This evening I had the absolute pleasure of attending the Summer Celebration Concert presented by the Oxford Bach Choir and young singers from four Oxfordshire secondary schools: Cheney School, Europa School UK, Fitzharrys School, and Gosford Hill School. Held in the breathtaking surroundings of the University Church of St Mary the Virgin in Oxford, the…
This morning, beneath the soaring flagpoles in the shadow of Oxford Castle’s ancient stone walls, we gathered to mark the beginning of Armed Forces Week in Oxfordshire. With the County Council building just steps away, the ceremony felt deeply rooted in our civic and historical heart — a fitting place to reflect on service, sacrifice,…
On what turned out to be the hottest day of the year – with just a few tiny spots of rain to keep us on our toes – I crossed the county boundary into Buckinghamshire to spend the afternoon at Art in the Park, the vibrant celebration of Islamic arts, heritage and culture held in…
What a truly wonderful evening. Dorchester Abbey was alive with music, joy and youthful energy as children from across Oxfordshire came together to celebrate a very special milestone—the 40th anniversary of the Oxfordshire Festival of Voices. For four decades, this remarkable event has united schools and communities in the shared experience of massed singing. Tonight’s…
Tonight, Mark and I had the enormous pleasure of being guests of RAF Brize Norton – and what an evening it was. The highlight? A breathtaking display of precision parachuting from the RAF Falcons, Britain’s only military parachute display team. Watching them descend from the skies in perfect formation, trailing smoke and landing bang on…
I spent a delightful morning with the Key Stage 2 pupils at Woodcote Primary School—and what a thoughtful, articulate, and curious group they are. The visit began with a whole-Key Stage assembly, during which I was peppered with incisive questions from pupils right across the year groups. Everything from “Why do you carry a sword?”…
Earlier tonight, I had the great pleasure of attending one of the most uplifting events in Oxfordshire’s calendar – the High Sheriff Young Engineer Awards, now in their thirteenth year. Held at Abingdon and Witney College, and made possible through the generous sponsorship of Lucy Group, The Engineering Trust, and the College itself, the awards…
I’m indebted to the 7th Bicester Scouts who welcomed me so warmly to their meeting last night. It was a real pleasure to be grilled (gently!) by such an inquisitive and thoughtful group of young people. They asked incisive questions about the role of the High Sheriff—what I do, why the role exists, and what…
This morning, we came together at Thames Valley Police Headquarters in Kidlington, kindly hosted by Matthew Barber, Police and Crime Commissioner, and his office, for another in our series of Breakfast Conversations—gatherings focused on hearing the young unheard. Bringing together an extraordinary mix of voices—from policing, education, youth work, local government, and the voluntary sector—we…
This morning, I had the privilege of joining a Teams call with three inspiring colleagues from Oxfordshire County Council: Elena, Roz, and Rosie. The conversation was energising – a window into some of the most thoughtful, practical work I’ve seen when it comes to engaging young people in the decisions that will shape the world…
