MEET the new High Sheriff of Dorset - the Queen's representative in the county.

Sibyl Fine King made a declaration to take on the historic role in a ceremony held at Arts University Bournemouth (AUB).

Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the United States, Ms King came to the UK in 1986, working as a health promotion manager in Dorchester before becoming founder and director of the Fine Family Foundation in 2007.

Ms King supports many good causes around Dorset and her love of the area has fuelled her energy and creativity to encourage many projects, primarily concerning the natural environment and the arts.

Read more: Lorry driver arrested on A35 Bridport for being two times over the limit

She has supported a number of visitor centres along the Jurassic Coast including centres at Kimmeridge, Durlston, Chesil Beach and Charmouth, with exciting new projects in the near future for Brownsea and Poole Museum.

Dignitaries and community leaders from across the region gathered at the ceremony to welcome the new High Sherriff. The ceremonial panel included Chaplain to the High Sheriff the Rev Charlie Boyle, Justice of the Peace Colin Weston, Under Sheriff of Dorset Katharine Jones and Michael Dooley, High Sheriff of Dorset in 2021/22.

The assembly, which takes place under royal prerogative, is drawn together after The Queen ‘pricks’ her new High Sheriff’s name on a parchment roll with a long needle called a bodkin. Also present at the event were Angus Campbell, Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset, AUB Vice Chancellor Professor Paul Gough, Mayor of Bournemouth David Kelsey, Chairman of BCP Council Nigel Hedges and Mayor of Poole Julie Bagwell.

Read more: Cornish Bakery staff cycling 163 miles to raise money for RNLI

Established before the Norman conquest of 1066, the role of the High Sheriff was established by royal appointment, and in contemporary times, plays an active role in supporting work being done across the county, both in areas of emergency services as well as public sector bodies such as probation and prison services.

The High Sheriff is the monarch’s representative in all things related to the legal system, including people and organisations connected to the courts, prisons, police, fire service, ambulance, and voluntary organisations.

Vice-Chancellor Gough said: “Sibyl’s championing of the visual arts and support for education in Dorset is something that we greatly admire and feel a strong affinity towards; we wish her all of the very best as she enters into this exciting and historic role.”