High Sheriffs are appointed by His Majesty the King to represent him in each county in matters relating to the judiciary and the maintenance of law and order.
High Sheriff Sir Richard FitzHerbert Bt
Sir Richard is honoured to be the latest member of this ancient Derbyshire Family to hold the position of High Sheriff of the County, Having been born in Derby in 1963.
After the sudden death of his father (when he was 12) his Mother moved the family consisting of himself and his three sisters south to live with his maternal Grandmother in Essex but often returned to the County to visit his numerous Uncles and Aunts and, after school, started work as a wine merchant in London.
Sir Richard inherited Tissington Hall and the 2000 acre Tissington Estate from his late Uncle in 1989 at the age of 25 and has been trying to restore it ever since despite the difficulties of local planning authorities and heritage legislation. With his wife Fiona they took the Village Tearooms back in hand and now run it successfully catering for groups and visitors .Tissington Hall was built by his ancestor in 1609 and has been lived in by the FitzHerbert family ever since. The Hall now hosts over 50 weddings per annum and the Estate boasts a number of holiday lets with easy access to the surrounding Peak District landscape as well as nearby cycle trails.
Sir Richard was elected as a District Councillor in 2011 for his local ward of Dovedale & Parwich on the Derbyshire Dales District Council. As a member of the Planning Committee he has seen the expanse of the tourism product all over the District and seen its important contribution to the local economy. In 2015 Sir Richard took over as Chair of the Council butstepped down from that role in May 2023 after 12 years service.
Sir Richard chairs the Tissington Well Dressing Committee that organises the annual event when locals dress the six natural wells in the village that never dry up (even in times of drought and plague). Dressed with floral patterns usually depicting biblical scenes the week draws 35,000 visitors annually to Tissington that some have called ‘the prettiest village in Derbyshire’. The event is a proud display of community cohesion and is enjoyed by many both from home and abroad.
For the last 25 years Sir Richard has written a monthly column on Derbyshire issues for the local magazine’ Derbyshire Life’. He is married to Fiona and they have four children, fourdogs, and two cats called Lunar and Raffie ( the latter named after one of the paintings in the Grade II* listed building) but is always looking to expand their tribe.
Alongside his stately home opening operations, Sir Richard is also the Chair of the Peak District & Derbyshire LVEP (Loval Visitor Economic partnership) more commonly known as the local Tourist Board; a former Board Member of EMT (East Midlands Tourism) and a former Board member of Historic Houses Association (the HHA being the Union of the Larger Country Houses independently owned in the country). Sir Richard is also a past President of Derbyshire Scouts and past President of Foundation Derbyshire.
In 2006, Sir Richard won the Bledisloe Gold Medal for Landowners from the RASE (Royal Agricultural Society of England). This was an award given to him in recognition of:
"A Landowner who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in the successful land management and development of an agricultural Estate in England."
Six of Sir Richard‘s forebears have attained the role of High Sheriff, with five representing Derbyshire and Sir Hugo (the sixth Baronet) as Nottinghamshire High Sheriff in 1909.
Sir Richard delights in championing the people, the countryside, the welcome, and the delights of the county of which he is so proud and is greatly looking forward to his Shrieval year with his wife Fiona and two further consorts, his sisters Selina and Lucy. He is delighted to have appointed the Lead Agricultural Chaplain in the County Rev Alan Griggs as his High Sheriff’s Chaplain, so furthering his commitment to the pressures on rural affairs and the farming community .
The end of an era in Ashbourne as the @lloyds.bank branch is to close next week after a review of banking practices. I have used the branch for the last 30 years and took in a cake from Catherine Etches.
Thankyou to all the team for all your attentive service over the years
#thankyoufromashbourne
#endofanera
The end of an era in Ashbourne as the @lloyds.bank branch is to close next week after a review of banking practices. I have used the branch for the last 30 years and took in a cake from Catherine Etches.
Thankyou to all the team for all your attentive service over the years
#thankyoufromashbourne
#endofanera
Delighted to attend as @derbyshirehs representing Derbyshire at the Kings Birthday Service @southwellminster organised by the @hsnottm Ed Attenborough and witness the community and county regard and respect for the King
With @hsrutland and HS in Nomination for Northants Miranda Wixon DL
#nottinghamshire
#shrievalty
#kingsbirthday
Delighted to attend as @derbyshirehs representing Derbyshire at the Kings Birthday Service @southwellminster organised by the @hsnottm Ed Attenborough and witness the community and county regard and respect for the King
With @hsrutland and HS in Nomination for Northants Miranda Wixon DL
#nottinghamshire
#shrievalty
#kingsbirthday
Delighted to attend the topping off of the Ashbourne Methodist Church. The redevelopment of the Church and it’s outbuildings is part of the Methodist masterplan in the town alongside the Levelling up project through @ashbournereborn and @derbyshiredalesdc
The project is an exciting one for Ashbourne and for Derbyshire
Delighted to attend the topping off of the Ashbourne Methodist Church. The redevelopment of the Church and it’s outbuildings is part of the Methodist masterplan in the town alongside the Levelling up project through @ashbournereborn and @derbyshiredalesdc
The project is an exciting one for Ashbourne and for Derbyshire
Fantastic visit to The Royal School for the Deaf in Derby and see the great work going on with wonderful staff and students with Principal Paul Burrows.Amazing to hold a school trophy presented by our ancestor FitzHerbert-Wright in 1907.
#derbyshire
#derbyschool
#excellence
Fantastic visit to The Royal School for the Deaf in Derby and see the great work going on with wonderful staff and students with Principal Paul Burrows.Amazing to hold a school trophy presented by our ancestor FitzHerbert-Wright in 1907.
#derbyshire
#derbyschool
#excellence
Thrilled to see the great work @derbycitymission in the heart of Derby over breakfast joining the leaders and support workers that brighten up the lives of those less fortunate.
Ably chaired by @ianm0rgan The City Mission are looking for support from local business not just in financial terms but in volunteering opportunities.
Please consider helping This Christian based organisation.
#derbycity
#volunteering
#turninglivesaround
Thrilled to see the great work @derbycitymission in the heart of Derby over breakfast joining the leaders and support workers that brighten up the lives of those less fortunate.
Ably chaired by @ianm0rgan The City Mission are looking for support from local business not just in financial terms but in volunteering opportunities.
Please consider helping This Christian based organisation.
#derbycity
#volunteering
#turninglivesaround
Delighted to welcome our hard working magistrates from both Chesterfield and Derby to @tissingtonhall @tissingtonhallweddings @tissingtoncottages for a tour of @tissingtonwelldressings and a summer walk around our gardens.
With thanks to all the Well Dressing Teams in the village for the superb efforts in 2025. #
The Wells remain dressed until 4pm in Wed 4 June
@richard.fitzherbert
#lawandorder
#shrievalty
#magistrates
#derbyshire
Delighted to welcome our hard working magistrates from both Chesterfield and Derby to @tissingtonhall @tissingtonhallweddings @tissingtoncottages for a tour of @tissingtonwelldressings and a summer walk around our gardens.
With thanks to all the Well Dressing Teams in the village for the superb efforts in 2025. #
The Wells remain dressed until 4pm in Wed 4 June
@richard.fitzherbert
#lawandorder
#shrievalty
#magistrates
#derbyshire
The Six wells dressed in @tissingtonhall @tissingtonvillage @tissingtonwelldressings until Wed 4 June at 4pm
Postcode DE6 1RA
The Six wells dressed in @tissingtonhall @tissingtonvillage @tissingtonwelldressings until Wed 4 June at 4pm
Postcode DE6 1RA
Great day @tissingtonhall @tissingtonwelldressings @tissingtonhallweddings @tissingtoncottages
For our annual WellDressings with a posse of High Sheriffs
Thanks to
@hsrutland
@highsheriffofleicestershire
@lincolnshirehs
And the High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire
#tissington
#highsheriff
#community
The Wells stay dressed until 5pm on 4June
Great day @tissingtonhall @tissingtonwelldressings @tissingtonhallweddings @tissingtoncottages
For our annual WellDressings with a posse of High Sheriffs
Thanks to
@hsrutland
@highsheriffofleicestershire
@lincolnshirehs
And the High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire
#tissington
#highsheriff
#community
The Wells stay dressed until 5pm on 4June
From this Thursday, Ascension Day, six wells will be dressed in the village of @tissingtonhall @tissingtonwelldressings @tissingtonhallweddings @richard.fitzherbert as we praise the Lord for the life-giving waters of the streams and wells that never dried up in times of drought and in times of plague.
This year we are to welcome other High Sheriffs of our neighbouring counties to share in the Church Service and the Blessings of the Wells.
We look forward to seeing
@hsrutland
@highsheriff.staffordshire
@highsheriffofleicestershire
@lincolnshirehs
Tissington Well Dressings are up from 29 May to 4 June inclusive
From this Thursday, Ascension Day, six wells will be dressed in the village of @tissingtonhall @tissingtonwelldressings @tissingtonhallweddings @richard.fitzherbert as we praise the Lord for the life-giving waters of the streams and wells that never dried up in times of drought and in times of plague.
This year we are to welcome other High Sheriffs of our neighbouring counties to share in the Church Service and the Blessings of the Wells.
We look forward to seeing
@hsrutland
@highsheriff.staffordshire
@highsheriffofleicestershire
@lincolnshirehs
Tissington Well Dressings are up from 29 May to 4 June inclusive
Thrilled to welcome the oldest living former High Sheriff of Derbyshire to @tissingtonhall @tissingtonhallweddings near @herberts_fine_english_tearooms @tissingtonnursery
Godfrey Meynell is 92 and was High Sheriff in 1982. Seen here with his great friend John Miller who is about to embark on a fundraising walk from Mackworth to Chatsworth
#derbyshire
#derbyshireproud
Thrilled to welcome the oldest living former High Sheriff of Derbyshire to @tissingtonhall @tissingtonhallweddings near @herberts_fine_english_tearooms @tissingtonnursery
Godfrey Meynell is 92 and was High Sheriff in 1982. Seen here with his great friend John Miller who is about to embark on a fundraising walk from Mackworth to Chatsworth
#derbyshire
#derbyshireproud
Delighted to attend FitzHerbert C of E school in Fenny Bentley to tell the children about the role of @derbyshirehs in the County of @derbyshirecountycouncil @derbyshiredalesdc @llderbyshire @derbyshireconstabulary @derbyshire_police_commissioner
Telling the children about Law & Order and the emergency services in our great county
Please do get in touch if you would like the High Sheriff to come to@your school
#derbyshire
#highsheriff
Delighted to attend FitzHerbert C of E school in Fenny Bentley to tell the children about the role of @derbyshirehs in the County of @derbyshirecountycouncil @derbyshiredalesdc @llderbyshire @derbyshireconstabulary @derbyshire_police_commissioner
Telling the children about Law & Order and the emergency services in our great county
Please do get in touch if you would like the High Sheriff to come to@your school
#derbyshire
#highsheriff
Delighted to attend the launch of the new book of poems Fine Feathers by Buxton author Philip Holland. A book on Birds in Words
A lovely afternoon in beautiful Buxton
@tissingtonhall
@visitpeakdistrict
@visitbuxton
#poems
#buxtonpoet
#derbyshirecraftsman
Delighted to attend the launch of the new book of poems Fine Feathers by Buxton author Philip Holland. A book on Birds in Words
A lovely afternoon in beautiful Buxton
@tissingtonhall
@visitpeakdistrict
@visitbuxton
#poems
#buxtonpoet
#derbyshirecraftsman