High Sheriff of Cumbria
Christopher Holmes DL, 2024/2025
Chris moved to Cumbria with his wife Sue in January 1991 from J Bibby & Sons Agriculture Division to take up the role of Managing Director of Carr’s Milling Industries Agriculture Division. In 1994 he was appointed Chief Executive of the Group, a position he held until becoming Chairman in 2013. He retired in January 2020 when the renamed Carr’s Group plc had 71 Agriculture and Engineering locations around the world, supplying products and services to over 50 countries.
In 2014 Chris was awarded the Blamire Medal for services to Agriculture in the old county of Cumberland and awarded the CN Business Award for a lifetime contribution to Cumbria. He was appointed an Honorary Fellow of the University of Cumbria in 2015 and Deputy Lieutenant in 2016.
From 2013 until March 2023, Chris was Chairman of Carlisle Youth Zone, a charity with almost 3,000 members aged 7 to 25, committed to life changing youth work that has a genuine impact on the lives of young people.
Chris has four grown up children, two of which were born in Cumbria.
Tim Cartmell has served Cumbria in the voluntary role of Undersheriff since 2013. Born in Cumberland, Tim read law at Cambridge and spent the next 40 years as a Carlisle solicitor. He is also a trustee and vice chair of Cumbria Community Foundation.
As Undersheriff, Tim has a vital role in providing wise counsel and continuity. He brings knowledge and considerable experience of all things relating to protocol and ceremonial matters which is a huge support to each High Sheriff in office.
Benjamin is currently the Canon Warden at Carlisle Cathedral where, amongst other things, he leads on the Cathedral’s wider engagement with partners across Cumbria including with the University of Cumbria where he is also a member of the Board of Directors. At the Cathedral Benjamin currently has oversight for the worship including the organisation of the annual Judges’ Service in the autumn. Before coming to Carlisle in 2021 Benjamin lived close to Cumbria most of his life. He was brought up just into Lancashire on Morecambe Bay and prior to coming to Carlisle Benjamin was Vicar of Parishes in the Diocese of Newcastle, covering the most famous stretches of Hadrian’s Wall. He is married to Steph and they have two primary school aged daughters, Elizabeth and Matilda, with whom they enjoy exploring Cumbria’s wonderful landscapes with their Dalmatian Rosie.
The county of Cumbria was created in 1974. Cumbria is made up of the former shrievalties of Cumberland and Westmorland as well as former parts of Lancashire and the West Riding of Yorkshire. Below is a list of the previous High Sheriffs of Cumbria.
- 2023: Samantha Scott of Windermere
- 2022: Alan McViety of Appleby
- 2021: David Beeby of Cockermouth
- 2020: Julie Barton of Ulverston
- 2019: Marcia Reid Fotheringham, JP of Brampton
- 2018: Simon Frederick Michael Berry of Windermere
- 2017: Alistair G M Wannop of Carlisle
- 2016: The Rev’d (Group Captain) T Richard Lee of Egremont
- 2015: Samuel Alan Miles Rayner of Kendal
- 2014: Martyn Peter Telford Hart of Carlisle
- 2013: Diana Matthews of Windermere
- 2012: Juliet D J Westoll, MBE of Longtown
- 2011: Iona A Frost-Pennington of Ravenglass
- 2010: James Ronald Carr of Warwick-on-Eden
- 2009: Elizabeth Honor Susan Thornely of Windermere
- 2008: Graham William Lamont
- 2007: Claire Theresa Hensman
- 2006: Robert Lawie Frederick Burgess
- 2005: Dr Adam Charles Illingworth Naylor of Lowick
- 2004: Frederick Charles Theodore Markham of Morland, Penrith
- 2003: Antony Richard Leeming of Skirsgill Park, Penrith
- 2002: David William Trimble, of Dalston, Carlisle
- 2001: Robert Bryce Hasell-McCosh of Dalemain, Pooley Bridge, Penrith
- 2000: The Lady Hothfield, Drybeck Hall, Appleby
- 1999: Arthur Ian Bullough, of Brampton
- 1998: Simon Philip Pease of Kirkby Lonsdale
- 1997: John Henry Fryer-Spedding, OBE, of Keswick
- 1996: Henry Charles Fraser Bowring, of Barbon
- 1995: Hugh William Lawson, of Carlisle
- 1994: Frederick John Richard Boddy, of Burton
- 1993: Margaret Washington
- 1992: Myles Christopher Ross Sandys, of Graythwaite Hall, near Hawkshead
- 1991: Ian Cufaude Carr, of Brampton
- 1990: Thomas Peter Naylor, of Ambleside
- 1989: Major Timothy Richard Riley, of Penrith
- 1988: Roger Brockbank, of Kendal
- 1987: William Victor Gubbins, Esq., of Penrith
- 1986: Major Nigel James Clarkson Webb, of, Burton-in-Kendal,
- 1985: Major Antony James Robinson Harrison, of Carlisle
- 1984: Edward Peter Ecroyd, of Carlisle
- 1983: Peter Eric Fyers Crewdson of Kendal
- 1982: William John Montague Chaplin of Finsthwaite
- 1981: Timothy Ross Fetherstonhaugh, of, Penrith
- 1980: Charles Henry Bagot, of Levens Hall
- 1979: Stafford Vaughan Stepney Howard, of Greystoke Castle, Penrith
- 1978: Richard Hugh Cavendish, of Holker Hall
- 1977: Edward Hubert Fleming-Smith, T.D., of Hawksdale Hall, Dalston, Carlisle
- 1976: Joseph Hugh Harris, of Calthwaite, Penrith
- 1975: Michael Charles Stanley, M.B.E., of Halecat, Witherslack, Grange-over-Sands
- 1974: George Nigel Fancourt Wingate, O.B.E., of Bridge End House, Cockermouth
I hope you find the information in this website both interesting and informative. You may like to visit The High Sheriff Association to learn more about the Office of High Sheriff www.highsheriffs.com
© Copyright High Sheriff of Cumbria 2024/25 | Privacy Policy | Cookies | Photography © Copyright Andrew Bayliff | Design: lilcreativestudio.co.uk
