A SHATTERFORD woman has been installed as High Sheriff of the West Midlands.

Dr Dame Christine Braddock has pledged to use her year in office to encourage more children and young people to explore the region’s heritage and the traditions surrounding the High Sheriff’s role.

She was installed as High Sheriff during an inauguration ceremony held at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth II Law Courts.

The principal and chief executive of Birmingham Metropolitan College will visit schools, youth groups and community organisations around the region and encourage students to participate in history re-enactment workshops, costume making and dramatic performances to develop their knowledge and understanding of the history of the High Sheriff Office.

“I’m very much keen to share the honour of my year in office with as many groups of children and young people as possible,” said Dr Braddock. “It’s important that future generations continue to cherish this history.

“In bringing to life many of the formal and cultural practices of the shrievalty and showing how these link to today’s world, I hope to push open doors which some young people would never know existed or would never choose to go through. I really want to connect them to this wider world.

“With the right encouragement, guidance and opportunities these youngsters will go on to lead our towns and cities in a way that brings betterment to its people.”

Dr Braddock was made a Dame in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours in recognition of her services to further education, earlier this year.

She was named High Sheriff after being selected from a shortlist submitted on a Roll to Her Majesty, the Queen in council. She entered office on making the declaration prescribed by the Sheriffs Act of 1887.

Joining her during her year of office will be Undersheriff, Steven Jonas and Chaplain, The Very Reverend Catherine Ogle.