CORNWALL LIEUTENANCY PRESS RELEASE
Edward Bolitho follows in his grandfather’s footsteps in becoming the Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall
30 August 2011
The new Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall has been confirmed as Colonel Edward Bolitho, the current High Sheriff of Cornwall, who will be following in the footsteps of his grandfather when he takes up his new role in mid September.
The Lord-Lieutenant is Her Majesty The Queen's personal representative in Cornwall, with the prestigious appointment made by The Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister. Although the role is a historic one, today’s Lord-Lieutenants fulfill a wide range of duties. These include the co-ordination of Royal visits, presenting certain honours and awards on behalf of The Queen, promoting the honours system and supporting the Regular Armed Forces and the Reserves. They also encourage the voluntary and charitable sectors, as well as taking part in citizenship ceremonies and chairing the Lord Chancellor's Advisory Committees which appoint magistrates.
Edward Bolitho replaces Lady Mary Holborow who is about to retire after seventeen years as Cornwall’s and the Isles of Scilly’s Lord-Lieutenant. His grandfather Sir Edward Bolitho served as Cornwall’s Lord-Lieutenant between 1936 and 1962 and Colonel Bolitho, who has been a Deputy Lieutenant since 2008, is looking forward to his new role.
“Lady Mary Holborow has done an outstanding job as the Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall and it is a very great honour for me to have been asked to succeed her” he said. “My family have been involved in the life of Cornwall for centuries and, since returning to Cornwall after 20 years service in the Army, I have hugely enjoyed being part of the community again.
“For the past thirteen years I have been running family businesses in west Cornwall and been involved in various business and charity organisations here. During my time as Lord-Lieutenant I shall try to continue Lady Mary’s exceptional work as Her Majesty The Queen’s representative in Cornwall and to do what I can to help the many different aspects of Cornish life to prosper. I greatly look forward to the fun and the challenges of the years ahead. “
55 year old Colonel Bolitho, who was born in Penzance and studied at Pembroke College, Cambridge, returned to Cornwall in 1998 after a career in the Army. He joined the Grenadier Guards in 1978, serving with the regiment in numerous parts of the world and commanding the 1st Battalion between 1993 and 1995 during which time he was awarded the OBE.
Since returning to Cornwall he has been running Bolitho Estates, a family owned business which develops, renovates, and leases out farms, houses and commercial properties. It also manages various leisure activities, including TrewiddenGardens, TrengwaintonGarden (in partnership with the National Trust) and holiday properties and is closely involved in conservation matters. He is also Chairman of the SW Region of the CountryLand and Business Association (CLA) and is involved in many local activities, including the Penzance Sea Cadets, the Penwith Farming Forum and the Royal Cornwall Show.
“I am delighted to be handing over to Edward Bolitho, who will be following in the footsteps of his grandfather” said Lady Mary Holborow. “We are all lucky to have a Cornishman to succeed me as Lord-Lieutenant, a role which he will fill admirably”.
Colonel Bolitho is married to Alexandra and the couple have three children, twin daughters and a son, who are all enthusiastic Cornish Pirates’ supporters.
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Notes to editors
For further information or to arrange interviews with Colonel Bolitho please contact Trisha Hewitt, Media Relations Manager for Cornwall Council on 01872 322186