Former High Sheriff’s Sporting Contribution Marked by Ceremonial Tree Planting

The newly installed Vice Chancellor at the University of Hertfordshire, Professor Anthony Woodman, was the special guest at a recent tree planting and commemorative plaque unveiling ceremony held at the University, to mark the 2024-25 Shrieval Year of immediate past High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, Annie Brewster DL JP.

During her year in office, Annie, who is also a Board Member of the Herts Sport & Physical Activity Partnership (HSP) - based at the University -  adopted Sport for Good as the theme for her year in office, and with 600+ engagements during the year, was a passionate advocate for the power of sport and physical activity to positively impact on the lives of Hertfordshire’s residents.

To mark her achievements the HSP Board, in partnership with the University’s Estates Department, arranged for the planting of a Prunus Kanzen (Flowering Cherry) tree and a commemorative plaque to be installed on the University’s De Havilland Campus.

For the occasion, the Vice Chancellor was joined by several of Annie’s family and friends as well as HSP Board members and staff team, and in unveiling the plaque, a delighted Brewster said: “This is such an incredible honour today and I am very grateful for the wonderful event created around this plaque unveiling. It is such a privilege to have so many key supporters of my year with us, and great that Anthony, the new Vice Chancellor, is present to hear about the huge role that HSP is playing in Hertfordshire.

During my year in office, I had the honour of attending so many events and meeting with such an array of organisations that use sport and physical activity to positively impact on Hertfordshire’s residents, and I experienced firsthand, the massive difference that our clubs, coaches and volunteers are making to community life in this lovely county of ours”.

In echoing the former High Sherriff’s sentiments, HSP Partnership Director John O’Callaghan, said:

Over the past 12 months Annie has been a true champion for community sport and the difference it can make to some of the key social agendas - including community cohesion, social inclusion, crime reduction, educational attainment and health and wellbeing - and it  is fitting that we recognise her herculean efforts in raising the profile of community sport, with this tree planting and commemorative plaque.

It will stand as a reminder of her boundless energy, and how she dedicated her life for a 12-month period, to shine a light on some of the very best community practice that Hertfordshire has to offer.

She has left an indelible impression on those that she met during her term of office, and as a result of her efforts the profile of community sport in Hertfordshire is, arguably, greater than ever. We are indebted to Annie for what she has done and what she continues to do on behalf of HSP, and we are delighted that she has agreed to act as the Patron for our 2026 Hertfordshire Year of Disability Sport & Physical Activity.”

In thanking the University’s Director of Estates for his cooperation in making the event possible, O’Callaghan also praised the University for its unstinting and ongoing support of HSP’s work since the Partnership’s inception in 2003. He wished Professor Woodman every success in his new role - and pledged HSP’s support for the delivery of his vision for the University, over the coming years.