I attended the annual election of two Sheriffs for the City of London today.  Alderman Sir Paul Judge (Ward of Tower) and Robert Adrian Waddingham CBE were elected by acclamation.

The new Sheriffs will be admitted into office on Friday 27 September ready to preside at the Election of the Lord Mayor on Monday 30 September.  They will hold the position for one year.

The office of Sheriff, a pre-requisite to becoming Lord Mayor, is one of the oldest in existence and dates back to the Middle Ages.  Their duties today include attending the Lord Mayor in carrying out his official duties, attending the sessions at the Central Criminal Court in the Old Bailey and presenting petitions from the City to Parliament at the Bar at the House of Commons.

If only it were so easy in Broad Street Ward (sigh), but a great ceremony at the Guildhall.