The Blackmore Vale recognised the achievements of two of its leading ladies recently, with the election of Cllr Sharon Cullingford to the post of Mayor of Gillingham, and Sybil Fine King taking on the role of Dorset’s High Sheriff for 2022/23.
At the Mayor Making ceremony this May, Cllr Cullingford said, “I feel immense pride to become the 50th Mayor of Gillingham and have the honour to be the first daughter of a past Mayor following in the footsteps of my father, the late Robin Hussey who was Mayor of Gillingham in 1985.”

Dorset High Sheriff Sibyl Fine King

In Dorset, Sybil Fine King took up office in April and has been meeting people and attending events in her capacity as the official representative of the Royal Family in the county. Promoting the healing power of the natural world is one of her goals, and she’s working closely with the Dorset Community Foundation to run the Nature Heals Fund, which offers grants to groups and charities. She came to Dorset from Pittsburgh in 1985: “As soon as I got to know the area I felt a strong connection with the people and the place,” she explained.