High Sheriff of Cumbria

Dr Geoffrey Charles Jolliffe, 2025/2026

Current High Sheriff

Geoff in ceremonial dress as High Sheriff of Cumbria

Geoff came to Barrow, from the Wirral in 1982, for a six-month medical post and never left.  

Geoff has been a GP in the town ever since, working at various surgeries, including Risedale Surgery, which he set up and which recently moved into the Alfred Barrow Health Centre – the health centre being Geoff’s brainchild for many years before its fruition in 2019.

Geoff has worked on various health commissioning boards and worked for St. Mary’s Hospice in Ulverston, for many years.

Geoff has six grown up children and two young children – all of whom were born in Barrow.

Undersheriff Dr Caroline AB Redhead

Undersheriff Dr Caroline Redhead, at the installation of the High Sheriff of Cumbria in Barrow Town Hall, 2025

Dr Caroline Redhead is a Research Fellow for Social Ethics and Policy for the University of Manchester and a solicitor (non-practising). Having worked as a commercial solicitor for many years, in the UK and in Hong Kong, she moved from private practice to academia in 2020.

Chaplain Deacon Deborah Louise Wilde

Deacon Deborah Louise Wilde

Deacon Deborah Louise Wilde is the current Chaplain at Furness General Hospital. Debbie belongs to the Methodist Diaconal Order. She has been with the Trust since 2018 and is deeply interested in the creative arts and spirituality, spiritual development throughout life and end of life care. She loves playing in orchestras, dancing and living and working in such a beautiful part of the world.

The Office of High Sheriff of Cumbria

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.

  • 2025: Dr Geoffrey Charles Jolliffe
  • 2024: Christopher Holmes DL
  • 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 

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High Sheriff of Cumbria

High Sheriff of Cumbria

Dr Geoff Jolliffe
51st High Sheriff of Cumbria 2025-2026

The Hospice of St.Mary of Furness held a celebration of Creativity and Therapy Services last night.I worked there 39 years ago as a medical officer and was delighted to return to see how it has developed over those subsequent decades.Mary, (the harpist) ran one of the workshop taster sessions last night, centring on music therapy. We each came up with words which we associate with the hospice and (with significant help from Mary), we ‘wrote’ the lyrics to this song! Music obviously inspired by The proclaimers and their much-loved “500 Miles”. ... See MoreSee Less
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16 hours ago

On Monday, I Attended the Service of Thanksgiving, to thank and remember all who gave service in WW2, at the magnificent Carlisle Cathedral, along with Alex Scott, Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria. ... See MoreSee Less
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16 hours ago

Last week:Met a lot of familiar faces on Tuesday, at the Meet The Third Sector session, at the Nan Tait in Barrow. ... See MoreSee Less
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Last week:Team Autism.covering North Cumbria and the Eden Valley. Their focus is on Autism without LD.I was invited in, to discuss my theme around Neurodiversity.I learnt much and received good advice. Looking forward to attending one of their training sessions and using their V.R. ... See MoreSee Less
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Meet Tyler. Isn’t he gorgeous? He is a guidedogsuk in training. He’s only 6 months and what a gem he was when we met at newly named Margaret’s formerly @themakery in #nuneaton he was such a good boy we invited him along to the #saferstreets chat on the terrace. Not all heroes are human, but let’s not forget our fabulous volunteer puppy walker Yvonne. #SaferStreets #guidedogs Leamington & Warwick Fundraising Group for Guide Dogs Guide Dogs UK ... See MoreSee Less
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