Preston Crown Court is visited by Lancashire's High Sheriff Catherine Penny as hearings continue during the pandemic

High Sheriff Catherine Penny is the Queen’s representative in the county for all matters relating to the judiciary and the maintenance of law and order.

Usually much of the High Sheriff’s year is spent supporting and encouraging associated voluntary and statutory organisations, including courts, police, prison and probation services, and charities.

But due to restrictions caused by the pandemic, Mrs Penny, 66, has been unable to perform as many duties as she would have liked in public, and has had to rely on modern technology, such as video conferencing.

However, on Monday she visited Preston Crown Court in person, where she observed, from the judge's bench, how the Crown Court was continuing to operate during the pandemic.

Welcoming her, Judge Simon Medland QC said: "The office of High Sheriff is the oldest secular Crown appointment and has a history which precedes the Norman Conquest in some parts of the country and, in the County Palatine of Lancashire, dates certainly to the middle of the 12th Century – almost 900 years.

"The office of High Sheriff of Lancashire is a most singular distinction and one of considerable prestige. The holder is personally appointed every year by Her Majesty The Queen in Her capacity as Duke of Lancaster.

"Although in former times the High Sheriff was required to supply troops to support the monarch in war, and in subduing an often turbulent populace, these days the office is of a ceremonial nature, the principal duty being to uphold the dignity and well-being of Her Majesty’s judges.

"The High Sheriff for this year, Mrs Penny, was a successful horticultural businesswoman in Lancashire and now – amongst many other duties – continues developing and growing outstanding roses which are available to view at her home at Dutton Hall.

"She is a dyed-in-the-wool Prestonian and a Freeman of this fair city as indeed her family have been, generation upon generation, since the early 17th century."

Afterwards, the High Sheriff, whose uniform is based on traditional court dress, said she found the visit fascinating.

She added: " It was very interesting to see how the judiciary are having to find different ways of working during the pandemic.

"I think there are certain things that may even be used in the future, such as video links for barristers not able to attend court - but the downside is that the court has to find times to list each video case with no idea how long each case is going to take."

Referring to the challenges faced in her own role since the coronavirus outbreak she added: "I was hoping to focus on young people as there is often an overlap between young people's welfare and the court system. I have been able to talk to charities but if things were different I would like to be thinking about actually getting people together and meeting.

"We may have Zoom but there's nothing like sitting in a room with other people."

Traditionally High Sheriffs also look after High Court Judges visiting the county, and can also make awards to those who have been active in the apprehension of certain offenders, if a judge deems it appropriate.

The unpaid voluntary office dates back to the time of Henry II and its responsibilities include a duty to “protect and assist in upholding the dignity and wellbeing of Her Majesty’s Judges” as well as “to project the principles of encouraging responsible citizenship and respect for the diversity of the community”.