WORCESTERSHIRE’s new High Sheriff has vowed to support mental health charities working to combat the effects of Coronavirus pandemic.
Richard Amphlett was appointed the new High Sheriff of Worcestershire in a ceremony at the Shirehall in Worcester on Thursday (April 8).
Richard, 55, followed a long tradition when he made a sworn declaration in terms set out by the Sheriffs Act.
He will hold the office for 12 months – a position William Amphlett, held three times in the 18th century, along with a number of other Amphlett’s over the years.
The office of High Sheriff is the oldest royal appointment, represented in every county in England and Wales, and its history and tradition predate the Norman conquest.
The candidate is invested following a ‘pricking’ ceremony at a Privy Council meeting, where the Sovereign still pricks the appointee’s name with a bodkin.
It makes the High Sheriff the Queen’s highest judicial officer in the county, and the role involves a range of ceremonial, charitable and community functions.
The Amphlett family has lived in Worcestershire for generations. Richard’s father Philip is a retired chartered surveyor and auctioneer and his mother Ann’s family founded a manufacturing and retailing business in Redditch in the 1700s.
Richard, who lives in Tenbury Wells with his interior designer wife Annabel, and two grown-up sons, George and Patrick, is managing director of specialist insurance brokers Cox Mahon.
As part of the High Sheriff’s charitable scheme, he has pledged to support organisations battling to help the county recover from the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic, including mental health charities.
“I’m extremely honoured and proud to take on the role as the new High Sheriff of Worcestershire,” said Richard, who grew up in Ombersley and has lived in Tenbury for the past 20 years.
“I’d like to pay tribute to my predecessor, Mark Jackson, for his tireless work – both physically and virtually – in supporting communities and organisations across the county throughout the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.
“The pandemic is far from over and the effects, directly and indirectly, will impact us all for many years.
“With this in mind, I’ll be looking to seek out and assist individuals, communities and organisations across Worcestershire which are in particular need as a result.
“The impact on mental health is of particular personal concern and I will be aiming to shine a positive light in supporting mental health charities and initiatives helping all age groups and communities.”
Richard is a trustee of the Abberley Hall Foundation and the Regal Tenbury Trust.
He has a long-standing connection with Bromsgrove Rugby Club – four generations of his family have played there – is a member of the Worcestershire Archery Society, is a keen skier and cyclist and in his spare time plays golf and tennis.
“I’m proud to call Worcestershire my home,” he added. “It’s a varied, beautiful and progressive county, and the Amphlett name has a deep-rooted and longstanding connection with it.
“I’m honoured to spend the next year in the service of the Queen.”
Over the next 12 months, Richard will work closely with the Worcestershire Community Foundation, which distributes money to charities on behalf of the High Sheriff’s Fund.
Any organisation working to improve mental health, particularly in relation to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, is asked to e-mail [email protected]
