TITCHMARSH POISED TO BE HIGH SHERIFF

By Richard Wright - Friday, December 8, 2006

How Alan Titchmarch could look in typical IW High Sheriff’s garb.

ALAN Titchmarsh is to be the Island’s high sheriff.
And, appropriately enough for the TV gardener, he is to grow into his new role by being “pricked out” by the Queen.
Made an MBE in the 2000 New Year’s Honours List, he was appointed a deputy lieutenant for Hampshire in 2001 and is a Freeman of the City of London.
A former Yorkshireman of the Year, Mr Titchmarsh lives in Hampshire but has a second home on the seafront at Cowes.
Mr Titchmarsh said: “I am very honoured to have been asked and am thoroughly looking forward to it.
“I am already a deputy lieutenant for Hampshire and very much split myself between Hampshire and the Island, which I love.
“I will be straddling The Solent and I am very much looking forward to spending more time on the Island.”
He was nominated by former high sheriff and Island brewer Anthony Goddard to serve in 2008 after the next high sheriff, Lieut Col David Langford, from Thorley, who takes over in March.
The author of more than 40 gardening books, twice named Gardening Writer of the Year and four times voted TV Personality of the Year by the Garden Writers Guild, Mr Titchmarsh will be confirmed to take over as high sheriff in March 2008 by the Queen.
At the Privy Council in London Mr Titchmarsh will be officially “pricked” from a list of names on parchment by the Queen using a silver bodkin.
The practice of giving appointments the royal seal of approval dates back to the reign of Queen Victoria.
High sheriffs still rank among top dignitaries in their counties with duties including attending to the needs of judges.
The position dates back to before the Norman conquest.
The dress, including breeches and tights, reflects the ancient nature of the post.

TITCHMARSH POISED TO BE HIGH SHERIFF

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