For the first time in 8 years the Hampshire Fire and Rescue service had completed a new training programme for recruits and this day was the formal graduation. Families, staff and invited guests were shown a range of displays of the work of the new Fire and Rescue cohort including putting out fires, cutting a person from a car crash scene, rescue from heights, using the high pressure lance to enter a fire zone and reducing the temperature before entry and parading.  I gave out the awards and spoke to all the students who had done a 22 week programme […]

The High Sheriff of the Isle of Wight, Ben Rouse and I went out with the Marine Police on their boat Commander to patrol the waters off Cowes and Southampton Water. It was a very rainy day with high winds so visibility was poor but we learnt a lot about their work and the challenges they have in their specialist field. The port of Southampton is a very busy waterway with very complex management and multi-agencies overseeing it. A very interesting day out.

18th July Visit to the Specialist Operations Regiment near Fareham at HMS Dryad, home of the Defence College of Policing and Guarding. An amazing day seeing the work of this regiment of the Royal Military Police with its Forensics team, Cyber-Crime and Close Protection unit. I also got to see the famous D-Day map room in Southwick Park House. I was presented with a beautiful photograph of the visit of the Regiment to Beaulieu by Col. Belinda Forsythe.

Visit to the opening of the New Hampshire Police and Fire Heritage Trust at the Solent Sky Museum in Southampton. An excellent addition to this local museum with brilliant displays all done by dedicated volunteers to show the historic collections of Police and Fire service artefacts, pictures and displays. http://www.solentskymuseum.org

Visit to the Police Cadets at Applemore College near Hythe, Southampton to see the work of the local Police cadets and present some Duke of Edinburgh Bronze awards. Police Cadets units around Hampshire are increasing with strength and doing a lot of good work in the community and led by a great team of volunteers.

8th June Election night – A late night as High Sheriff reads the declaration of results of New Forest East and New Forest West constituencies at the Applemore Health and Leisure centre, Hythe, Southampton. Good to see healthy democracy of voting is so well run by local New Forest District Council officers and staff.

May 31st 999 Show at Beaulieu in support of the emergency services A day of celebration and support was held at the National Motor Museum Beaulieu to welcome Hampshire Fire and Rescue, Police, South Central Ambulance and many voluntary organisations to show off what they do and raise money and awareness of their work. A murder mystery was held in Palace House with members of the Royal Military Police Forensics team assisting visitors with their detective work and showing off their fingerprinting and camera technology. Retired Police dogs, police dog puppies, Special constables and even a Police horse and the […]

Portsmouth Legal Service in the beautiful Portsmouth Cathedral. Judges and members of the legal service of all sorts came from across the county along with civic leaders, representatives of Police and church to celebrate Morning prayer together with Bishop of Portsmouth. I processed alongside the High Sheriff from the Isle of Wight, Mr Ben Rouse resplendent in his navy velvet High Sheriff Court Dress. The Hon. Mr Justice Baker read the first lesson of the story of Solomon from the first book of Kings and I the Gospel reading of the story of the Prodigal son. The Dean of Portsmouth […]