A sunny morning at Oakham Castle saw the official declaration of Rutland's 627th High Sheriff.

The role of High Sheriff dates as far back as Saxon times, when the role involved maintaining law and order within the county and collecting taxes for the Crown.

While the role no longer involves harassing landowners for rent or sending people to the stocks, the position of High Sheriff still holds a significant cultural importance, both in Rutland and across England and Wales.

The service was packed with local dignitaries, previous High Sheriffs, the Lord Lieutenant of Rutland and neighbouring counties and representatives from organisations, all marking this historic annual occasion.

For the last year, the role has been held by Col (Retd) Richard Chesterfield, who filled the role with passion, enthusiasm and a real joy at being able to celebrate the best the country's smallest county has to offer.

On paper, the role of High Sheriff is to promote law and order in the county, creating a branch between the magistrates and courts, police and residents.

However, there is much more to the role than that. As exemplified by Richard Chesterfield's time as High Sheriff and Richard Cole before him, the role is a public one that can provide a shining light onto the fantastic community and volunteer organisations that makes Rutland such an incredible place.

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High Sheriff Award presented to Martha Barrett for her service during his year (Photo: Grace Kennington)

In his speech passing over the role of High Sheriff onto his successor Susannah Fish OBE QPM, Richard said: 'It has been an immense pleasure to serve Rutland and Rutlanders.'

'I am honoured to follow you in the role of High Sheriff,' said Susannah, as the medal was presented to her by the outgoing High Sheriff.

'I hope to shine a light on the work in the community,' she said, 'and highlight those who see and need and fill it.

'Above all, I want to spend time with and supporting our emergency services, police, councils and community.

The official signing of the declaration to end one year and begin another (Photo: Grace Kennington)

'I can offer Rutland my energy, optimism, enthusiasm and willingness to just get stuck in.'

Susannah Fish OBE QPM has had a long and celebrated career within the Police, being part of important work nationally against gun crime, working across Nottingham, the West Midlands and Metropolitan Police.

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She worked on introducing misogyny as a hate crime and her career led to her being appointed Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire Police until her retirement in 2017.

She was awarded the OBE for her services to Policing in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 2008 and received the Queen's Policing medal for distinguished service in 2017.

She has lived in Rutland with her husband James since 2009, falling in love with the village of Wing and Rutland as a county.

Speaking to Nub News after the ceremony, she said she was 'feeling a mixture of excitement and apprehension' at taking on the role.

'I just want to do the best I can for Rutland and am willing to have a go at anything at least once.'

She wants to use her time as High Sheriff to work with as many branches of Rutland's community as possible and welcomes residents to nominate the 'unsung heroes' of their community for a High Sheriff's award, wanting to celebrate as many people as possible who have a positive impact on the people around them and the county as a whole.

Nominations can be made via the Rutland High Sheriff website, along with lots of information about the history and importance of the position.