Poundbury's Own Helena Conibear Declared High Sheriff of Dorset

5 days ago
3 min read

Updated: 4 days ago

Poundbury has its own connection to one of Dorset's most prestigious civic appointments. Dr Helena Conibear, who spent sixteen years leading Talk About Trust at Pavilion in the Park in the heart of our community, was formally declared the new High Sheriff of Dorset this week at a ceremony hosted by Coastland College in Weymouth—where the college's catering and hospitality students laid on a generous spread for a full house of community leaders, dignitaries and supporters.

The Office of High Sheriff is one of the oldest in the land, with roots stretching back to Saxon times, when the 'Shire Reeve' was responsible to the king for law and order within the county. Today, 55 High Sheriffs serve the counties of England and Wales each year in what remains an independent, non-political Royal appointment—held for a single year, unpaid, and funded entirely without recourse to the public purse.

While formal duties include attending royal visits in the county and supporting His Majesty's High Court Judges on Circuit, the modern role is most alive in its championing of the voluntary sector, the emergency services, and crime reduction—particularly among young people. High Sheriffs are uniquely placed to bring together a wide range of people across their communities, and many use the independence of the office to shine a light on unsung heroes within small voluntary groups who might otherwise go unrecognised.

Helena's focus during her year will be building hope and opportunity for some of the most vulnerable people in Dorset: those navigating offender rehabilitation, victims of crime, and the many individuals and organisations working quietly to support the disadvantaged and strengthen the social fabric of our communities. It's a role entirely in keeping with everything she has given to Poundbury over the years through her work at Talk About Trust—which the Community Association was proud to support with a donation earlier this year.

Walking the County Line

As a centrepiece of her year, Helena will undertake a 200-mile walk around Dorset's entire county boundary between July and October, raising awareness of county lines drug exploitation—one of the most urgent safeguarding challenges facing young people today.

Her goal is to raise £10,000 for the Dorset Shrieval Charity, which supports grassroots organisations through small grants, and to shine a light on a deeply troubling reality. As Helena puts it: "The greatest horror of the drugs trade is the exploitation and grooming of children — what we've come to name county lines. In this county we have victims as young as eight, lured with gifts or friendship, often by peers who are victims themselves, before being trapped into delivering or dealing drugs. If we do not invest in them and our young people, then the tragic cycle of violence, crime, disorder, deprivation and substance dependency continues and grows."

Helena is warmly inviting communities across Dorset to get involved—whether by walking alongside her, offering accommodation along the route, or hosting events. It promises to be a remarkable journey.

We'll be watching Helena's year with pride and interest, and look forward to bringing you stories of the remarkable people and organisations she champions along the way.

How you can help

Support Talk About Trust at Pavilion in the Park — Helena's legacy project, based right here in Poundbury, continues its vital work, now headed by CEO Steve Morton. Visit Talk About Trust or PiP to find out more or make a donation.
Join Helena's walk — whether you'd like to walk a stretch alongside her, offer accommodation, or host an event between July and October, email highsheriffofdorset@gmail.com to get involved.
Follow Helena's year on Instagram @highsheriffofdorset for updates from the road and beyond.
Are you involved in volunteering, youth work, or community support in the Dorset area? Helena's year will celebrate exactly this kind of contribution, and we'd love to tell your stories too. Get in touch at whatson@lovepoundbury.org.
For more information about the Office of High Sheriff, visit www.highsheriffs.com.
For more information about Community Organisations in Poundbury, please click here.
For more information about volunteering in Poundbury, please click here.