MY last act as High Sheriff of Wiltshire was the annual ‘Rule of Law’ service in Salisbury Cathedral, which celebrates the rules and ceremonies which hold our society together. It’s a grave event as well as very social. It was probably the warmest day of spring so far. Blue skies, daffodils dancing in the light spring breeze. Salisbury Cathedral was its inspirational and iconic self, the spire which I climbed so recently soaring heavenward. This year the service had a dual role, The ‘Rule of Law service’ and the installation of the new High Sheriff, and my handing on the High Sheriff’s baton to Lady Penny Marland.

The service was magnificent, preceded by the procession of all the Mayors of the county in their flamboyant gowns. (Affectionately known as the ‘chain gang’, they could unquestionably sink a ship with the weight of bling on show.) Then came a second procession of judges of every class, High Court, district, crown, barristers, all in different coloured robes and their finest wigs.

Then it was the leader of the county, Baroness Scott and MP James Gray, the Lord Lieutenant and High Sheriff bringing up the rear of the positively Ruritanian procession.

It felt odd to process down the centre aisle through a congregation of Lords and Ladies, knights of the Realm, brave soldiers including my old friends from the Queens Dragoon Guards who went to the North and South Poles with me and the great and good people of Wiltshire of every kind. It personified everything about pomp and ceremony and our traditions; I felt privileged to be part of it.

With the organ blaring we slowly processed down the aisle to our seats. The Canon welcomed us and asked us to take a minute's silence to think.

It was actually timely; it gave me time to reflect on my year as High Sheriff.

It made me think that just a short while ago our idyllic lifestyle had been shattered by a terrorist who had but one aim, to destroy everything we stood for and assault our democracy. A car initially smashed into railings under the very window of my MP James Gray; he saw the whole horrid saga unfold.

I reflected on a wonderful year travelling around our lovely county, visiting a huge variety of people and organisations. It was great to see the various charities that help everyone from young to old with a variety of needs – good, honest, caring people who want to give something back to society and to those less fortunate than themselves.

I attended several medal ceremonies, especially those receiving the British Empire Medal – decent ordinary people with a lifetime of service to their local community.

Central to my year, of course, and exemplified in today’s ceremony in the cathedral was the rule of law. From the time of Magna Carta (the best copy of which is kept in Salisbury’s Chapter House), every man woman and child has a right to a fair justice system which the judiciary tries to deliver. We prayed in the ‘Rule of Law’ service that they have the strength to do so.

If only we could show this and explain it to those foolish people round the world, who in some perverted way believe that an act of terrorism could somehow or another better society, or that they were in some way doing something good by trying to destroy the very fabric of our free democratic society.

The service was celebrating the very thing they were trying to destroy – good people who in their very DNA want to give back to society – mayors, MPs, judges, Lord Lieutenant, High Sheriffs and charities.

Lady Marland’s declaration as she became the new High Sheriff was everything that is good and humbling in this great county and country, and from which no terrorist act will ever make us waiver.