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…
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 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…
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…
There are moments in a year as High Sheriff when a number of threads suddenly come together. Today felt very much like one of those moments. For the past twelve months my shrieval theme has been Hearing the Young Unheard. Not because young people lack a voice. Quite the opposite. Spend any time in schools,…
This afternoon I had the real pleasure of serving as guest of honour at the passing out ceremony for the latest cohort of Special Constables in Thames Valley Police. Seven young volunteers sat together on one side of the room. Smart, composed, perhaps just a little nervous. Opposite them sat their families, friends and supporters,…
This evening I was the guest of the Mayor of at a reception to thank the voluntary organisations of the town. It was one of those quietly uplifting evenings that reset one’s understanding of what really keeps a community functioning. Throughout this year as High Sheriff, I have been repeatedly surprised by organisations I had…
Last night’s Annual Dinner of the Oxford University Officers’ Training Corps was one of those occasions that manages to feel both timeless and thoroughly contemporary. Held in the magnificent surroundings of Balliol College, the dinner brought together more than one hundred officer cadets and their guests, filling the hall with that distinctive mix of ceremonial…
A cold February evening is not the night for boating on the Thames. But it was very much the right night to be at TS Euryalus, home of the Oxford unit of the Sea Cadets. With the weather keeping everyone firmly ashore, cadets, volunteers, families and supporters gathered for the Unit’s annual awards evening –…
A real delight to visit Witney Buttercross Scout Group this evening and spend time with the Marlborough Cub Pack, one of five Cub packs within the Group. For those who do not know it, Witney Buttercross Scout Group is something of a powerhouse. With more than 400 young people and around 40 adults in uniform,…
