No sword or spurs for the new Lord Lieutenant

Janet Bowen, having just stood down from chairing the Highlands and Islands Volunteer Council of the Red Cross, recently received an unexpected letter from Number 10 asking if she was prepared to let the Prime Minister put her name forward to the Queen as Lord Lieutenant for Ross-shire, following the sad death of Sir Roderick Stirling of Fairburn.

After some agonising she decided to do so and the result was the Friday 20th April announcement that she is to be Ross-shire’s first lady Lord Lieutenant.

“Following Rod Stirling is going to be really tough, but I do promise to give it my best shot.  At least I have an outstanding example to follow.” said Janet.

The mother of two grown up children had been expecting to wind down following some 26 years involvement in the voluntary sector, including some 20 years serving on the Children’s Panel, 5 years with Leonard Cheshire Homes as well as working with Children 1st, the Highland Hospice, WRVS and other charities.  She is also an active member of the “church family” in the local Episcopal church. 

“Whilst it’s not a job I could ever have expected I think that there’s still work to be done on a number of fronts to build on everything that Rod Stirling did to liaise with units of the armed forces, which of course includes cadets, to support charities, to make sure that folk who deserve to be recognised are, to raise the profile of Ross-shire, and to represent the Queen where appropriate.   I very much look forward to meeting people and travelling to all parts of Ross-shire.”

Her husband Kit said “I could not be more proud of her, and I have no doubt that she will do a terrific job”.

As a female Lord Lieutenant she will still be addressed formally as Lord Lieutenant,  but she will not be able to wear the formal uniform (with sword and spurs) that men do.  Instead she will wear an insignia.

Janet Bowen follows her father as a Lord Lieutenant.  Captain Alexander Matheson RN of Brahan died in post in 1976.