David Meredith-Jones, former High Sheriff of Clwyd

ROTARY CLUB OF RHYL A glimpse into the rarefied role of a High Sheriff was provided for Rhyl members’ enjoyment in a talk by Past President of the Rotary Club of Denbigh David Meredith-Jones at Faenol Fawr. Introduced by Senior Vice-President Keith Roberts, the guest speaker, a prominent lawyer of long-standing, drew back the curtain in an illuminating recounting of his twelve months in the historic office of High Sheriff of Clwyd from 2014 to 2015. This centuries-old Royal appointment, decreed by the monarch and requiring the endorsement of the Privy Council, was, he explained, originally to fulfil the duties as the King’s enforcer and raiser of taxes, a twin requirement that inevitably brought with it a high degree of unpopularity! Happily, the role of a modern High Sherriff has radically changed over the years but still retains a wide-ranging number of duties as well as the provision of a specific uniform, incorporating the wearing of breeches and the carrying of a substantial and sharply-tipped ceremonial sword. Required attendances for duties on all Royal visits to Flintshire, Denbighshire, Wrexham and Conwy were augmented by court sessions presided over by visiting High Court and Circuit judges. One such occasion, he recalled, was a friendly comment made to him by the Prince of Wales on noticing the distinctive seventh century attire of the High Sherriff: “You make me feel under-dressed!” Despite his initial apprehension about undertaking this little-known role, the speaker said he had found it immensely rewarding and left him greatly impressed at learning just how much good work and service is rendered by people of all categories throughout Clwyd to the benefit of their towns, villages and communities in general. “It was a year of great interest and enlightment and one that I would never have wanted to miss,” he said. The warmth thanks of the club for such a revealing and fascinating talk were voiced by club secretary Gordon Marshall and endorsed by President Rod Brocklehurst, who earlier announced that the club would be immediately donating £250 to the Rotary District 1180 appeal in support of victims of the earthquake disaster in Italy. The next gathering of the club will be a business and fellowship meeting on September 13 followed by a talk on the Hope & Homes for Children charity, open to wives, partners and guests, on September 27.