The Isle of Wight has welcomed in a new High Sheriff, Graham Biss, who was appointed at a declaration service held at the Island Riding Centre this morning (Monday). In attendance were the Island’s Lord Lieutenant Susie Sheldon, Resident Judge HHJ Michael Bowes and Chair of the Bench Keith Jones, alongside a number of other dignitaries and local press. Mr Biss of Freshwater, who is a director of Natural Enterprise and the Royal Isle of Wight County Show, takes over from Dawn Haig-Thomas, who presented a report on her year as High Sheriff today. The Office of High Sheriff began over 1,000 years ago and is the oldest continuous secular Office under the Crown. The High Sheriff is the Sovereign’s representative on all matters appertaining to civil law and order. The High Sheriff is a Royal appointment. It is made at a meeting of the Privy Council, where the custom of literally pricking a hole through the nominee’s name on the Roll with a bodkin is perpetuated. 
Speaking about his new role, Graham – who is already a Deputy Lord Lieutenant and a British Empire Medal holder – said:
”It is an honour to represent the Island and I am looking forward to meeting many islanders during the coming 12 months. I aim to support and promote the Island’s voluntary sector and in particular the groups who support our young people. So many Islanders give up their time free of charge for others, which makes the Island a special place to live”.
The High Sheriff acts as the Returning Officer for parliamentary elections and is responsible for the proclamation of the accession of a new Sovereign. Any citizen of good character owning property within the Isle of Wight may be appointed. The appointment runs for 1 year and is a non-political and unpaid role. April Newtown has been appointed as Under Sheriff for a 5th year.
Looks like a cast of a monty python tribute act, when do the tickets come out?
What a lot of pomp for absolutely nothing. Valueless ceremony for this day an age.
I thought they were auditioning for the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party from Alice in Wonderland…
Panto season again .. who takes this seriously anymore .. especially when the best Panto Thespians are already located at County Hall ..
We are so outdated and behind the times when comparing to other countries. “Carry on backwards”
Ridiculous waste of money. Unwanted by the vast majority of people. It’s 2024 not 1924.
Another worthless ridiculous position.
It’s a stepping stone to Lord Lieutenant. My view is that these old Orders should be swept away for a clearer, less matey, system of privilege. A lot of backdoor power drops into the hands of the Lord Lieutenant including the appointent of unqualified lawyers who are promoted to Magistrates. In a sense, this is the Dark State that few understand but has a significant impact on them.
Ok, I’ll ask the question:
‘Who?’
I can sort of understand having the likes of Alan Titchmarsh (2008?) who, if we’re going to continue the tradition, might increase the profile of the Island because of who he is but, really, what’s this Graham Biss going to bring to the role?
He’s one of the people who run the Island without ever putting themselves forward for election. He the boss man at Gift to Nature and Natural Enterprise who run most of the open spaces on the Island that used to be run by democratically elected local councils, and he’s got the contract to renovate Appley Tower in Ryde. He’s a big noise in the local Agricultural Society and is on the steering group for the IOW Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. He’s part of the network of the good and the great, movers and shakers, not riff raff like us Catherine (just kidding !)
Chosen by the Privy Council ??? Come on, they wouldn’t have had a clue who he was. Who gave them the nudge, told them he was their man ? There is nothing transparent about any of this, NOTHING !
The outgoing High Sheriff recommends the next High Sheriff. Closed shop. All about who you know.
Bizzy is a good guy. Genuine lovely man and a true Brisol Rovers fan. Maybe Brisol City actually. I’m Rovers and we’ve dropped in league 1 now. Pompey top. Up the Rovers!