21 recipients have been announced each receiving commendations for their great work in the community. The High Sheriff Awards are a mark of distinction and recognition given to individual volunteers, groups and public servants based in Hampshire who are making a significant contribution to society, focusing on law and order related projects, particularly those that enhance safety and cohesion in our communities. Many of these individuals and groups go beyond the ‘call of duty’ in their everyday work and deserve special recognition for their commitment. The awards were presented at a ceremony held in the Great Hall in Winchester, one […]

The historic Great Hall was the setting for the event, where the County Council Chairman, Councillor Elaine Still, raised the Commonwealth flag, while the Hampshire Fanfare, composed by Jock McKenzie from the Hampshire Music Service, was played by trumpeter, Peter Symonds student Thomas Toledo-Brown.  Commonwealth Day celebrates how friendship, goodwill and collaboration among the culturally diverse 53 member nations can be harnessed to promote peace and prosperity to improve the lives of the 2.4 billion people who live there.

An excellent morning with some super enthusiastic, interesting and motivated individuals all happy that they are pulling together for a very worthwhile project.  New state-of-the-art premises provide great atmosphere and the ability to work directly with individual clients and families, with a wealth of experience working with a variety of charitable and public sector organisations, NHS Trusts, local authorities and many more.

Attended the AGM and 25th birthday party and was impressed to learn about the range of support offered to families and indeed the scale of what has been achieved.  I was particularly interested to learn about the work being undertaken at HMP Winchester alongside Spurgeons.

Great to spend time with Andy Kennedy and colleagues from Y Services For Young People, together with those benefiting from the services provided.  It was interesting to learn so much about the fantastic work being undertaken.  Happy, interested and motivated people of all ages were very clearly getting much from both volunteering or working with Y Services and benefiting from the offerings.  This positive attitude helps in so many ways.

I met with Ram Kalyan “Kelly” and colleagues from Unity 101 Community Radio in Southampton to learn about the fantastic work they are doing.  Unity 101 operates in an area where there is great need and their input makes real impact on lives.

I had great pleasure in attending a Cachalots Sea Pie Supper on the 8th February and was very impressed not only to see so many of those involved in maritime operations locally were present, but also to note how far many of those had come to attend too.  The new club captain has a great platform from which to combine the traditions of the ages with the relevance in the modern world.  

The Chief Constable Awards Ceremony recognises long service of both Police Officers, Police Staff, Support Workers and Volunteers.  The Chief Constable presented her commendations,  congratulations and awards to Officers, staff and members of the public who go above and beyond the line of duty and service to the community of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.  

An invitation from the Lord-Lieutenant to a preview evening of an exhibition drawings by Leonardo da Vinci from the Royal Collection was held at Southampton Art Gallery on the 31 January 2019.  The evening began with a private tour of the exhibition followed by the main launch and speakers; some truly beautiful works of art.

Civic Prayer Breakfast held at King’s Community Church, Hedge End.  Thought provoking content and speakers included Cllr. Bruce Tennent – the Mayor of Eastleigh, Don Spalinger  – Director, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the University of Southampton, Nick Tustian – Chief Executive Officer, Eastleigh Borough Council and Andy Johnston – Senior Pastor, King’s Community Church.  Andy also gave a brief tour of the building which has one of the largest auditoria on the South Coast.

A moving and poignant service an laying of wreaths at the Basingstoke and Deane War Memorial.  The theme “Torn from Home” does indeed encourage us to reflect on how the enforced loss of a safe place to call home is part of the trauma faced by anyone experiencing persecution and genocide.  With so much going on all around, it is important that we have these “moments” when we can reflect on both how lucky we all are, and also how easy it is to look the other way at key moments.

Paul Campbell QPM gave a fascinating and very informative presentation and tour of the National Maritime Operations Centre at Fareham.  90+ Coastguards based at the Operations Centre at Fareham serve Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Dorset East Devon and part of Sussex.  The start of the art operations centre means the NMO can put their knowledge and skills to good use in co-ordinating search and rescue missions.

A very uplifting occasion showcasing the great facilities and services on offer at Brendoncare Otterbourne Hill  The services on offer are in such great demand and there are so few places  that can match what Brendoncare Otterbourne Hill offer. There is no doubt , whilst the facilities are second to none, that it is the staff – the carers and nurses on a day to day basis that make it so valued by the residents and their families. The smiles and positive vibes sent out by all staff suggest they have a great formula. www.brendoncare.org.uk/care/our-care-homes/otterbourne-hill

Celebrations for 110 years of Hampshire Scouts kicked off in style with a successful event at the Emirates Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth.   Special guests including Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for Hampshire (and President of Hampshire Scouts), Nigel Atkinson Esq, Hampshire’s High Sheriff, Mark Thistlethwayte, the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth and other Civic Heads, joined young people at the Emirate’s Spinnaker Tower to celebrate 110 years of adventure.  Guests were able to talk to Hampshire’s young Scouts and their leaders and gain a real insight into what Hampshire Scouting achieves in preparing young people with skills for life.  The event didn’t just […]

A stimulating tour given by Captain David George and his team.  The scale of the naval base needs to be experienced to fully understand the challenges faced in juggling the historic dockyards and the 21st century operations of the navy…all in close proximity to commercial and pleasure traffic.   It was particularly interesting seeing some of the accommodation for sailors and gaining an understanding of how they need to live their lives.

The Rev’d Sweet, Brother John and Martin Pringle gave a fascinating and uplifting tour followed by the Epiphany Gaudy lunch at the historic and beautiful Hospital of St Cross, Winchester.  It truly is amazing how the buildings and gardens are maintained to such a high condition. www.hospitalofstcross.co.uk  

The Youth Commission held a conference to give the Police and Crime Commission their recommendations based on the findings from consulting more than 4,000 of their peers across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton to identify the most important crime and policing issues for young people and local actions they eel can be taken to make improvements. Mental health came out as the issue of most concern to young people with 55% of those taking part in the consultation selecting it as their top priority.  Staying safe online came second, hate crime third and unhealthy relationships fourth. At […]

The HS visited the Family Court in Portsmouth to gain an insight and feel for some of the challenges faced by the judiciary. One point of note that is very clear is the effort that goes into each case to ensure the optimum outcome for the participants.

A memorial service was held at Christ Church in Christchurch Road, Winchester hosted by the Joint Operations Policing Unit to mark the United Nations Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.  Local dignitaries, police officers and colleagues from the ambulance and fire services joined members of the public in a poignant act of commemoration.

The Countess of Wessex visited the newly renovated Chapel at Royal Victoria Country Park to mark its formal opening.  Her visit follows a sensitive £35m project to conserve the chapel for future generations funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Hampshire County Council. The Countess took a tour of the chapel before signing a scroll which was placed in a time capsule containing recovered and conserved plans to be buried under the original foundation stones of the hospital.   The Countess unveiled a plaque which was placed on the original hospital foundation stone.