THE SHERIFF'S RIDE 6th September 2008

Published: 28 August 2008

Sheriffs Ride 2007

The annual Sheriff's Ride will take place on Saturday, 6 September. The Sheriff, Councillor Norma Bacon, will head the ride from the Guildhall at 10.30 a.m. riding in an open carriage which will then proceed along Bore Street to be met by the main body of the riders at the junction with Swan Road and Queen Street. The Ride will then progress along Swan Road and Bird Street, leaving the city via Cross-in-Hand Lane. The Ride will re-enter the city via Beacon Street and the Cathedral Close at approximately 6.15 p.m.

"The Ride is always a great spectacle," said Town Clerk Peter Young, "and it has particular historic interest as it upholds Queen Mary's Charter of 1553, which created the office of Sheriff with a requirement for the Sheriff to make an annual circuit of the City Boundary". The best place to view the Ride will be at about 10.30 a.m. along Swan Road from the junction of Queen street down to the Remembrance Gardens.

The main group of riders will assemble at Beacon Park, Bunkers Hill Car Park, and the public should note that this car park will be therefore be closed on 6 September until 11.00 a.m.

For those interested in finding out more about the history of the Sheriff's Ride there will be a talk by John Haggett, Under Sheriff of Lichfield, in the Guildhall on Saturday, 4 October at 11 am.