New sheriff takes up his post

A NEW Sheriff is in town. Rupert Seymour Gosling, of Little Barrington Hall, Takeley, has been appointed by the Queen as the next High Sheriff of Essex at a ceremony held at Buckingham Palace. A delighted Mr Gosling, who was nominated for the ceremonial

A NEW Sheriff is in town.

Rupert Seymour Gosling, of Little Barrington Hall, Takeley, has been appointed by the Queen as the next High Sheriff of Essex at a ceremony held at Buckingham Palace.

A delighted Mr Gosling, who was nominated for the ceremonial role in November, said: "It is a massive honour for me and I am relishing the challenge. I am looking forward to travelling around the county and meeting lots of new people."

Mr Gosling, a churchwarden in Bush End, has already met the most high profile person he is ever likely to meet. At a ceremony last Wednesday HRH Queen Elizabeth used a silver bodkin to print his name on a piece of parchment alongside other new sheriffs in England and Wales.

From April he will rank alongside some of the county's top dignitaries and will carry out a number of civic duties, including attending royal visits.