John May talks to Sophie Law on BBC Radio Oxfordshire about becoming the High Sheriff
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Pedals, Purpose and Pure Determination
If you’d told me that one of the most entertaining moments of my Shrieval year so far would involve standing on a sun-scorched airfield near Banbury, chequered flag in hand, as sleep-deprived teams of pedal-powered racers whirred past me after 24 hours on the circuit — I might have raised an eyebrow. And yet, that’s…
Back to Primary School – and Straight on to the Benches
There are few things guaranteed to keep one grounded in public life, and a primary school assembly is right up there. On Friday afternoon, Mark and I joined Windale School for their end-of-week celebration assembly – a school very much at the heart of its community, with a strong emphasis on inclusion, encouragement and helping…
Another month in office…
Dear friends, As May draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on a month that has brought moments of profound sorrow, stirring celebration, and powerful conversations. Each week has deepened my conviction that community lies at the heart of public service. And that young people, so often on the periphery of our decisions, must…
Giving Children Their Childhood Back
Sir Keir Starmer’s decision to ban social media platforms from offering services to under-16s is one of the boldest interventions in childhood and adolescence that we have seen from any UK government in recent years. On balance, I support it. That may surprise some people. I have spent much of my professional life championing young…
A Guide is made by her Promise, not her trousers
Whenever a long-established youth organisation changes its uniform, somebody inevitably declares it the end of civilisation. This week it is Girlguiding, which has announced the first significant whole organisation redesign of its uniform in more than three decades, (there have been other section redesigns along the way) alongside a simpler expectation of what members need…
30 years of the Rights of the Child
Today is the 30th anniversary of the signing of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. 30 years ago, I was a young and idealistic teacher, working in a primary school in Lichfield, Staffordshire. I remember reading about the Convention at the time and thinking how surprising it was that no-one had considered…
