Sarah Taylor this week took over from Tom Birch Reynardson as Oxfordshire’s High Sheriff, a year-long ceremonial and community role. During her shrieval year Sarah will be working with OCF to support and fundraise for people in the county who have caring roles.
The office of High Sheriff is the oldest secular office in country outside the monarchy. Today, the former very extensive powers that the office enjoyed have gone, and the role involves a mix of ceremonial, charitable and community functions. The role is voluntary, unfunded and non-political.
Just like former High Sheriffs Tony Stratton and Tom Birch Reynardson, Sarah will be working with OCF to channel any fundraising she does as part of her role. OCF holds a dedicated, ring-fenced named fund specifically for the office of High Sheriff in Oxfordshire, helping each person to easily raise money for the theme and cause of their choice. Sarah has chosen to support the many adults and children working for free as carers for their families and friends. In collaboration with Carers Oxfordshire, she will be hosting a series of free tea parties for carers at her home Rycote Park, and will hold a fundraising dinner and concert there on Saturday 24th June.
Sarah was born in Baghdad and brought up in France, the daughter of John Paskin Taylor and Ruth Taylor, MBE (née Dawson). She was educated at the Lycée Molière, Paris; Wycombe Abbey; Marlborough College and Wadham College, Oxford, where she read biochemistry. In 1984 she married Bernard Taylor, DL; they have one son, Henry.
She spent 11 years working as a fund manager in the City of London, for Phillips and Drew and UBS. After becoming involved in the centenary celebrations of Thame Community Hospital in 1997, she became Chairman of its League of Friends, a position she holds to this day and which has contributed to her awareness of the plight of carers. She is also a Visitor of the University of Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum (OBGA), a Director of the Friends of OBGA, a Trustee of the Oxfordshire Victoria County History Trust and Vice Chairman of the Thames & Chilterns Branch of the Historic Houses Association.
In 2000, Bernard and Sarah acquired Rycote Park and spent five years restoring the house and park and establishing the farm’s herd of Aberdeen Angus and flock of Castlemilk Moorit sheep. Sarah’s particular interests include gardening and music.
Find out more about OCF’s named funds