The woman who became the first Lord-Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire to join Twitter says her first year in office has been “hectic and remarkable.”

Cambs Times: Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire Julile Spence with cadet Emily WhyteLord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire Julile Spence with cadet Emily Whyte (Image: Archant)

Julie Spence appointed the first Sikh deputy lieutenant, Mr Jaspal Singh, and over seen attendance at 24 different Remembrance services in a single day.

Mrs Spence, whose role is representative of the Crown in Cambridgeshire and was formerly the county’s Chief Constable, admits that in the early stages she found her responsibilities ‘rather daunting’.

“Everyone expects you to know what you are doing, for example if you are the first to lay a wreath,” she said.

“With a dose of common sense, good fortune and support from others, I have navigated the elephant traps and maintained the dignity required of the office I proudly hold.

“This year has enabled me travel around the county and to understand even more about its complexity.

“Many think Cambridgeshire is an affluent county. This however masks great diversity; we have over 153 different cultures and nationalities living in the county and the enormity of the wealth/poverty gap, best exemplified by two wards in Cambridge where two thirds of the children live in poverty, and in Wisbech where there are wards in the bottom 10 per cent in the country.

“Only in London is there greater polarity between rich and poor but our divide is complicated by rurality.” she said.

During her first year she has awarded three British Empire Medals, eight Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, appointed five new deputy lieutenants – including Jaspal Singh, five Lord Lieutenant’s cadets and welcomed six members of the Royal Family to different parts of the county.

She has attended numerous events including ANZAC Day and the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial day.

She fulfilled her New Year’s resolution and joined the ranks of Twitter to spread the message of the work of the Lieutenancy @Lord_Lt_Cambs with a new website due to be launched.

In all things she says she has been ably supported by her 35 deputy Lieutenants.