Cumbria's High Sheriff Marcia Reid Fotheringham's time is up

Marcia Reid Fotheringham, who had been the High Sheriff for Cumbria for the last 12 months, took part in a private ceremony where her successor Julie Barton picked up the baton.

Traditionally a public service, this year’s event was very different. Like many occasions up and down the country, it was forced to respond to the coronavirus pandemic.

In response to the threat of spreading the virus, the ceremony was stripped back to a private gathering with only a few people able to attend.

Marcia’s Cumbrian journey started in 1997, when, at the age of 43, she made the bold step of moving from the Boston area to Brampton to live with Jim Fotheringham who she later married.

The transition from big city to small town was not easy.

“When I moved I had never seen sheep, cows, never seen mountains,” Marcia explained.

“I had never lived in a place where it is all green as opposed to concrete buildings.

“It was pretty difficult in the early years, I struggled with that. I had never been in a place with as little diversity, it would have been difficult for me if people didn’t help me.

“People come to your aid when you least expect it. I didn’t have regrets. I had many struggles at first.

“I had never been in that much grey (skies) and also did struggle with the choices people made. Knowing that 24 years ago a lot of people had not seen a black person except from on TV.

“I questioned whether I was capable of doing what I felt at the time was a step back. I was okay.”

As Cumbria’s first ever black High Sheriff - and only the third in the UK - Marcia has often struggled with being “different”.

“When I first moved I knew that it was clear I looked different,” she explained.

“Kids – as you know can not hide their first reactions - would stare like I had two heads, an alien. That was uncomfortable and difficult.

“It was definitely more difficult than I expected it to be. There was some hostility, some really unusual questions. The reality is I don’t want to focus on that.

“The other thing I will say is the hostility came from people not in my town. One day I was walking through the street and a car of kids/young adolescents – young men – drove by and they yelled some terrible things.

“I was amazed at the number of people who realised and came over and asked if I was alright.

“Their concerns mean an enormous amount.”

In times of adversity, that Cumbrian spirit has always shone through.

“Most recently on Facebook I was made aware that somebody had made some awful comments about me, about whether or not I should have been High Sheriff.

“What amazed me were the number of people – some I didn’t know – who tried to correct this person. Anybody of difference has lived with people who are heavily critical of them. It is not new, it is part of the package.

“What I am amazed by is what happens after the comments, which makes an awful situation fine.”

The role of High Sheriff is seen as an “honour” for those who are approved by the Privy Council and then the Queen, but it has changed throughout history.

“In the past you (High Sheriffs) looked after judges, you were in charge of law in any county,” explained Marcia.

“There are 51 counties across England and Wales and each High Sheriff will have a different experience.

“You create it for yourself. For someone like me, I like to do a whole lot. If I am not giving my all in something, I feel I shouldn’t be in the role.

“Most High Sheriffs in the last 10 to 12 years have chosen to raise money for charities. All of us visit charities.”

Each year a High Sheriff is handpicked by a group of experts.

“A panel of people from the High Sheriff world and from the business world come together once a year and talk about people around the county,” Marcia continued.

“The only couple of rules are you have to own something in Cumbria and you have to live in Cumbria. I have done things for 24 years, living here I have done quite a lot.

“Not in the guise of getting acknowledgement for what I do.

“I have raised a lot of money in the past, brought American musicians here to play and it’s worked out really well doing that kind of thing.

“For a while, even I didn’t know (how a High Sheriff was chosen). Their decision was to ask me.

“When the High Sheriff is chosen you have to go through some processes.

“Assuming you say yes, you have to fill out paperwork, the Privy Council has to approve it. They have to make sure you are not a criminal.

“The Privy Council checks that out. If they are chosen to be High Sheriff, they probably haven’t committed a crime. You are accepted by the Queen, so because of this you have to be worthy of that.

“I lived with that as a magistrate – you can’t be a magistrate and commit crimes.”

Marcia’s time in the role has been full of highlights.

“I don’t have a favourite one, I value each thing,” she explained.

“I am impressed and bowled over by the army of volunteers, who I refer to as the Angels of Cumbria. Many of them they don’t want anything, they could be more appreciated.

“Saying thank you is a huge thing that they all deserve and don’t all get a lot of.

“I was amazed by their strength, commitment and determination.

“There are some amazing people that just give, give and give some more.”

The 65-year-old has been overwhelmed with the support from people in the county.

“Cumbria has been great. One thing you see on the door is appreciation.

“Cumbrians are amazingly determined, amazingly generous and big hearted.

“Volunteers just go about helping others, supporting the NHS, paying for classes or services whatever – an army of fantastic volunteers.”

Marcia also runs Alston Dental Practice alongside husband Jim and has previously worked in family therapy and psychology in Carlisle.

Reflecting on her life so far, Marcia said: “In every chapter I never knew how it was going to turn out. I have appreciation at the way it did.

“My life has given me some amazing things. I would never expect I would have the memory of being High Sheriff.

“I have great pride for the work I have done. I am very proud. I have regret as both parents passed on, as I know both loved taking the credit for me and everything I had done.”