Important for High Sheriff of West Sussex to support volunteer groups

Mrs Nicholls described the role of the high sheriff as being that of Her Majesty’s representative for all matters relating to the judiciary and the maintenance of law and order; the office is more than 1,000 years old and formerly involved tax collection. Nowadays it is ceremonial in nature, and wholly voluntary.

The role involves greeting dignitaries and A-list celebrities, but one of its most important aspects is the support of volunteer groups and Mrs Nicholls said she had not realised, until she had toured the county extensively, how important volunteers are.

Mrs Nicholls has attended some 200 engagements and has, in particular, been active in promoting the Sussex Crimebeat Challenge – a scheme aimed at getting young people working together to combat crime. This included meeting a group of young children who had organised a drugs gang.

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Mrs Nicholls also sat with the judge at Hove Crown Court over a difficult murder case, attended a Magistrates in the Community event at Durrington High School and visited police cadets.

Other engagements have involved the Shoreham Lifeboat annual open day in June, visits to homeless people and drug addicts, and also to servicemen suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. On one occasion, Mrs Nicholls flew kites with a young Syrian refugee on Worthing beach.

Our oldest stalwart Ron Wicks, who had been a team member since the creation of the search team, announced that he would be standing down due to ill health and we wish him all the best for the future.

The monthly litter pick in Tarring Park takes place on Saturday at 10am.

• For more information about the Worthing & Adur Neighbourhood Watch Associations click here.

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