A warm Spring welcome to the next High Sheriff of North Yorkshire

Earlier this week, Celia and Bec had the real pleasure of visiting Coverham Abbey, the perfect setting for an inspiring and thoughtful conversation with the next High Sheriff of North Yorkshire, Nigel Corner, along with his Chaplain, Revd James Thomas, and Fiona Saxby.

From the moment we arrived, we knew it would be a special visit. The welcome was generous, the surroundings of the Hall simply stunning, with snowdrops glowing in the spring sunshine and hydrangeas just about ready to burst. But beyond the setting and hospitality, what really stayed with us was the sense of purpose and genuine enthusiasm for the year ahead.

We left feeling energised and encouraged by the clarity, compassion, and commitment behind Nigel and Harriet’s plans.

Championing opportunity and second chances

One of the strongest themes from our conversation was a deep commitment to supporting people who are rebuilding their lives; whether that’s ex-service personnel transitioning from military life or people navigating life after prison.

We talked about the importance of literacy, confidence-building, practical skills, and meaningful employment opportunities – the foundations that help people overcome barriers and move towards a stable, fulfilling future. There was a shared recognition that breaking cycles takes patience, partnership, and belief in people’s potential.

It was heartening to see how closely these priorities align with the work of many local charities we support.

Looking ahead to Spring 2027

There is an exciting ambition to host the main High Sheriff event at Coverham in Spring 2027 with a vision to shine a light on the transformative work happening across North Yorkshire, celebrating charities working in these areas and thanking them for their dedication.

The event will bring together friends, neighbours and community leaders in a shared spirit of recognition and encouragement. It promises to be both a celebration and a powerful reminder of what collaboration can achieve.

Working together

We’re especially excited about what this partnership over the coming year will look like:

• Connecting directly with community organisations – introducing Nigel and Harriet to groups whose work reflects their priorities, and spending time listening and learning about the real impact they’re making.
• Developing the High Sheriff Fund – helping to ensure there is sustainable funding to support people to break cycles and reinvigorate their lives.

A meaningful year ahead

We left Coverham Abbey feeling inspired, encouraged, and genuinely excited to be part of the team supporting the High Sheriff’s year in office.

The commitment to community, rehabilitation, and opportunity is clear, and Two Ridings is proud to play its part in helping bring this vision to life.