We were thrilled to host a visit from the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, Dr Eamonn O’Neal DL, to our HQ earlier this month. Eamonn, who is High Sheriff for an historic second time, spent a few hours with us chatting with staff and volunteers and touring our operations.
During his visit, Eamonn took time to meet staff and volunteers from FareShare, FareShare Plus, Touch Wood and EMERGE Recycling. It was great to be able to show him the changes which we’ve made at Maynard House since his last visit made during Covid.
Second visit
Eamonn first held the position of High Sheriff during the Covid Pandemic in 2020, being appointed to the role by the late Queen. Back then, he visited our old headquarters as well as our new, bigger site before it had been fully renovated to accommodate us as it does today.
A veteran broadcaster and journalist, having worked for Granada TV and Manchester Evening News Eamonn is still a presenter on BBC Radio Manchester from time to time.
“A real delight”
Today, there are 55 High Sheriffs serving the counties of England and Wales each year and they actively support and encourage crime prevention agencies, emergency services and the voluntary sector.
Lucy Danger, Chief Executive at EMERGE said “It was a real delight to be able to show Eamonn our progress, following his previous visit during Covid, when the building was pretty unpleasant, work had barely begun and we were struggling with the challenges presented by the pandemic. As always, Eamonn was incredibly supportive. It was lovely to see him take the time to chat at length with several staff and volunteers, hearing their personal stories and how they fit into the EMERGE collective operations.”
The Office of High Sheriff is an independent non-political Royal appointment which runs for a single year. The office dates back to Saxon times when the post holder was responsible to the King for law and order within the shire, or county, and for the collection of taxes owed to the Crown.