Together in 1987 they formed M&M Sports, the discount online retail giant that is now M&M Direct, following their highly profitable sale of it in 2004.
This brought the Churchwards back to Herefordshire. “Selling M&M we needed to invest in a variety of properties and as a farmer’s daughter, I guess the land and space ‘thing’ didn’t leave me..” reminisces Pat, “plus I fell for that house as we came down the drive to view it”. ‘That house’ was Brinsop Court, a moated manor a few miles away from their new family home, which piqued her interest as a new and personal business venture. The period property had been much extended since its 14th century origins and it was a hotchpotch of flats, apartments and houses being used predominantly for rented accommodation.
Pat’s original vision was to convert it into four distinct holiday lets. “It was so big it already had four different boiler systems, and renovations were a mammoth task” she mused. However, as people stayed and enjoyed the Grade 1 listed character features and picturesque estate, more and more requests to get married or hold celebrations there came in and Pat eventually succumbed, developing it into the sumptuous award-winning venue that it is today.
“My family have suffered, though also perhaps benefitted, from my intense involvement with Brinsop Court and the development of that business. At least I wasn’t interfering too much with their own plans, although I do think they missed me sometimes” Pat reflects. Though, not short of adventurous spirit, even in her sixties, she is planning a very exciting trip with her daughter (they have 4) to swim with killer whales in Norway.
“Life is relentless. Constant. I have so many balls in the air … children, grandchildren, spouses, houses and homes, the wedding business, farm business, property business, High Sheriff and charity work” she confides. “I’m very proud of everything we have achieved to date from a standing start, and especially my children. Now, as High Sheriff, I take my role very seriously.”
No longer carrying the weighty burden of tax collection and law enforcement, the role of the High Sheriff has become a welcome appointment. Nominations to the Office of High Sheriff are dealt with through the Presiding Judge of the Circuit and the Privy Council for consideration by The Sovereign in Council.
The annual nominations of three prospective High Sheriffs for each County are made in a meeting of the Lords of the Council in the King’s Bench Division of the High Court of Justice, presided over by the Lord Chief Justice on 12th November each year. Subsequently, the selection of new High Sheriffs is made annually in March, when the traditional custom of the Sovereign ‘pricking’ the appointee’s name with a bodkin is perpetuated. Eligibility for nomination and appointment of High Sheriffs excludes Peers of Parliament and Members of the House of Commons, and, by extension, Members of the Welsh Assembly, full-time members of the Judiciary including Tribunal Judges, and Officers of the Royal Navy, Army or Royal Air Force on full pay. These provisions reflect the essential requirement that the Office of High Sheriff is a non-political appointment.
Some officers take a year out from their businesses to fulfil their High Sheriff’s duties, but this was not an option for busy Pat. “I was proposed by Tricia Thomas during her tenure. It was a great surprise, but very flattering and a huge honour. With the numerous (over 125) meetings I’ve had already I find I am able to connect people and their community groups sometimes – seemingly to their benefit. This is when curiosity is so helpful.” Fortunately Brinsop is an excellent location to host successful fundraising events that her post demands, like the Shrieval Ball that you’ll see a snippet of further into this magazine.
Some High Sheriffs choose to focus on specific charities and causes, but Pat prefers to spread her resources more generally. “I actively support and sympathise with the care and retention of our county’s heritage and landscape values, education and faith, the difficulties of rural and agricultural living for many, and also the less -than-privileged families and individuals across this county.
My intended, but not exclusive, focus for this coming year will be to shine a light on those in our community as challenged teenagers, getting consistent care and good direction for parents and children alike, and particularly those families who may find themselves compromised due to a member being imprisoned.
The famous saying “Show me the child at 7 and I will show you the grown up’ holds much truth, I think.” Behind this outwardly relaxed woman is obviously a dynamo. “I don’t think I will ever stop looking out for business opportunities, but I have to be realistic with what is achievable these days … I need a 36 hour day and a 10 day week.” Hmmm, I think many of us can relate to that!
Read more about the High Sheriff, her fund and how to apply to it on
www.highsheriffherefordshire.org
LIVE24-SEVEN.COM
17
F EATURE HERE FORDSHIRE HIGH SHERI F F
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