Surrey Welcomes a New High Sheriff – Mr. Peter Cluff
Guildford Cathedral was the setting for the time honoured tradition of installing the new High Sheriff – Mr Peter Cluff on Friday in the company of the Lord Lieutenant – Mr Michael More-Molyneux, civic dignitaries and previous High Sheriffs as well as representatives of local organisations and charities, members of the judiciary and members of the community. The High Sheriff is personally appointed by HM The King to hold in Surrey, the independent, non-political and unfunded office of High Sheriff. It is the oldest secular office in the Uk dating back to 992AD.
The ceremony was held during Choral Evensong, and was officiated by the Under Sheriff of Surrey – Caroline Breckell MVO DL in the presence of Mrs Dee Wilkinson JP, the High Sheriff’s Chaplain – Canon Simon Butler and the High Sheriff’s cadets. The Outgoing High Sheriff – Mr Shahid Azeem DL commenced the proceedings and Peter then read out the form of declaration before being handed over the ‘Badge of Office’ by Mr Azeem.
After the ceremony Mr Azeem spoke about his year as High Sheriff, and the many charities, organisations and people he had met along the way. He was the only High Sheriff in Surrey to have been appointed by both a Queen and King. During his term and with his theme being ‘Together we are Stronger’, he encouraged multi faith groups to work together for a better society, he continued the work of his Predecessor, Tim Wates DL, in the areas of mental health and wellbeing, he helped the Police to attract recruits from different BAME groups, supported and promoted different sport initiatives in the County with the aim of improving health, and worked with the Judiciary and Police to highlight charities that are not on the radar. He also helped to fight hunger poverty by working closely with the Surrey Charity ‘ Surplus to Supper’.
Surrey’s new High Sheriff, Peter Cluff is a Trustee of the Community Foundation for Surrey and Chair of Guildford Philanthropy. Delivering his first speech in role, Peter said, “Lord Lieutenant, immediate and past High Sheriffs, ladies and gentlemen, I stand before you honoured, humble and in no small part daunted to be your High Sheriff of Surrey. Having never been Installed anywhere before I wondered how it would feel, it sounds like I should be plugged in somewhere, and perhaps metaphorically I am; connected now to the oldest secular office in the United Kingdom after the Crown. Wired in to over 1,000 years of history; I believe I am the 804th named High Sheriff of Surrey!”
He went on to recognise the work done by his predecessor over his two terms (his first being during the Covid19 pandemic), adding, “I am indeed honoured to follow someone who was so good at being High Sheriff they asked him back a second time. He has achieved so much over his two terms and has been tremendously helpful to me providing advice and reassurance”
Being very much a family man he paid tribute to his ninety year old Mother who in his own words ‘has had the most profound influence in my life’ as well as his late Father, and spoke warmly about the love for his wife Suzanne and children – Charlie & Will.
The evening was wrapped up with an inspiring speech by the Lord Lieutenant of Surrey – Mr Michael More-Molyneux.
Peter’s focus as High Sheriff will be to shine a light on young people who are not in education, employment or training (“NEET”). He has commissioned research by the University of Surrey’s Centre for Britain and Europe to examine the different cohorts of young people that are (or who are at risk of becoming) NEET in the County, with a view to developing targeted and earlier interventions, to help ensure these young people have a better economic and social future. The resulting report can be downloaded at – linktr.ee/surreycbe
For more information visit the website at www.highsheriffofsurrey.com
Photography by Newbold PR & Media.
