Went to a young achievers award ceremony today, in Stokes Croft. The award recipients were a very diverse, very mixed bunch, which was great. Some are young carers. Some were excluded from school in their early teens but then got interested and involved again. Some have signed up to a whole load of voluntary activities. Others have been doing their Duke of Edinburgh awards (including four blind/ partially-sighted kids). They all looked like pretty normal teenagers. Some long-haired lads, some gothy girls. One with a huge Afro, one in a shalwar kameez. Some a bit scruffy, some dressed up for a night out.
They were presented with their awards by a man wearing a velvet frock coat, velvet waistcoat, velvet breeches, a white frilly shirt, black tights, and shiny black shoes with shiny buckles on them. He is the High Sheriff. Other awards were presented by HM Lord Lieutenant of Bristol (dressed normally, but then it's a woman at the moment) and the Lord Mayor in his chain and robes of office.
I'm sure I'm not the only one who has no idea what the High Sheriff or the Lord Lieutenant does, or why the High Sheriff has to wear those clothes. It just seemed rather out of tune with the tone of the event. There was also a motivational speech from the TV presenter, Penny Mallory, which was actually very good and I suspect had quite an impact on the kids there. One of them said it had persuaded her to go along to the Britain's Got Talent auditions tomorrow! Well if Paul Potts can do it...
5 comments:
Bristol has a long tradition of wealthy men prancing around in frilly dresses. I suppose it's harmless enough and they're not hurting anyone.
but in front of the children.
You were a lawyer weren't you?
Yet you have no idea who appoints a magistate?
Interesting.
I didn't say appoint. I said 'do'. And I was being slightly facetious, as it's fairly easy to find that out. For those of you who really care..
http://www.highsheriffbristol.co.uk
http://www.lordltbristol.org.uk
Oh dear Kerry, you're spinning just a teeny bit, aren't you? Your actual words were:-
"I'm sure I'm not the only one who has no idea what the High Sheriff or the Lord Lieutenant does..."
As you've apparently just discovered, the Lord Lieut is responsible for military matters and the H Sheriff for judicial matters inc maintenance of Laura Norder.
Glad to be of service.
Since when does 'what he does' mean 'who appoints him?' The only thing I did know about them was that they were appointed by HM. Hardly worth making a point about though, is it?
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