A NEW high sheriff has been appointed for Hertfordshire.

Fiona Trenchard was declared the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire at a ceremony on Friday. The ancient office dates back to Saxon times.

Speaking after the declaration, Viscountess Trenchard, who is 58 and lives in Standon, said that she was very excited and deeply honoured to have been appointed to the post.

“I am delighted to have this opportunity to bring together people who are working with a myriad of organisations to do good in the county’s communities,” she said.

“I look forward to working with both the statutory services and voluntary organisations.

“I hope to support families during my year as high sheriff. The modern family faces many challenges. If we can support families which need help, when they need it, by early intervention, it may also reduce crime later on.

“Parenting older children and teenagers is as challenging as ever and in 2013 we face modern communications which have revolutionised our world and brought good and bad information to our fingertips. People are living to a great age and this is something that the family in the 21st century has to prepare for.”

The office of high sheriff is an independent and non-political appointment made annually by The Queen at a pricking ceremony in March in front of the Privy Council at Buckingham Palace.

The Queen uses a bodkin to mark the name of each high sheriff throughout the 55 counties. The ceremony is thought to date back to an occasion when the Privy Council interrupted Queen Elizabeth I while she was busy with her embroidery.

Viscountess Trenchard’s husband Hugh is a deputy lieutenant of the county.