High Sheriff role for Steven Montgomery

BALLYMENA man Steven Montgomery will have to get used to a fair degree of pomp and circumstance in the coming year in his new role as the High Sheriff of Co. Antrim.

But if his family have anything to do with it, the prominent local businessman will be keeping his feet very firmly on the ground.

“Amongst my Christmas presents were a cowboy hat, a silver star badge and a set of toy western pistols!” he revealed.

All joking aside, Steven’s appointment has to be seen as a tremendous honour as the office of High Sheriff is the oldest secular dignatory under the Crown with a history which dates back to 878 and the time of Alfred the Great.

Back in those troubled times, the High Sheriff of the county was the Monarch’s ‘man on the ground’ with responsibility for trhe care of royal properties and the functions of law and order.

Happily for Steven, the modern role is mainly ceremonial.

“When it comes to official functions I turn out in morning suit and top hat,” he explains.

After many years of the post being relatively ‘low profile’, Steven is keen to use his new role to the benefit of all in the Co. Antrim area.

“It is a fantastic honour and an equally fantastic opportunity for me to ensure that the High Sheriff plays a committed role in the community. I’m really looking forward to the challenge,” he said.

And, with any luck that could even mean he’d be the first to greet the Queen should she make a visit to Co., Antrim in the next 12 months.

“I’ve got a lot of protocol homework to do,” laughs Steven. “But donlt worry, I’ll be ready to step up to the plate - Ihave no intention of letting Ballymena down!”