Toby Ashworth was sworn in as the new High Sheriff of Cornwall on 26 March, taking up the reins from Andrew Williams who held the office last year. The Office of High Sheriff is the oldest Royal appointment, with each county in England and Wales having an appointed High Sheriff. In Cornwall the appointment is made by HRH The Duke of Cornwall.
The history and tradition of The High Sheriff goes back to before the Norman Conquest when the original ‘Shire Reeves’ were Royal officials appointed to enforce the King’s interests in a county, in particular the collection of revenues and the enforcement of law and order.
The modern-day High Sheriff has a very different role and function to that of our ancient ancestors. Today the key responsibility of the High Sheriff is to support the work of the Judiciary, the Police and Emergency services, the Prison and Probation services and various other agencies in Cornwall involved in crime prevention. The Office of High Sheriff is an honorary, independent and non-political role.
Toby Ashworth comes from a long line of hoteliers whose family have been involved in the tourism industry in Cornwall for more than 100 years. Brought up in Cornwall on the north coast at Watergate Bay, today he is the proprietor and managing director of The Nare Hotel on the south coast. Prior to returning to his home county in 1994 to become involved in the family businesses, Toby served as an officer in the Royal Navy. On leaving school he joined Dartmouth and then graduated from the RN Engineering College, Manadon, serving in HMS Rothesay, Avenger, and Juno as a Lieutenant.
Since starting at The Nare over 25 years ago Toby has been involved in many aspects of Cornish life, including being a trustee of the Cornwall Community Foundation, President of Truro Prime Stock Show, Chair of the C100 club (the corporate arm of CCF), chairman and course builder of Lanhydrock Horse Trials, founder of Cornwall Spring Story, and an Ambassador of the Cornwall Place Board.
Toby, his wife Katie (corporate lawyer, Nare director and interior designer), and their two teenage daughters live in the village of St Ewe.
