Personality  He explains: “We were a peace-


keeping force because it was the time of the Cold War and, although we didn’t see any enemy action, there were constant scares so that we always had to be on high alert.”


But it was a trip to Northern Ireland as


a 22-year-old lieutenant which shook him to the core. It also became a life- defining moment.


The short stint in the conflict-riven


province was cut shorter still when a roadside bomb in Belfast killed a colleague.


He shudders as he recalls: “One of the


worst things was that I had to go and tell that poor man’s parents at their home in Newcastle.


“I was standing at the bottom of this


tower block with the local vicar, and the parents were on the 21st floor. The lift didn’t work, so by the time we got up there, we were in a bit of a state.


“It really wasn’t a pleasant thing to


have to do aged 22. It was a big moment for me personally. I have to be honest, it left a nasty taste in the mouth.”


After four years in the Hussars, Mr


Jessel’s short term commission came to an end and he left to go to the Royal Agricultural College — now University — in Cirencester, Gloucs, where he obtained a diploma in agriculture.


generate new income streams in an uncertain world.


Some open B&Bs, let out farm buildings for light industrial units, hospitality or enter the food sector.


Mr Jessel turned his hand to cheese- making.


In 2001, he had bought Penstock


Farm, at East Brabourne, near Folkestone, where he lives with wife Victoria, son Charlie, aged 17 and daughter Amelia, 18.


He sold the Friesian herd to a neighbouring farmer at Hastingleigh, converted the dairy buildings for cheese-making, went off to learn the craft and set up the Kent Cheese Company.


It was a brave move. Milk was bought in from his former


herd next door and the Jessels set about making a number of soft cheeses.


All had wonderful sounding names;


the very popular Brabourne Brie; a Camembert-type cheese named Chaucer’s Choice; Penstock Blue; a Caerphilly-type cheese named Kentish Crown and — self-explanatory — Gorgeous Goat.


A few years later, Mr Jessel sold the business to Cheesemakers of Canterbury, who added the soft cheeses to their existing range. George’s flair for continuity and linkage is illustrated by the fact that Cheesemakers of Canterbury, winners of several awards for their artisan products, rent the cheese-making plant at Hastingleigh.


He says: “They do a grand job and


have helped to put Kent on the food map for the production of first-class cheeses.”


Diversification schemes play an He says: “I knew I wanted to be a


farmer. My father was farming at Hastingleigh — dairy and arable — but he was slowing down. I was delighted to be able to take over the 800 acres or so.


“When I came home I must have been


in my mid 20s and my father was in his 60s, and I just felt that I needed to make my own mark. I was very keen on the idea of farming and diversification.”


Diversification has become a major


part of modern farming, where farmers have used their skills and resources to


The ceremonial uniform worn by male High Sheriffs is called “Court Dress”. Virtually unchanged since the late 17th century, it consists of a black or dark blue velvet coat with cut-steel buttons, breeches, shoes with cut-steel buckles, a sword and a cocked hat. A lace jabot or white bow tie is worn around the neck. Lady High Sheriffs generally elect to adapt the traditional Court Dress worn by male High Sheriffs. When Court Dress is inappropriate, a High Sheriff attends engagements wearing a Badge of Office on a ribbon.


essential part in today’s still farming, and the obsolete farm buildings at Penstock were converted to offices.


Mr Jessel employed professional builders, but personally undertook the


project management. The result is a charmingly eclectic group of buildings that were converted with great thought and sensitivity.


The tenants, all with strong links with


the county, include Kent Downs AONB (Area of Natural Beauty) unit, Action with Communities in Rural Kent and East Kent Public Rights of Way Office.


Most people associated with agriculture now look to a world post- Brexit with a certain trepidation.


“I musn’t stray into anything political in the role of High Sheriff,” he says, “but from a personal viewpoint, Brexit is bad news.


“The ‘remain’ case was explained


rather badly and the case to ‘leave’ explained much better.


“But the British have a knack of picking themselves up and facing any crisis head-on. But it will take a while to stabilise, I think.”


Additional reporting by Simon Finlay


The title High Sheriff is derived from the Anglo Saxon Sch-gerela — Shire Reeve. It is known that some Sheriffs were responsible for leading contingents of soldiers at the Battle of Hastings. Not only did the Normans continue the office, they added to its power. During the 11th and 12th centuries High Sheriffs acted as judges in the monthly courts and they could summon the ‘posse comitatus’ — the full power of the Shire in the service of the Sovereign. Mr Jessel is pictured above with Victoria and their children Charlie and Amelia.


Mid Kent Living 7


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64