BACK in April, at a special ceremony at Northwood House, Kay Marriott was appointed High Sheriff for the Isle of Wight.
Kay was born on the Island, educated at Cowes High School, and became a qualified nurse in 1978.
After 45 years with the NHS, Kay had planned to retire, but became involved in numerous Covid-related programmes — most recently the St Mary’s Hospital vaccination hub.
"I don't think I'd really appreciated how busy this year would be, coming out of Covid, and that it would be the Queen's Jubilee," said Kay.
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"Everyone wants to make something of it, which is just fabulous. The celebrations were brilliant — there's been so many opportunities to go and do things.
"It's a bumper year, I think.
"Things are coming in on a daily basis, and if I haven't already got something on that day then I will do it, because one of things I really want to do is raise the profile of the High Sheriff.
"It's really nice to be able to do that in lots of different environments.
"One minute, I'm digging an allotment or planting a tree, and the next I'm going to an event or meeting the Royals.
"My plan is to make myself available as often as possible, and meet as many people as I can.
"What I've found already is that you can connect people.
"You talk to someone, they tell you they would like to support a young person, then you go to another group and they're looking for opportunities to send young people for work experience.
"It is absolutely fascinating. You meet such interesting people."
Has it been above and beyond your expectations?
"When I was asked to do it, I did have a little bit of insight into what the expectation would be," said Kay.
"I'm very lucky I had been able to plan for it, and I can dedicate my time to it.
"I know some of my predecessors who were also running businesses or working did struggle a little bit, because it is so full on.
"But that's what I signed up for. It's such an honour.
"When you're actually there (at the swearing in ceremony), all eyes on you, it's really an honour and a privilege."
What are your plans for the year?
"I know it is difficult to make a difference, and that's why my theme is inspire to aspire," said Kay.
"Usually, High Sheriffs affiliate themselves with a particular charity, but I thought I would be more broad than that.
"It's about working with organisations who make a difference and inspire people to maybe make a change in their life or go down a different path.
"It tends to be more around working with young people, but I think at any age, you can make a change.
"A lot of it is also recognising voluntary agencies because they're a huge inspiration to us.
"When I've been to things, it has been diverse. For example, planting a palm at Ventnor Botanical Gardens.
"The High Sheriff role is around crime prevention and the community, but I always manage to get a slight twist on it, so that it's thanking those volunteers.
"Because there's always those people behind the scenes who don't necessarily get a huge amount of credit, and it's about shining a light on them.
"In Newport, for the Platinum Jubilee, I was asked to open up the events in the town.
"I was walking around the stores and there was a young lady who told me she received a High Sheriff's award when she was young.
"She said she was quite a troubled child, and it even gave her goosebumps now to think about it, because it really did make her feel good.
"And I thought wow, that's incredible — to still have that impact.
"It's very humbling to think you can actually do that.
"I'm very impressed with the role, and very happy."
What would you like to achieve by April?
"There are a few thing's I'd like to have achieved by the end of my tenure," said Kay.
"It would be nice to have a submission to the National Crime Beat Awards, and there are a few organisations I've already spoken to who would meet the criteria.
"Also, if we could raise some money for the High Sheriff's Trust, that would be great.
"I'm not a tin shaker, but there are subtle ways of doing that.
"When it's appropriate, I can raise the profile of the trust and all the good work it's doing."
What have you got on the agenda?
"We have Cowes Week coming up, and I've been in contact with The Marine Police, and will be looking to go out on the water for a day with them," said Kay.
"I've also arranged a ride out with the police on the Island, and to meet some of the first responders.
"It's nice to go and see how the public services are working and support them.
"I'll also be visiting organisations that are not so high profile, to try and raise that profile, and the good things they are doing."
When Kay isn't wearing her High Sheriff garb, she occasionally goes "incognito" — at event such as the Isle of Wight Festival.
On her way back from a legal service in Devon, she hitched a ride with Platform One's David Pontin after missing her ferry.
"I had to be back on the Island for an event, and I thought there must be someone queued up who I know.
"And just at that moment, David Pontin walked past, and I asked if he had any room in his car.
"It was a mini-bus full of lads who had been up in Birmingham playing a gig.
"Dave introduced me as the High Sheriff and asked them to sing a song.
"They sang Jitterbug, and the whole minibus was rocking. It was brilliant, they were fantastic.
"So when I went to the festival, I went to see them. They were on the main stage and in Kashmir.
"They were called Greek Tragedies, and they invited me backstage afterwards. It was so great."
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