High Sheriff’s County Line Awareness Campaign

Helena Conibear
begins historic role with a modern mission

‘To champion all that keeps us safe’

For Helena Conibear, the appointment represents an opportunity to champion the people and organisations that help keep Dorset safe and connected. She said: “put simply, The High Sheriff’s duties are to champion all that keeps us safe in Dorset – representing the judiciary, emergency services and the maintenance of law and order in our wonderful county. Dorset ranks as the 7th safest place to live in England largely thanks to the work of those who I am so proud to represent”.

Born and raised in Dorset, Helena is best known as the founder of The Talk About Trust, a charity established in 2009 which works across the UK to help young people make safer and more informed choices around alcohol, vaping, cannabis and other substances. The charity provides support for young people, professionals and parents, and in 2024 Helena was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Education from Bournemouth University.

Her chosen theme for the shrieval year is youth opportunity, with a focus on organisations that provide education, resilience, life skills and hope to young people across Dorset. Helena said: “if we do not invest in them and our young people, then the tragic cycle of violence, crime, disorder deprivation and substance dependency continues and grows”.

Focus on youth

Alongside her charity work, Helena has long supported community and voluntary initiatives throughout the county, including Art in Hospital, the Young Talent of Dorset Art Exhibition and fundraising through the Moreton Ball, which has raised more than £100,000 for Dorset charities.

The Ancient Office of High Sheriff

With the exception of the monarchy (which took a brief break during Oliver Cromwell’s time), the office of High Sheriff is regarded as the oldest secular role in England and Wales, dating back more than 1,000 years to Saxon times. The title derives from “Shire Reeve”, the Crown’s representative responsible for maintaining law and order, collecting taxes and overseeing justice within the county.

The role can be traced to the reign of King Ine of Wessex between 688 and 695, when “Sur” men or a ‘Shire Reeve’ were appointed to resolve disputes. Dorset’s earliest recorded sheriff-like figure was Beaduheard, who served during the reign of King Beorhtric of Wessex and is remembered as the first known victim of a Viking raid in England after being killed at Portland in 789 AD.

During medieval times High Sheriffs wielded enormous authority, acting as the King’s chief agents within the counties. They enforced laws, raised militias, pursued criminals and collected taxes.

The office survived the Norman Conquest and became central to the development of the English justice system. So significant was the Sheriff’s influence that 27 of the 63 clauses in Magna Carta related directly to the office and its powers.

Over centuries, however, many of those powers were gradually transferred elsewhere. Tax collection moved to the Exchequer, military duties passed to Lord-Lieutenants and responsibilities for policing and prisons were eventually handed to local constabularies and commissioners.

Today the office is largely ceremonial, although it continues to play an important constitutional role. High Sheriffs support the Royal Family, judiciary, police, emergency services, local authorities and faith groups, while also promoting the work of charities and voluntary organisations, particularly those linked to crime prevention and social cohesion.

Appointment remains a unique royal tradition. Each year, nomination panels identify suitable candidates before names are submitted to the Sovereign, who formally selects — or “pricks” — the next High Sheriff using a bodkin to pierce the vellum list, a Tudor custom that continues to this day.

You can find out more about the role of High Sheriff role at: www.highsheriffs.com

Walking Dorset’s County Line to raise awareness

As part of her year in office, Helena Conibear has set herself an ambitious personal mission — to walk the entire county boundary of Dorset to raise awareness of County Lines and the exploitation of children and young people.

Beginning on June 25 and continuing until the end of October, the walk will cover more than 200 miles in five stages, travelling from Charmouth to Portland, across Purbeck and Bournemouth, north through Cranborne and Shaftesbury, before finishing along the Somerset and Devon borders back to Lyme Regis.