From Cheshire’s historic waterways to one of the county’s most ancient civic roles, Lynn Pegler’s journey has come full circle. The former British Waterways communications manager is the new High Sheriff of Cheshire, pledging a year that celebrates the county’s canals, culture and communities.
LYNN, who is a public relations and communications specialist for the Canal & River Trust, was formally installed at a ceremonial event held at Norton Priory Museum and Gardens in Runcorn. The role of High Sheriff is the oldest secular office in the UK outside the monarchy, dating back more than 1000 years to Saxon times. Although now largely ceremonial, the position remains highly respected, with each High Sheriff appointed by King Charles III for a one‑year term to support the Crown, the judiciary, law enforcement, emergency services and voluntary organisations.
Lynn, a deputy Lieutenant from Crowton, near Northwich, brings a wide range of professional and cultural experience to the role. She is chair of the trustees at Norton Priory, a board member of Halton Chamber of Commerce and former festival manager of the Weaver Words Literature Festival in Frodsham. She has also established her own business, Pegler Communications, and has worked in the media, government and the arts for more than two decades.
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Born and raised in Blackpool, she began her career as a newspaper journalist with the Westmorland Gazette in Cumbria. She later moved into government press and public relations work, first with the British Army in Preston, a role that included service during the First Gulf War and visits to military units overseas. This was followed by ministerial public relations roles with the North West Central Office of Information in Manchester and Liverpool.
After relocating to Cheshire in 2000, she became a regional communications manager for British Waterways, based in Northwich, where she promoted the region’s canals and river navigations. Her work included supporting the relaunch of the restored Anderton Boat Lift in 2002.
Alongside her professional career, she has remained deeply involved in the arts. She has organised seven Weaver Words Literature Festivals, published two poetry collections, and written and staged three plays, including performances at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. She is also a violinist with Chester Philharmonic Orchestra and an award‑winning director, writer and actor with Cheshire community theatre group the Kingsley Players.
Speaking after her installation, Lynn said her year in office would focus on promoting arts and culture and celebrating Cheshire’s waterways, alongside supporting Crimebeat and the Cheshire Community Foundation to highlight local charities and voluntary organisations.
“A year is such a short time to make a difference,” she said, “but I am planning to hit the ground running. I want to focus on promoting arts and culture and our county’s wonderful waterways through the Canal & River Trust, as well as shining a light on the county’s incredible charities and voluntary groups.
“In place of the traditional sword, I’ll be wielding an official pen, crafted by a member of the Cheshire Woodturners Guild. As we all know, the pen is mightier than the sword.”
A key priority during her term will be work with children and young people. As a reading champion with the Literary Trust, she plans to promote the National Year of Reading, support Chester’s Storyhouse, and use drama to help launch a new digital child safety campaign, Get Phone Smart. The initiative, delivered by Chester theatre‑in‑education group 2Engage, aims to educate young people and parents about the risks of social media, including sextortion and the sharing of intimate images. Lynn said reports of online child safety issues had risen dramatically in recent years and warned of the lasting impact such incidents can have on young lives.
Married to Clive Naish, she has two grown‑up children and three stepchildren, and said she is looking forward to becoming a grandmother for the first time this year.
