HEATHER LARGE CHATS TO HIGH SHERIFF MANDY THORN AS SHE REFLECTS ON A FASCINATING YEAR DURING WHICH SHE HAS TRAVELLED THE LENGTH AND BREADTH OF THE COUNTY “I just feel proud to have had this incredible opportunity to serve,” says Mandy Thorn, as she reflects on her year as High Sheriff.
Since her installation in April last year, she has clocked up more than 14,000 miles travelling the length and breadth of the county.
Mandy has been the guest of honour at hundreds of events, championed local heroes from all walks of life and received an insight into the vital work of our emergency and support services.
“It’s been absolutely fascinating. There is so much that goes on in this county. Shropshire is blessed with absolutely fantastic community groups and individuals who go above and beyond,” she says.
Mandy has made it her mission to celebrate and thank the people who make our towns and villages better places to live and work.
And it’s been an eye-opening experience for the mother of two, who has been a Deputy Lieutenant of Shropshire since 2019. “I naively thought I knew our county – although I wasn’t born here, we have lived here a very long time.
“There’s so much I didn’t know about our county, I have discovered so much. To be able to go to all of these different places across Shropshire has been an absolute joy,” explains Mandy. “Every part of the county has its own identity, but the thing that binds us all together is that we want to do our best for our community.
“There have been so many times when I have got back in my car after an event and thought ‘oh my goodness, that was amazing. I have learnt so much and met people who give so much of themselves and they do it for nothing’.”
There have been many heart-warming moments during her year in office that have left a lasting impression.
“Early in my year, I was invited to Newcastle upon Clun Primary School by three of their Year 6 pupils to present their Coronation medals. It was a lovely event.
“In July, I was invited to Clun by the Mayor to meet a fundraiser who had raised the money to buy a defibrillator for the Memorial Hall – the fundraiser was Jess – one of the Year 6s I had met at the school.
“Then I was in Bishop’s Castle in September because there was a fundraising campaign being launched to refurbish the leisure centre. And who did I see as one of the swimmers doing a sponsored swim in the pool? It was Jess.
“I have met young people like Jess across the county. I love the fact that as High Sheriff I get to hear their stories and meet these inspirational young people. I hope that in 30 years’ time, Jess might be a High Sheriff,” says Mandy.
During her shrieval year, she has also visited charities and organisations providing support to more vulnerable members of the community.
“We’ve heard some gut-wrenching stories from people who are homeless and people who are impacted by poor mental health. It really makes you think. We have some brilliant support services that are doing their best to help people,” says Mandy.
“I have been blown away by the Ukrainian refugees and refugees from other countries who are volunteering at our local hospitals. There is so much community and willingness to help,” she adds.
Throughout her year in office, Mandy, who is a member of Shrewsbury Darwin Rotary Club and the Shrewsbury Drapers Company, has been supported by husband Mark as her Consort.
“Mark has been brilliant. He’s come along to a lot of the events and having two of us there means we can talk to more people. Some people aren’t comfortable talking to the High Sheriff but they will talk to the High Sheriff’s Consort.”
It’s been an honour for Mandy to have been invited to play a part in so many community celebrations such as Clun Open Gardens, Bishop’s Castle’s Charter Day and Whitchurch’s Blackberry Fair, to name just a few.
“When you’re walking through a town centre in a High Sheriff’s uniform, you do feel like you stick out. Not at all at the Blackberry Fair. There were people on stilts, Morris dancers, musicians, steam punks, all sorts of people. It’s lovely to see the whole community come together at these events.”
As part of her commitment to celebrating unsung heroes across the county, Mandy hosted a special afternoon tea at RAF Museum Cosford in September.
More than 250 people attended the event and guests were entertained by musicians from Jackfield Brass Band and Morris dancing group, Shrewsbury Morris.
Among those who attended were street pastors working throughout the night to ensure the safety of revellers, guide dog trainers and a life-saving leisure centre team. “I wanted to do something which allowed me to say thank you to the volunteers I had met so far,” says Mandy. Traditionally, the High Sheriff has always been involved with matters relating to the judiciary and the maintenance of law and order.
Mandy has dedicated time to learning more about how police are tackling serious crime, such as county lines, in Shropshire and how justice is delivered.
There have also been visits to charities and groups, such as boxing clubs, that are providing activities to keep young people away from crime.
Among the events she has hosted has been a dinner for senior magistrates, judges and the county’s coroner and a lunch for former High Sheriffs and Consorts.
She has also been delighted to set up the High Sheriff of Shropshire’s Fund, which is managed by the Shropshire Community Foundation.
Oswestry-based Aico has donated more than £30,000 to the fund, which will provide grants to support youth-led projects that encourage young people to positively contribute to their local community.
In just a few weeks, Mandy will hand over the reins to High Sheriff in nomination Brian Welti, following a legal service at Shrewsbury Abbey.
“I had no idea that it would go so fast. It has been better than I thought it would be but I already knew it was an incredible privilege,” she says.
“There’s no template for the role of High Sheriff, you choose what you want to do, and I chose to embrace it.”
