2021 began in the same way as my term as High Sheriff began – in the midst of a nationwide Lockdown! Thankfully skills have been learned along the way,  and so despite the restrictions, there have been some great opportunities to ‘see’ and highlight more of all Hampshire has to offer to enable law and order to be valued and upheld, so that as many communities and individuals as possible are able to flourish safely.  Law Sunday Virtual Fringe Event In early January, in partnership with Winchester Cathedral, a new, Virtual Experience, held within the beauty and splendour of the […]

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance   https://www.hiowaa.org/  December got off to an exciting start, with a virtual tour of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance station along with ‘visits’ to training facilities and on board a helicopter! The skill, dedication, wisdom, and courage of the staff was more impactful and poignant for seeing all that was displayed from the warm comfort of my own home, which made for a sharp contrast. I commend the tour to you – link here https://youtu.be/liq-NuQt-jQ  – It was impressive, professional, and engaging. From the descriptions of the training, the views […]

Despite the 2nd lockdown, November was a full month with both virtual and Covid safe actual visits to charities and other organisations.  I was honoured to attend our local Remembrance Sunday Service in Oakley and lay a wreath in honour of the police who served in the Wars.  I also recorded a short reflection for the Mayor of Basingstoke’s Remembrance Day service. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rRNhFlGYzM&list=UUp34LAXFMyIl7dANEo3v3jQ&index=15&t=10s  It was a month of Annual General Meetings for Winchester charities which gave good insight into the way they have responded with creativity and compassion as they have worked out how to provide ongoing excellent care even […]

Hampshire Healthy Families – Barnardo’s I met on Zoom with Suzanne Shields, the Basingstoke lead for Barnardo’s Hampshire Healthy Families partnership with Southern Health Foundation. Suzanne opened the door on the vast range of initiatives which sit under this banner:                                                                                Five To Thrive (a Parenting Approach) for parents/carers of babies aged between 6 weeks to 6 months; Baby Talk for parents/carers of […]

With deep gratitude to Winchester Cathedral for all their hard work in ensuring a Covid safe service of worship, Law Sunday Choral Mattins went ahead on 11th October, albeit in a very different form to any Law Sunday in living memory – and I suspect any Law Sunday Choral Mattins Winchester has ever seen!  Despite a very small congregation, a very distanced and relatively sparse procession, and no congregational singing, it was an especially appropriate gathering – to be together giving thanks for and praying for all who contribute to the safety and security of Hampshire in these very unusual […]

Early in September I met with two Hampshire city wide initiatives where it was heartening to hear about charities connecting together for the greater wellbeing of their cities. Both these groups have responded and risen to the great challenges that Covid has placed on all their various resources. It is fantastic to see how working together increases the common good!  The first of these was Love Southampton https://www.lovesouthampton.org.uk/partners  I spoke with Paul Goodman, one of the founders of this church based movement, which began long before Covid was part of our experience, and has a history of working really well […]

Releasing Potential www.releasingpotential.com In 2001 Mike and Jo King established this organistion from their spare bedroom in Havant. I spoke with Mike on the phone to hear that they now have 50+  staff and indeed find ways to ‘release potential’ in some of the most marginalised and ‘hard to reach’ 11-18 year olds in Hampshire and surrounding Local Authorities.  They run 2 specialist schools, a farm site, allotments, an adventure centre, and small social enterprises. Through each of these resources they offer extraordinarily rich and diverse, holistic and compassionate education, care, experiences, relationships  – in short somewhere where hurt and […]

On Saturday 15th August, echoing events across the country,  I attended a service to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VJ day at the Cenotaph in the Municipal Gardens in Aldershot, with representatives from the 1st Battalion Irish Guards, Rushmoor Borough Council, Aldershot Garrison, The Shots Foundation/Aldershot Town FC and the Royal British Legion, and the Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire. The Padre, Major Albert Jackson of 1st battalion, Irish Guards gave a moving reflection on John’s Gospel 15:9-14, focussing on those who lay down their lives for others and caused us to reflect deeply on those who suffered appalling as prisoners […]

The Roberts Centre http://www.robertscentre.org.uk/about/ In 1990 Princess Diana laid the foundation stone for The Roberts Centre building. I can’t claim to provide quite such a glamorous photo opportunity but I am delighted to be standing with Carole Damper, the CEO of the Roberts Centre, in  front of that same building which for 30 years has had a pivotal role in supporting local vulnerable families to break the cycle of deprivation in which they are caught. From the child centred Contact Centre, where children can meet with family members with whom they do not currently live, to supported lodging for .l […]

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Criminal Justice Board are holding a family open day at Winchester Law Courts.  Open 10am until 3pm on Saturday 14 October. Visit the cells and see inside a prison van Find out how to be a magistrate Watch a mock trial: do you agree with the verdict? Try on the judge’s robes and sit in the chair Have your fingerprints taken and meet the police Bouncy Castle Face painting Lots more fun for the family! Their is no car parking available at the law courts, so please use Park & Ride or the city centre […]

I gave a Sheriff Reward to Tommy Wood of Foresters Road, Fawley. Mr Woods was awarded this by the HM Courts and Tribunal service for his great bravery in regard to his actions in trying to protect a victim in an assault and sustained injuries as a result. The case resulted in the arrest and conviction of Callum Jarman of assault by beating, wounding with intent and assault to a constable. Mr Wood met me for presentation of the cheque at Beaulieu and was delighted to have been recognised for his bravery. I was very impressed with the brave actions […]