WHEN Sir Henry Every agreed to become High Sheriff of Derbyshire he had no idea that the historic role would entail quite so many highs!

And while he is the seventh member of his family to hold the exalted position, few of his ancestors are likely to have thrown themselves into the job quite as literally as Sir Henry.

While working tirelessly to promote some of the county's unsung heroes, Sir Henry has also done his bit, including abseiling down the 212ft tower of Derby Cathedral and jumping out of a plane at 14,000ft.

He was officially installed last April at his home in Egginton, below the portrait of his ancestor, Sir Simon, the first Every of Egginton.

Sir Henry is sure Sir Simon would have wholeheartedly approved of his 21st-century descendant fulfilling the role, designed to support the judiciary and promote law and order.

With the job came the requirement to wear what Sir Henry calls his "kit" – more correctly called Court Dress – comprising lace jabot and cuffs, black silk velvet breeches, long jacket and buckled shoes.

Sir Henry said: "It certainly makes you stand out and one gets used to amused looks or ribald remarks such as 'Cor, it's blinking Oliver Cromwell!'

"And the sword provides endless fascination for young boys.

"My aim from the start was to find out what is good in the county, applaud it and publicise it," he said.

"Part of that process has been publishing my monthly diary in The Derbyshire Magazine to give a flavour of the range of activities undertaken in the year, although obviously we couldn't mention everything."

One of Henry's first engagements in uniform was at the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas, near Lichfield, which is a cause very dear to his heart and one of the charities he has officially supported during his year in office.

First as trustee and now as a consultant for the Arboretum, he met Prince William, patron of its £8m Future Foundations Appeal, which will enable it to develop into an internationally-acclaimed centre for remembrance.

Sir Henry said: "Its tranquil setting brings peace for those that seek it, exercise for those that wish it and the military and civilian memorials provide a living and lasting memorial to those who have served their country.

"It was very touching to see Prince William paying his respects to two friends killed in active service. He spent a private moment remembering his fallen comrades."

In April, Henry waved off a rally of 120 Morgan sports cars, setting out from Repton towards Malvern.

"Following the start, I was driven in a modern open-top Morgan to the Malvern factory and then the last few miles in a 1929 three-wheeler to Malvern College, where I unveiled a plaque," said Henry.

Later in the year, the 50th anniversary of the creation of the Crich Tramway Village enabled Sir Henry to fulfil one of his boyhood dreams. He and the museum's patron, the Duke of Gloucester, drove one of the refurbished trams.

"It was a great thrill," he said, "and the founding pioneers can be justly proud of their remarkable achievement, which preserves our history and brings interest and pleasure to so many."

He has visited numerous charities, including the Derby Soup Run, where volunteers dispense soup, blankets and hot drinks to the homeless every night; Highfields Happy Hens, a Christian farming enterprise, employing troubled teenagers; Enable Care and Home Support in Bakewell, supporting more than 350 young people with learning difficulties.

"Meeting so many people dedicated to helping others made me feel I should do more personally to help raise funds for charity," said Henry.

Which is how the 62-year-old came to abseil down the cathedral tower followed by a tandem skydive. The former was in aid of the cathedral's ChurchCAM fund and Derbyshire Mountain Rescue Service, the latter to raise funds for the Arboretum.

He recalled: "The exit from the plane was scary but, once outside, the initial sensation of falling turns almost immediately into one of floating, not falling at 120mph.

"After about 45 seconds' free fall down to 5,000ft, came the reassuring yank as the chute opened. The wind noise was greatly reduced, which then permitted conversation with my buddy, who was helpfully pointing out the sights.

"After a safe landing, I was relieved, thrilled and had never experienced such a huge adrenalin rush."

Sir Henry also supported Padley Week, a Derby charity which helps people with learning, mental and physical disabilities through art and performance therapies.

His busy year took in a visit to Lauren's Link, a charity providing help to families caught up in drug addiction, and he later toured Duke's Barn, near Chatsworth, which provides outdoor adventure for young people, some disabled, others with special needs or from poor backgrounds.

Then there was Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre in Skegness, which for 120 years has provided holidays for less fortunate children.

One of the most moving ceremonies Sir Henry attended was the unveiling of a memorial to the 11,500 Sherwood Foresters lost during the First World War near Ypres.

And Sir Henry insisted: "It's easy to believe from TV and the Press that the social fabric of this country is falling apart. It isn't! But, of course, there are many matters that do need improving.

"We have met a huge cross section of ordinary people, many doing extraordinary things – giving help to others, supporting those less fortunate than themselves, putting in the extra effort, often for many years. It's been heartwarming and very encouraging to see."

And he thanked "the excellent young lady" who has been his Army Cadet throughout his year, 17-year-old Corporal Ashton Searcy.

"She has accompanied us to a variety of events and even took part in the skydive with me."