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……and now I get to spend a little more time wi

……and now I get to spend a little more time with this little one!

Best of luck with your year, Roger.

Congratulations to Roger Butler who has been appoi

Congratulations to Roger Butler who has been appointed as the High Sheriff of Northamptonshire for 2026-27. Roger was born in Peterborough in 1960 and has been residing in the County of Northamptonshire since 2000.

Roger describes himself as a Flour Miller by trade having spent the whole of my working life in the Flour Milling Industry. He is currently Chairman of Whitworth Brothers Ltd.

He is a keen golfer and is a Qualified Canadian Ski Instructor and can still often be founding teaching on the slopes in Austria.

In addition to providing the breadth of support common to all High Sheriffs, Roger intends to focus his year on Children and Youth in our County.

Married to Susan, he has one son and two grandchildren.

It really doesn’t seem a year since that sunny d

It really doesn’t seem a year since that sunny day of my appointment at Rockingham Castle.

It has been one of the honours of my life to serve as the High Sheriff of Northamptonshire and to represent the King in matters of law and order over the past year.

I have been honoured to have the platform that the position of High Sheriff provides and to be able to work on my theme for the year of rehabilitation.

Thank you to all those who work in the Police, Prisons, Courts, Probation, Armed Services and Cadets, and the multitude of charities that I have visited and worked with, and thanks to all of my fellow East Midlands High Sheriffs of 2025-26. It has been a wonderful year getting to know you all.

…..and thank you to Fiona and the rest of my family who have been a constant support throughout.

What a truly lovely evening we had on 27th March 2

What a truly lovely evening we had on 27th March 2026 with the alumni of past High Sheriffs of Northamptonshire to celebrate and thank Dominic Hopkins for 18 years of outstanding service as Undersheriff.

Dinner at the beautiful Rushton Hall set the perfect scene for an evening of gratitude and camaraderie. Toasts were made in Dominic’s honour, and a special highlight was Mary Laing reading poetry from David Laing’s collection—David being both a past High Sheriff (1998–1999) and former Lord Lieutenant of Northamptonshire.

It was a wonderful reminder of the dedication, service, and community spirit that connects all who have held the High Sheriff’s office over the years. Dominic, your commitment has touched so many lives, and it was an honour to celebrate with you 💙

#highsheriffnorthamptonshire #undersheriff #northamptonshire #rushtonhall

I was truly honoured to be invited to speak at Wes

I was truly honoured to be invited to speak at West Northamptonshire Council about my year as High Sheriff.

My talk focused on an area very close to my heart: the rehabilitation of ex-offenders and support for recovering addicts. Investing in services and charities in this field is not only morally the right thing to do, but also brings significant economic and social benefits.

It costs around £100k per year to keep someone in prison, yet helping people turn their lives around can have a lasting impact—not only for them, but for the wider community. Many who rebuild their lives go on to become mentors, guiding others towards a better future.

Thank you to the Council for the opportunity to highlight this vital work. Together, we can help more people rebuild, recover, and contribute positively to society 💙

#HighSheriff #CommunityRehabilitation #ExOffenders #AddictionRecovery

I want to express my heartfelt thanks to Dominic H

I want to express my heartfelt thanks to Dominic Hopkins for his extraordinary service as Undersheriff to me—and indeed to every High Sheriff over the last 18 years 🌟
Dominic is retiring this year after nearly two decades of dedication, support, and wisdom. The role of an Undersheriff is vital: they ensure the smooth running of the High Sheriff’s office, provide guidance on legal and ceremonial matters, and support the High Sheriff in carrying out their duties across the county. Dominic has done all of this with professionalism, kindness, and unwavering commitment.
It was a true pleasure to award Dominic a High Sheriff’s Award, on behalf of all the High Sheriffs he has served over the years.
Thank you, Dominic, for everything you have done. Northamptonshire has been incredibly lucky to benefit from your expertise and dedication 💙
#HighSheriff #Undersheriff

A huge thank you to my wonderful High Sheriff’s

A huge thank you to my wonderful High Sheriff’s Cadet, Sarah Matei 🌟

Sarah has given outstanding service throughout her time as my cadet, supporting a wide range of events with professionalism, enthusiasm, and great commitment. It has been a pleasure to work alongside her.

Pictured here with her certificate, Sarah is joined by her mother, whose support in helping her travel to and from events has been invaluable—thank you.
I am delighted to share that Sarah has secured a place on the graduate police scheme and will begin her training in Leicester this September 🚔 She hopes to one day serve in Northamptonshire, and I have no doubt she will have a fantastic career ahead of her.

I look forward to following Sarah’s journey with great interest. Congratulations, and thank you again for all you have done 💙

#northantspolice

Delighted to celebrate the appointment of four new

Delighted to celebrate the appointment of four new magistrates to the Family Court in Northampton ⚖️

The swearing-in ceremony was conducted by HHJ Nassera Patel and Dominic Goble DL, marking an important milestone for each of our new magistrates as they take up this vital public role.

Family Court magistrates play a crucial part in our justice system, making careful, balanced decisions that directly affect the lives of children and families. Working as part of a panel, they consider sensitive and often complex cases, always with the welfare of the child at the heart of every decision. Their role requires compassion, integrity, and sound judgement—helping to ensure fairness and protection for some of the most vulnerable in our communities.

I wish all four magistrates every success as they begin their service. Their commitment to upholding justice and supporting families across Northampton is truly commendable.

In my final week as High Sheriff, I was so pleased

In my final week as High Sheriff, I was so pleased to be able to present a High Sheriff’s Award to the incredible Belinda Humfrey 🌟
For decades, Belinda has worked tirelessly for the good of Desborough, leaving a lasting impact on the community through her dedication, leadership, and passion.

Her many achievements include: • Raising funds to build a new skatepark • Chairing the Civic Society • Chairing the Heritage Centre Committee • Trustee for the Desborough Community Development Trust, including running a charity shop • Raising funds to create a new Millennium Green • Founding member of Revive Coffee Shop

Please do take the time to visit Station Road in Desborough to see Belinda’s teams achievements firsthand. The Heritage Centre offers a superb collection of fascinating exhibitions, telling the story of the town from Roman times through to its peak as a shoe-making centre. Then enjoy a well-earned coffee and cake at Revive Coffee Shop ☕🍰

Desborough is a better place because of Belinda’s commitment and energy. This award is a small token of thanks for a lifetime of service 💙

#HighSheriff #desboroughlocal #desboroughmums#desboroughtown

What an honour it was to present a High Sheriff’

What an honour it was to present a High Sheriff’s Award to Den Palmer this evening in recognition of over 30 years of outstanding volunteering.

As the founder of Siam Academy in Corby, Den has dedicated his time, energy and heart to training children in martial arts — entirely free of charge — for decades. His work has created far more than a place to learn skills; it is a safe and supportive environment where young people can grow in confidence, feel valued, and stay on the right path.

Through structure, discipline and encouragement, his classes instil respect, resilience and self-belief. For many children, this is a place where they truly belong — guided by a mentor who genuinely cares about their future.

Den’s impact extends beyond young people. He has also committed himself to training adults, coaching many to national champion level.

His work has transformed the lives of those who have felt marginalised or bullied, offering them strength, purpose and a renewed sense of identity.

A truly inspiring individual whose influence reaches far beyond sport. Thank you Den for your hard work and dedication.

#siamacademy #thechapelgym #northamptonshire #highsheriff

My sincere thanks to the High Sheriff of Nottingha

My sincere thanks to the High Sheriff of Nottingham for his kind invitation to attend the Legal Service at St Mary’s Church in the Lace Market.

With around 400 guests in attendance, it was a truly special and meaningful occasion, bringing together so many dedicated individuals to pray for and bless all those involved in our judicial system. The service was beautifully enhanced by a silver band and wonderful singing from the Atmosphere Choir, a Nottinghamshire-based charity empowering learning disabled and autistic people to develop social independence and work-readiness skills. Rev’d Dr Andy Emerton, Bishop of Sherwood delivered a super sermon.

There was a perfect Nottingham touch to finish — pie and mushy peas! A wonderful local delicacy enjoyed in great company.

Thank you Ed Attenborough for your hospitality.

…..and thank you to my fellow East Midlands High Sheriffs it has been a real pleasure working alongside you!

A heartfelt thank you to all 34 charities who atte

A heartfelt thank you to all 34 charities who attended the High Sheriff’s Mentoring Conference. Your dedication, insight, and commitment made the day truly special.

Following on from our autumn conference last year, it was clear once again just how vital mentoring is in supporting rehabilitation journeys for ex-offenders and those recovering from addiction. The impact of consistent guidance, encouragement, and belief cannot be overstated.

The purpose of the conference was to bring together those working in this important field — to share best practice, strengthen connections, and create meaningful networking opportunities. It was a fabulous and inspiring day filled with collaboration and shared purpose.

I was particularly moved by the many humbling and powerful stories shared, especially from those with lived experience who have turned their lives around and are now giving back as mentors themselves. Their courage and determination are a true testament to the transformative power of mentoring.

Thank you to Richard Sewell and his team at the Frontier Centre for hosting and to all our guest speakers.

#Northamptonshire #frontiercentre #westnorthantscouncil #northnorthantscouncil #andrearissol

What a privilege to attend Festal Evensong at Linc

What a privilege to attend Festal Evensong at Lincoln Cathedral, kindly hosted by the High Sheriff of Lincoln. A traditional and deeply moving service, elevated by the breathtaking choral music and timeless liturgy.

It was a pleasure to be joined by my fellow High Sheriffs from across the East Midlands. The prayers and blessing for the judiciary were particularly poignant, reminding us of the enduring importance of justice, integrity, and service in public life.

Lincoln Cathedral itself is simply magnificent — a masterpiece of architecture that inspires awe at every turn. Completed in stages between 1072 and 1311, it famously held the title of the tallest building in the world from 1311 until 1549, surpassing even the Great Pyramid of Giza, which had held that distinction for nearly 4,000 years. To stand within its walls is to feel both the weight of history and the quiet power of faith and craftsmanship.

The ancient city itself its well worth a visit too!

It was a real honour to present 45 people with the

It was a real honour to present 45 people with their British citizenship certificates this week. 🇬🇧
The recipients, who originated from nine different countries, were all such warm and inspiring individuals. Many have been living in the UK for many years, contributing to our communities and society in meaningful ways.
Each new citizen also received a commemorative gold coin to mark this very special milestone. It was a truly joyful day, and a privilege to celebrate this important moment with them and their families.
I was able to remind everyone of the history of the Magna Carta, the hard-won freedoms of the people to vote in a democracy, and the enduring importance of the rule of law — principles that remain central to our society today.
All three ceremonies concluded with a hearty rendition of “God Save the King”, bringing a wonderful sense of pride and unity to the occasion.
Congratulations to all our new citizens and very best wishes for the future. 🇬🇧

Thank you to the whole team for the invitation to

Thank you to the whole team for the invitation to tour the Mercedes Powertrain facility, a real pride of Northamptonshire, employing around 500 highly skilled people and showcasing world-leading engineering and innovation right here in our county.

Following our visit, I am hopeful that we will be able to arrange a follow-up meeting to explore the possibility of apprenticeship opportunities for ex-offenders, to help create pathways back into skilled employment and a positive future.

My sincere thanks to Cllr Peter James for kindly arranging the visit, and to The High Sheriff of Leicestershire who joined me as a guest for such an inspiring experience.

#MercedesAMG #Formula1 #F1 #Northamptonshire #apprenticeships

I had an inspiring evening with the Northampton Po

I had an inspiring evening with the Northampton Police Cadets this week. After performing an inspection of the well turned out cadets, I was invited to observe the breadth of classroom and practical training they receive.

The topics covered during the evening include making arrests, the use of police radios and a classroom session on recognising terrorism and coersion. The cadets were thoroughly engaged throughout and were clearly gaining a real insight into the skills and knowledge required in modern policing.

My sincere thanks to the police officers who voluntarily give up their time to train and mentor these young people — their commitment is truly inspiring and makes such a difference.

I was also delighted that my personal High Sheriff’s Cadet, Sarah Matei gave a presentation to the rest of the group about her experiences in the role so far. It was wonderful to see her confidence and enthusiasm in sharing what the year has involved.

Thank you to Clive Skingsley and your team for hosting me so well.

#PoliceCadets #northamptonshire

It was a real honour to attend the Police Long Ser

It was a real honour to attend the Police Long Service Awards and celebrate the dedication, professionalism and commitment of the officers and staff who serve our communities every day.

Recognising those who have given so many years of service is a powerful reminder of the quiet sacrifices made in the line of duty. It was also important to acknowledge and thank the families of police officers and staff, whose support make that service possible.

Congratulations to everyone recognised, and in particular, those who received 20, 30 or 40 year service medals— and thank you for everything you do to keep our communities safe. 👏

This week, I’ve been focussing my attention on t

This week, I’ve been focussing my attention on the work of our fantastic Police Force. I’d like to say a huge thank you to PC868 Lovett and the whole team for taking the time to show me around the headquarters for North Northamptonshire Police (otherwise known as the NAB).

It was fascinating to see firsthand the arresting station and custody cells, and to learn more about the important work carried out by the specialist investigation units based there. The professionalism, dedication and teamwork across the building really stood out.

Thank you for the warm welcome and the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the work that goes on behind the scenes to keep our communities safe.

A heartfelt thank you to Gary Brown, Matt Baker an

A heartfelt thank you to Gary Brown, Matt Baker and the incredible team at Encompass for taking the time to show us around your rehabilitation services in Rushden.

Encompass is a superb charity undertaking truly life-changing work. We visited Recovery House where residents commit to six months of intensive therapeutic recovery work. This involves complete abstention, intense group therapy sessions and a programme of activities with partners in the community. It was a privilege to speak with the tenants who have bravely made the decision to begin their recovery journey — their honesty and determination were deeply inspiring.

After completing six months in Recovery House, residents are often supported into independent living accommodation often also run by the charity, helping them transition back into everyday life with continued guidance and structure. With several residential homes across the town, Encompass is providing not just accommodation, but a well developed journey of hope and stability for those seeking a real second chance. Proof of their success is that many members of staff are individuals with ‘lived experience’

Thank you for the compassion, dedication and belief you show every single day. You are clearly changing lives.

On Monday night, we had the privilege of attending

On Monday night, we had the privilege of attending a harrowing and incredibly powerful film premiere at the ODEON in Northampton.

The film followed two families who had suffered the unimaginable loss of a child to knife crime. Their stories were raw, honest and deeply moving — a stark reminder that knife crime doesn’t just take one life, it devastates entire families and leaves lasting scars across communities.

At the end of the evening, the Lord Lieutenant presented Jane Capps with The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for Off the Streets — a truly well-deserved recognition of the charity’s tireless work to tackle knife crime across Northamptonshire.

Off the Streets raises funds to install critical bleeding control kits and knife amnesty bins in strategic locations across the county, and delivers vital education in schools to help young people understand the real and devastating consequences of carrying a knife.

An emotional but important evening — honouring both the memories of precious lives lost and the extraordinary volunteers working to prevent further tragedy. 🕊️

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