THE former High Sheriff of Wiltshire has been reflecting on a “varied and stimulating” year.

Penny Marland, who was brought up in Broad Chalke, took up the post in April 2017.

Lady Marland said: “What I have enjoyed most is getting to know Wiltshire and also Swindon.

“I will never drive around Wiltshire in the same way again. I wouldn’t even need to put the sat nav on anymore.”

The High Sheriff is the Sovereign’s representative in the county for matters of law and order and the judiciary.

It is the oldest secular office in England and Wales after the Crown and modern High Sheriffs still have a close relationship with judges, magistrates, the police, the coroner and the probation service.

“It is very varied and stimulating,” she said.

Working with charities and voluntary organisations is an important part of the High Sheriff’s duties.

Lady Marland says she has particularly enjoyed meeting the county’s many mayors and volunteers from charities and other organisations as well as being able to bring groups and individuals together and help with fundraising.

She said: “You find out something new every week. Every week is different and everyday you go to something that’s different whether it’s with one of the emergency services or a charity or in the courts, you just come away thinking, actually the High Sheriff’s role - and this is the message I have tried to give out - is still very relevant in the 21st century, because some people think it is an anachronism and a by-gone era.

“High Sheriffs are unpaid, politically neutral and they have a relevance because of this ability they have for that one year to just ring up somebody in a town anywhere and just say please could you arrange four of five things for me to see in your town.

“MPs obviously have a political bias, however good they are - and they are very good - but they are in parliament a lot. But this is somebody all over the county, not just the constituency, without any political axe to grind at all.

“A High Sheriff can be called on for that whole year to come and visit a charity, give fundraising ideas, introduce people. I think it is growing in relevance if anything.”

Lady Marland added: “It is very varied and that is what makes it such a good year.”