Veteran educator chosen to lead Hanover JPs’ association

Western Bureau:

Veteran educator Sandrene Hill-Sherwood, a long-serving teacher at the Sandy Bay Primary School, is the new chairperson for the Hanover Justices of the Peace Association (HJPA) after being elected at that body’s recent annual general meeting (AGM).

Hill-Sherwood, with more than 20 years of experience as a classroom teacher and 10 years serving as a justice of the peace in the parish, was elected unopposed during the AGM held at Lucea’s United Church Hall.

Hill-Sherwood, who will be supported by a 12-member executive, replaces outgoing president Keneisha Pyne-Palmer, who had served three consecutive one-year terms at the helm, the constitutional limit within that organisation.

Speaking with The Gleaner following the election, Hill-Sherwood said she and her team would not be taking their new responsibilities lightly, as they were committed to working together as a cohesive unit, serving with integrity and dedication.

“If you look at the mix that we have, it is a very strong and vibrant team, and we definitely will be working on building on the work done by the previous executive,” she said.

“I believe that the previous executive team laid a good foundation, and so we are committed to strengthening that foundation first and foremost.

“We want to be more visible in our communities as we continue to serve with dedication, in terms of providing leadership in our communities,” she added.

The team includes Glenroy Griffiths, vice-president; Brandon Clarke, secretary; Nadine Jackson, assistant secretary; Nadine Brissett, treasurer; Garfield Mairs, assistant treasurer; Hillary Wells-Bucknor, Kerrian Campbell-Matherson and Daviena Williams, liaison officers for Western Hanover; and Giselle Muir, Andria Dehaney-Grant and Elan Doeman, liaison officers for Eastern Hanover.

According to Hill-Sherwood, the new executive will be hitting the ground running, as they have already devised an action plan geared towards strengthening the association and supporting the roles of the JPs within the communities.

The change in the executive of the HJPA is the first under the leadership of current Custos Lennox Anderson Jackson, who took up the position in 2025 following the sudden death of Dr David Stair, who served in the position for several years. Anderson Jackson was sworn in as custos on April 4, 2025 and officially installed on July 17 that year.

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