‘My chance to give something back’: New High Sheriff of the East Riding

APPPOINTMENT: Jacky Bowes, the new High Sheriff of the East Riding, centre left, with, from left, The Reverend Jacki Tonkin, Chaplain to the High Sheriff; James Dick OBE, Lord Lieutenant of the East Riding; Hugo Moore, Under-Sheriff of the East Riding; Richard Shepherdson, outgoing High Sheriff of the East Riding; His Honour Judge John Thackray QC, Honorary Recorder of Hull and the East Riding; Chris Blacksell, Chief Fire Officer at Humberside Fire and Rescue Service; Caroline Heaton JP, Chair of Humber Magistrates’ Bench; and Chief Superintendent Darren Wildbore of Humberside Police. Picture credit: Simon Kench / Echo Media Group

By Simon Bristow

The East Riding of Yorkshire has a new High Sheriff, after Jacky Bowes was appointed to the ancient role as the Queen’s representative for law and order in the county.

Mrs Bowes, who signed the Declaration of office in a ceremony at The Great Hall, in Highfield House, Driffield, on April 1, succeeds Richard Shepherdson.

The new High Sheriff said the priorities she will focus on during in her year in office will be supporting young people, especially those who with mental health issues make them all the more vulnerable, those subject to adverse childhood experiences, and the abuse of women and young girls.

The ceremony began with guests assembling in the Great Hall as violinist Kate Chruscicka played from the Minstrel’s Gallery above.

The ceremony was led by the region’s most senior judge, His Honour John Thackray QC, Honorary Recorder of Hull and the East Riding, and Resident Judge Humberside, who said: “I have got to know Jacky Bowes in the last few weeks and months and I have no doubt she will fulfil her role with great distinction.”

‘HUGE HONOUR’: Jack Bowes, the new High Sheriff of the East Riding. Picture credit: Simon Kench / Echo Media Group

The Declaration was read aloud by Mrs Bowes before being signed, upon which she was officially installed as High Sheriff.

Judge Thackray again addressed the gathering, saying of the new High Sheriff: “I have no doubt Jacky will be outstanding in her new role, utterly determined to achieve as much as is humanly possible for the benefit of those in need.”

He described the new High Sheriff as “an extraordinary and industrious woman, yet down to earth”.

He said there would be a lot of hard work ahead, particularly as it was the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year, but that Mrs Bowes would be ably supported by her husband Andrew.

Mr Shepherdson then thanked everyone who had assisted him during his tenure as High Sheriff, which he said had been “incredibly rewarding”.

He said his successor would offer “new energy, new direction, new ideas”, and “will be a brilliant High Sheriff”, noting that she “already has a busy diary to look forward to”.

SUPPORT: Jacky Bowes, High Sheriff of the East Riding, with her husband Andrew Bowes. Picture credit: Simon Kench / Echo Media Group

The new High Sheriff then spoke of her delight at her appointment, about her background, and of the causes she will champion.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I would have a future of such extreme contrast to that of my childhood,” she said.

She had enjoyed an “exciting and hugely rewarding career” in the food industry that had taken her to Europe and the USA.

She paid tribute to Andrew, whom she said was “not only my husband but my best friend, and one whose advice I can rely on 100 per cent”.

Of the young people she plans to help, the High Sheriff asked: “Why shouldn’t they reach their full potential? With help and support and guidance, they can have a better future.”

She added: “I know from experience the amazing feeling of having someone who believes in you.”

SOLEMN MOMENT: Jacky Bowes signing the Declaration. Picture credit: Simon Kench / Echo Media Group

She studied bakery and food science and technology, and worked in food development, holding senior roles in a career that included spells at Northern Foods, Tryton Foods, Sara Lee, and 26 years at Aunt Bessie’s, with over 15 of these as technical director.

In semi-retirement, she was Group Technical Adviser at William Jackson Food Group.

Speaking to The Hull Story, Mrs Bowes said of her childhood in Hyde, Greater Manchester: “I grew up in a really tough home - it would today, no doubt, be described as dysfunctional.”

Mrs Bowes reflected on some of her own experiences of growing up on a council estate, and said her appointment was “a massive opportunity for me to give something back and support others, just as I was fortunate to have been supported ”.

She added: “At an early age I decided I wanted a different life. However it was a challenge to escape; I didn’t know how but I was determined that I was going to have a different life.”

Mrs Bowes said she was fortunate to have had the unwavering support and guidance of two people on her journey – her Head of department at Tameside College, and the owner of the bakery where she worked in Hyde.

“The two of them were just amazing, and whenever I had a knock-back and thought ‘I can’t do this’, they were the people who always said ‘You can’,” she said.

FINE SETTING: The High Sheriff and guests at Highfield House in Driffield. Picture credit: Simon Kench / Echo Media Group

“So I’m indebted to those individuals for never letting me give up and always being there to say you can do this.”

Mrs Bowes, who arrived in the East Riding in 1987, said: “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be in this position. Hopefully, it’s my chance to give something back. I might meet just one or two individuals that my background resonates with.”

She said it is  “such a huge honour” to be High Sheriff, adding: “It’s indescribable for me, and just such a massive opportunity for me to give something back, and I will do my very best to serve our wonderful county and its people well.”

Mrs Bowes named The Reverend Jacki Tonkin, Priest-in Charge, Benefice of Waggoners, as the new Chaplain to the High Sheriff.

Hugo Moore will continue as Under-Sheriff, having served in that role for Mr Shepherdson.

• The High Sheriff’s first major fundraising event is the Midsummer Spectacular, a charity concert at Driffield Showground on Saturday, June 25, in celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. More details can be found here.

• Entertainment will be provided by the world-famous Grimethorpe Colliery Band, award-winning violinist Kate Chruscicka, and the East Riding Senior Wind Band.

• All money raised from the concert will go to four Yorkshire-based charities: The Tribune Trust; WISHH, the independent charity of Hull hospitals; Driffield Agricultural Society; and Macmillan Cancer Support.