One of the quiet joys of being High Sheriff is being asked to open things. This evening I had the pleasure of doing just that at Wesley Memorial Church in Oxford – though there was no ribbon to cut, only the rather more meaningful opportunity to open a door and welcome everyone present into the…
What a joyful law service it was today, just over the border in Buckinghamshire, supporting their High Sheriff, Pippa Kirkbride. It was a true celebration of community, song, and reflection – and all the more special for being shared with fellow High Sheriffs from neighbouring counties: Berkshire, Bedfordshire, Leicestershire, and Hertfordshire. The music was simply…
The City of Dreaming Spires has a new addition to its iconic skyline Mark and I were pleased to attend the launch of the Red Hall at Oxford North this week – a striking new building that has already become a landmark in the north of the city. The Red Hall is the centrepiece of…
This evening brought a particular joy, and a trip down memory lane, with a visit to the 1st Langford Village Cubs. It was working with Cubs in Bristol in the early 1980s, as service for my Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, that set me on the path of more than 40 years of volunteering with…
Over the past week I’ve been in touch with senior colleagues in Thames Valley Police about the climate of fear being stirred nationally around asylum hotels and migrant communities. I asked for a clear-eyed picture of what’s really happening here in Oxfordshire – and I want to share some of that with you. Chief Superintendent…
Yesterday I joined the Lord Lieutenant on a visit to Trax, a charity that has been serving young people in Oxfordshire for more than thirty years. Founded in the early 1990s as a “motor project” to teach mechanical skills, Trax has grown into a well-established alternative education and training provider, helping young people who might…
I try not to use the word inspirational too often in this blog, but to be honest it’s quite difficult not to. The people I am meeting around the county this year – and the causes they champion – are genuinely inspirational. It is not hubris that makes me write this, rather genuine awe at…
At tonight’s Oxfordshire Scouts County AGM, I had the great pleasure of hearing our High Sheriff’s Cadet, Emily, speak about her experiences during her first six months in the role. In just a couple of minutes, she captured beautifully what the Cadetship has meant to her so far. Emily spoke about joining me at events…
Today I visited the Civil Nuclear Constabulary at their headquarters in Culham – a very useful and informative meeting with Chief Constable Simon Chesterman, followed by time with the force’s newest recruits. As part of the new officers’ induction, I was asked to explain the role of the High Sheriff and its history. I kept…
Last night, Mark and I spent a deeply powerful evening with Survivor Space Oxfordshire as they gathered supporters and friends for dinner at St Hilda’s College, Oxford. It was wonderful to see Sally Scott at the event, former High Sheriff and now championing the Lieutenancy’s support for combating domestic violence. Survivor Space Oxfordshire is the…