Redbourn man is Hertfordshire's new High Sheriff

Mr Corbett's ceremonial robe has been made by Mr Golding, the first time the county's outfit has been made locally. This story first appeared in St Albans & Harpenden Review 6 April 2010

A REDBOURN man chosen as the new High Sheriff of Hertfordshire will begin is duties tomorrow when he takes on the ancient post for the next year.

Once a powerful political position in the middle ages, the High Sheriff is now responsible for protecting the High Court judge on local visits and other ceremonial duties.

Gerald Corbett is looking forward to representing the county within the role he describes as both a privilege and opportunity.

The 58-year-old, who has lived in Holtsmere End Farm since marrying his wife Virginia 34 years ago, was named Hertfordshire's High Sheriff - an office which has been around some 1,000 years - back in 2005 by his successor.

He said: " I have lived in Redbourn for 34 years and we have four children so for me it is an honour to make a contribution to the county that we have been lucky enough to bring up our children in.

On one hand it's a privilege and on the other it's an opportunity. I will be championing two charities with events throughout the years so it will be a good chance to make a contribution."

Father-of-four Mr Corbett was officially sworn into the oldest office around today when he received confirmation from Buckingham Palace.

Last week the Queen used a silver bodkin to prick his name which was on a list of all new High Sheriffs for England and Wales.

Myths surrounding the ceremony say the silver bodkin used today was originally used by Queen Elizabeth who once said she could not find a pen so used that instead.

However in other stories the bodkin is used because the list is traditionally on vellum and pricking the vellum is more permanent than making a mark with ink.

He added: "Tradionally the High Sheriff was responsible for collecting taxes and defending the monarch but these days there are more ceremonial duties.

"I will work closely with the Countess of Verulam and the Herts County Foundation in Hatfield which supports lots of young children."

The two charities Mr Corbett will support are the High Sheriffs fund and the Music Trust of the Abbey in St Albans where a huge concert is planned for May.

Mr Corbett's ceremonial robe has been made by Mr Golding - a tailor in Hatfield Road, St Albans - and Mr Corbett said it is the first time the county's outfit has been made locally.

Tomorrow a declaration ceremony will be held at St Mary's Church in Redbourn where the retiring High Sheriff Janie Wentworth-Stanley will report on her year and Mr Corbett will be introduced.