High Sheriff's reception in Battle

Michael Foster hosted the event, which included more than 300 guests.

A procession in the centre of Battle was held, made up of the Chief Constable of Sussex, Giles York, Chief Fire Officer Gary Walsh, the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, Peter Field, East Sussex coroner Alan Craze and other dignitaries, as well as eight judges.

The procession left Battle Abbey and walked to the Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin with the guest salready seated inside.

After the service the group then walked back to the abbey for the reception with the guests following on behind.

Mr Foster said: “This is an annual event where the judges from across the county are brought together and make their commitments to justice. We had more than 300 people attend and held a right grand affair because of my connection with the legal profession. It was delightful and we held a reception at Battle Abbey, inviting lots of charities and other voluntary groups. We had a very wide range of guests.”

Charities represented at the reception included Mencap and the Seaview Project, based in St Leonards.

Other groups invited were the Sea Cadets and the Royal British Legion’s Little Common Band.

Mr Foster, a solicitor, was appointed High Sheriff of East Sussex in March.

The historic role is more than 1,000 years old, the first High Sheriffs being tax collectors for the monarch.

The present-day role of the High Sheriff is to support the Queen and other royals when they visit the county, assist the judiciary on ceremonial occasions, work with the police and help raise the profile of charities and voluntary organisations.

Mr Foster was Labour MP for Hastings and Rye for 13 years. He is active in the voluntary sector, being president of the Hastings and Rother British Legion, president of Hastings Mencap, a trustee of St Michael’s Hospice and also the Magdalen and Lasher Trust.

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