Bestwood councillor John Hartshorne has been installed as Sheriff of Nottingham for the second time and also Deputy Lord Mayor.

The two offices have been combined this year on a trial basis to bring Nottingham into line with most other local authorities in appointing two civic dignitaries.

Councillor Hartshorne (59) grew up in Nottingham although he, was born in Yorkshire, in Driffield. His parents, who were both from Nottingham, returned to the City after his father was demobbed from the RAF in 1947. For most of his life he lived in Sherwood Street, attending local schools. He joined the National Coal Board as an apprentice electrician and worked in most local collieries, finishing at Hucknall Colliery in 1985 when he was made redundant. Since then he has been a postman.

He became involved in local politics in Bestwood when his family was rehoused to newly-built homes in Top Valley in the 1970s. The site of his Sherwood Street home was redeveloped in as part of the Nottingham Trent campus. The new City Council ward of Bestwood Park was created and he was elected councillor in 1979. He has represented the ward since then.

He was Chair of the former Environment Committee for approximately 15 years, and was instrumental in setting new entertainment licensing rules, new standards for taxis in the City and introducing wheelie bins to Nottingham.

Two of Councillor Hartshorne’s sons live in Nottingham and were presenr at his installation ceremony. His youngest son lives in Bristol.

Councillor Hartshorne is set to become the first Sheriff of Nottingham who can look forward to becoming Lord Mayor of the City the following year. “I want to use my position this year and next to raise Nottingham’s profile and importance nationally and internationally,” he said.

“The Sheriff of Nottingham is famous across the globe and I want to build a real partnership with people and organisations across the City to attract tourism and other enterprises to the City to help ensure our future prosperity. “

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