On Tuesday 28 March 2023, the declaration of the new High Sheriff of Rutland, Geraldine Feehally, will take place in a private ceremony at Oakham Castle.

The Office of High Sheriff is a non-political Royal appointment that lasts for one year.

In an annual ceremony held on 12 November in the Royal Courts of Justice, three names are put forward by the Queen's Remembrancer for the office of High Sheriff in each county. Subsequently the selection of every new High Sheriff is made at a Privy Council meeting from the names given.

The Sovereign by ancient custom, uses a silver bodkin to 'prick' a hole through a vellum scroll against the appointed name. Currently there are 55 High Sheriffs, balanced in gender, serving the counties of England and Wales.

 Their past practical tasks of a High Sheriff are now delegated to the legal courts and the Chief Constable of Police, but formal responsibilities still include ensuring the well-being of High Court Judges on circuit, attending Royal visits to the county, acting as a returning officer for parliamentary elections, proclaiming the accession of a new Sovereign and attending ceremonial functions.

Oakham Castle and gates, Rutland. Image credit: Nub News.

High Sheriffs provide support to the Judiciary, the Police, the Emergency Services, the Prison and Probation Services and to agencies involved in crime prevention, particularly with young people. They receive no public funds, instead giving back as an independent, non-political entity, encouraging statutory and voluntary organisations and presenting awards to deserving individuals who have made outstanding contributions to their local communities and the county.

Geraldine Feehally will be taking over the role of High Sheriff of Rutland in 2023, and is passionate about the local area, participating in a range of local clubs and activities, from singing with Rutland Choral Society to growing veg in her allotment.

While Geraldine is passionate about Rutland, England's smallest county, she has also ventured across the globe, teaching in Charleston, USA, and Sekenani in Kenya. In fact, Geraldine was the founder and development director of the first secondary school for girls in the Maasai Mara, Kenya, 2012 - 2019.

She has taught in primary and secondary schools both urban and rural, and retired following a decade working for Leicester City Council, in 2015.

This is when she and her husband moved to Rutland.

They have three sons and five grandchildren, and are passionate about the youth of Rutland, as well as the local area, people, and Monarchy.

Mrs Feehally has been a Beaver Scout leader in Leicestershire, Sunday School team leader and teacher at St Luke's in Thurnby, as well as taking on the role of Empowerment Worker for a homelessness project jointly run by Churches Together in Oakham and Rutland County Council.

The incoming High Sheriff will take over from Mr Geoff Thompson, who will hand over to Mrs Feehally at the Oakham Castle Ceremony at 10am on 28 March 2023.

Dr Sarah Furness, the Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland, will also be in attendance.

Dr Furness has just launched fundraising efforts to cover the cost of erecting a statue of HM Queen Elizabeth II, an event that also took place at Oakham Castle. Read more here.

Oakham Castle recently played host to the launch of Rutland's statue of Queen Elizabeth II. Image credit: Nub News.

Find out more about the High Sheriff of Rutland online.

Alternatively, keep up to date with more local news by signing up to the Oakham Nub News newsletter.