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50 years Ago
The New High Sheriff of Lancashire, Mr. Simon Towneley, signs the Queen's Warrant, watched by Mr. F. E. Wilson (left), the acting under sheriff, and Mr. John Wilson (right), the under sheriff, during the swearing in ceremony held at the Sessions House, Preston. (A scan from the Burnley Express article)
Mr. Simon Towneley, the new High Sheriff of Lancashire, was formally sworn in at the County Sessions House in Preston on Friday 16th April 1971. Mr. Towneley and Mr. John Wilson, the new under sheriff, were both sworn in by acting under sheriff Mr. Francis Eden Wilson. The ceremony, in which a warrant, signed by the Queen, is read and signed, was watched by four previous High Sheriffs including the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, Lord Rhodes; the Chairman of Lancashire County Council, Ald. Henry Lumby; vice-chairman, Ald. Sir Fred Longworth; and County Councillor Michael Fitzherbert-Brockholes. The ceremony is based on ancient tradition and after the royal warrant was signed, letters patent were given to the High Sheriff, which set out his duties to the Queen and county.
