years of tradition.

The High Sheriff of Surrey for 2008-09 is Sally Varah. The badge she wears shows a green star with 11 points, one for each borough or district in the county. Her overall aim is to make all of Surrey an ever safer and better place in which to live, and to work with young people to do that.

Sally Varah is working actively to encourage young people to get involved in sport – and to find ways in which sports projects can help prevent and reduce crime. That’s why she is making a one-off £500 High Sheriff Youth Award, in memory of her late husband, Michael Varah. The special award will go to the project that most effectively promotes sport in Surrey by keeping young people off the streets and getting them interested in sporting activities. It can be anything from athletics and football, to netball or darts. That £500 is money on top of any other grant made by the High Sheriff Youth Award scheme.

The successful project, selected from all those that apply in the normal way between now and the end of 2008, will receive the cheque in March 2009. So if you have a sports project, why not apply now?

When members of the Royal Family come to Surrey to visit people, projects and places, Sally Varah is one of those who welcome them. The historic Crown Court Service in October is one of many ceremonial duties during her year as High Sheriff. Wearing a distinctive High Sheriff’s uniform, she leads a procession of Her Majesty’s judges and magistrates through the centre of Guildford, so maintaining links with law and order in Surrey that go back 10 centuries.