Diocese of Chichester

Having had the honour of being among the first High Sheriffs to be chosen by King Charles III, they have enjoyed many formal visits to the Cathedral during their year of office. This was an opportunity for a less formal visit with a tour, from the Canon Treasurer Revd Vanessa Baron and Head Verger, Mr Tim Morris, of The Treasury and the extensive Cathedral roof space. The latter provided a fascinating insight into the ancient building and construction of the Cathedral along with seeing the results of extensive repair work undertaken.

The High Sheriffs also visited The Treasury where they were shown the Ashburnham silver-gilt Communion set given to St Peter’s, Ashburnham by Mr Bickersteth’s great (x8) grandfather, John Ashburnham “the Cavalier” and his brother William (who were both Grooms of the Bedchamber to King Charles I), when it was reconsecrated in 1665. The brothers rebuilt the church before rebuilding their own house, and donated the extensive Communion set as a “thank offering” for surviving the Civil War.

Richard Bickersteth, from Ashburnham, said “At a time when I am in the service of King Charles III as his High Sheriff of East Sussex, it is very poignant to be holding a plate donated by my ancestor when he was in the service of King Charles II.”

Mr Bliss, from Horsted Keynes, and Mr Bickersteth were also pleased to take the opportunity of this visit to thank the Canon Treasurer and the Head Verger for all their service to the High Sheriffs and wider community during their Shrieval Year which comes to a close on 5th April 2024, as they hand over for their successors as High Sheriffs of West and East Sussex at the historic Declaration Ceremony in Lewes Crown Court.

Photo caption: High Sheriff of West Sussex (Mr Andy Bliss), Head Verger (Mr Tim Morris), Canon Treasurer (Revd Vanessa Baron) and High Sheriff of East Sussex (Mr Richard Bickersteth) at Chichester Cathedral - 1st April 2024.

Background

The Office of High Sheriff is an independent non-political Royal appointment for a single year. The origins of the Office date back to Saxon times, when the ‘Shire Reeve’ was responsible to the king for the maintenance of law and order within the shire, or county, and for the collection and return of taxes due to the Crown. Today, there are 55 High Sheriffs serving the counties of England and Wales each year. Whilst the duties of the role have evolved over time, supporting the Crown and the judiciary remain central elements of the role today. In addition, High Sheriffs actively lend support and encouragement to crime prevention agencies, the emergency services and to the voluntary sector. In recent years High Sheriffs in many parts of England and Wales have been particularly active in encouraging crime reduction initiatives, especially amongst young people. Many High Sheriffs also assist Community Foundations and local charities working with vulnerable and other people both in endorsing and helping to raise the profile of their valuable work.

High Sheriffs receive no remuneration and no part of the expense of a High Sheriff’s year falls on the public purse.
Mr Andrew Bliss QPM has lived in West Sussex for over thirty years. He is a former Sussex Police officer who served variously as a beat officer, firearms officer and detective achieving the rank of Chief Superintendent in Sussex before promotion to Chief Officer rank in Essex and later becoming Chief Constable of Hertfordshire. He was also the national policing lead for policy on illicit drugs. Since leaving the Police Service he has studied for a Master’s Degree in Archaeology and now undertakes research on historic buildings and acts as a specialist advisor to Historic England on preventing heritage crime against historic places and artefacts. He is married to Hazel, a musician and music teacher. He has one son.

Mr Richard Bickersteth was born and grew up in Ashburnham, East Sussex. His business career has included working in the chemical, entertainment and toy and games industries before returning to live in Ashburnham. He is actively involved with various local charities as a Trustee, as well as being Chairman of the East Sussex Prayer Breakfast, Patron of the Penhurst Retreat Centre and a Bishop’s Champion of the Family Support Work charity, helping families in Sussex overcome their difficulties and prevent crisis. Richard is married to Rachel and they have three adult sons.

Mr John Ashburnham (1603 – 1671) and his brother Mr William Ashburnham (d.1679) were loyal royalists and Grooms of the Bedchamber to King Charles I and after the Restoration also to King Charles II. They are referenced a number of times by Samuel Pepys in his diaries. John Ashburnham assisted Charles I to escape Oxford under cover of darkness. Some historians have blamed John for the Charles I’s decision to go to the Isle of Wight, but others believe he remained a loyal servant who always did what the King asked of him. A letter in Charles I’s handwriting addressed to “our trusty and beloved John” states that he was “…the most (and with the greatest injustice) persecuted of all my servants, and merely for his fidelity to me.” The Ashburnham Collection at Carisbrooke Castle Museum provide more artefacts and information relating to King Charles I:
https://carisbrookecastlemuseum.org.uk/the-ashburnham-collection/