This evening, Mark and I had the pleasure of spending a couple of hours in one of Oxford’s most beautiful spaces, the Sheldonian Theatre, for a performance of Edward Elgar’s great oratorio The Kingdom by the Oxford Bach Choir. We were seated in the Proctor’s Box, which offers a rather wonderful vantage point from which…
I spent an inspiring morning today at the Oxford Combined Court Centre watching the Oxfordshire round of the Magistrates’ Court Mock Trial Competition. For those unfamiliar with it, the competition gives young people aged 12–14 the chance to take part in a realistic courtroom experience. Working in teams, students take on the roles of lawyers,…
On Friday morning I joined my fellow High Sheriffs of Berkshire and Buckinghamshire at Worton Park for the Thames Valley Police Shrievalty Merit Awards. These annual awards recognise individuals and teams whose work has brought particular credit to Thames Valley Police over the past year. It was a pleasure to spend time with officers, staff,…
On Thursday evening I had the great pleasure of attending the High Sheriff of Berkshire’s Awards, hosted by Sean Taylor at the beautiful Vicars’ Hall within the precincts of Windsor Castle. The setting itself is extraordinary. Vicars’ Hall is one of those places where history seems almost to settle into the walls, and gathering there…
This evening, Mark and I had the pleasure of attending a dinner with the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, celebrating long service and a series of well-deserved commendations. It was a relaxed but purposeful evening – the sort of occasion that reminds one just how much quiet professionalism underpins our national security. Much of the pleasure came…
On Monday evening we gathered in the beautiful surroundings of Pembroke College, Oxford for the High Sheriff’s Awards 2026 – a chance to celebrate individuals and organisations whose courage, compassion and commitment strengthen communities across our county. My sincere thanks to The Rt Hon Sir Ernest Ryder PC DL, Master of Pembroke College, for his…
One of the pleasures of serving as High Sheriff of Oxfordshire is the opportunity to see the extraordinary range of people and organisations quietly enriching life across our county. This morning I travelled to Farmer Gow’s, near Longcot, to open the new Janet Gow Farmyard – a project that has been years in the making….
Last night I had the great pleasure of attending the Mayor of Witney’s Annual Civic Reception and Citizen Awards, hosted by the Mayor of Witney, Councillor Andy Bailey. It was a warm and uplifting evening – a reminder that so much of what makes our towns and communities thrive comes from the quiet dedication of…
This evening Mark and I had the pleasure of attending a truly special event – the first ever Ramadan Community Iftar held at Blenheim Palace. Organised by the Dialogue Society Oxford in partnership with The Oxford Foundation, and in collaboration with the Thames Valley Civic, Community and Faith Leaders Group, the evening brought together a…
Mark and I spent a fascinating morning with Alasdair, a Police Constable with the Rural Crime Taskforce of Thames Valley Police, gaining a real insight into the challenges and realities of policing our rural communities. We began with a visit to W C Green & Son, a long-established farming business in the village of Combe,…