A huge national and international 3 day exercise involving 30 organisations, over 2000 people to simulate a disaster and test and train all participants. Hampshire is a leading rescue service in International Search and Rescue and has a team on 6 hour readiness to go anywhere in the world to assist in such things as earthquakes, tsunamis or disasters. I was fortunate to be asked to attend as an observer and be able to see first hand this very important trading exercise in Fort Widley and Fort Purbrook where scenarios were set and procedures tested with rescue teams including use […]
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South West Legal Support Trust fundraising walk in Southampton.
South West Legal Support Trust fundraising walk in Southampton. I attended the start of the 100 legal professionals doing a 10km walk around Southampton to raise much needed funds for the SouthWest Legal Support Trust. It is one of 8 legal support trusts which operate across England and Wales to raise and distribute funds to charities which provide free legal advice. help and support services to vulnerable people. Sponsored by College Chambers in Southampton and assisted by the Law Society of England and Wales, the walk was a great success on a nice dry mild evening and well supported by […]
Continue readingPortsmouth Legal Service in the beautiful Portsmouth Cathedral.
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 […]
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Change over day 5th April 2017
Wednesday 5th April 2017 was change over day from High Sheriff Tom Floyd to me. Wednesday 5th April was change over day from High Sheriff Tom Floyd to me. I read and signed my ‘Declaration’ to High Court Judge Hon. Mr Justice Warby in the Winchester Law Courts to an assembly of court officers, judges and guests. It was a fantastic occasion, made very special by all concerned and we then sat in to watch the mornings on-going trial with the prosecution barrister cross examining the defendant in a manslaughter case. I wore my new High Sheriff uniform for the […]
Continue readingMagistrates Mock Trials Competition Winchester Crown Courts on March 18th
Another round of the Magistrates Mock Trials Competition was held in Winchester Crown Courts on March 18th. The winning team, pictured here, is from Robert May’s school in Odiham. They will go on to the regional final to be held in Worthing on May 5th where they will meet South Wilts Grammar School who won the round in Southampton on March 11th.
Continue reading2017 Community Awards
HIGH SHERIFF OF HAMPSHIRE ANNOUNCES RECIPIENTS OF COMMUNITY AWARDS The High Sheriff of Hampshire Mr Tom Floyd has announced the 21 recipients receiving commendations for good work in the community. The High Sheriff Awards are a mark of distinction and recognition given to individual volunteers and community groups based in Hampshire who are making a significant contribution to society, with a particular emphasis on safety and cohesion in the community. The Awards were presented on 15th March at a fitting ceremony held in the Great Hall in Winchester, one of the finest surviving aisled halls of the 13th century containing […]
Continue readingMock Trials Competition, Southampton Crown Courts March 11th
A round of the Mock Trials competition was held in Southampton Crown Courts on March 11th. The schools competing were Saint Edmunds Catholic School, The Westgate School, South Wilts Grammar School and Christ the King School. South Wilts Grammar were the winners of this round and will go forward to the regional finals.
Continue readingLord Chief Justice, Lord Thomas visits Winchester
On February 14th, the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Thomas visited Winchester. He came to hear a variety of appeals against sentences previously passed in the Hampshire Courts, the appeals were not successful. Lord Thomas was sitting with the Hon Mr Justice Dingemans and the Hon Mrs Justice May, the two presiding Judges on the Western Circuit, seen on either side of the Lord Chief Justice in the centre. The Judge in red is the Honorary Recorder of Winchester, His Honour Judge Keith Cutler CBE.
Continue readingThe High Sheriff visits GAFIRS – the Gosport & Fareham Inshore Rescue Service.
The High Sheriff visits GAFIRS – the Gosport & Fareham Inshore Rescue Service. The High Sheriff visits GAFIRS – the Gosport & Fareham Inshore Rescue Service. GAFIRS provides rescue cover for H.M. Coastguard for much of the Solent and all of Portsmouth Harbour. In 2016 they responded to 113 incidents, helping nearly 200 people, including saving 3 lives. GAFIRS is an independent charity entirely staffed by volunteers a number of whom were busy today on essential maintenance work.
Continue readingLong service certificate to Val, Roberts Child Contact Centre
The EC Roberts Centre is a unique child focused Charity in Portsmouth with a range of services offering support and assistance to families in addressing their situation of homelessness or dealing with the issues of relationship breakdown. http://www.robertscentre.org.uk/
Continue readingCountess of Wessex came visit to Brendoncare in Chandlers Ford
On November 22nd the Countess of Wessex came to visit Brendoncare in Chandlers Ford. In the line up to meet her was the High Sheriff of Hampshire and Mrs Floyd and Cllr Keith Chapman, Chairman of Hampshire County Council, and Mrs Chapman; all were introduced to HRH by The Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson.
Continue readingJOINT CYBER-CRIME CONFERENCE HELPS CHARITIES
JOINT CYBER-CRIME CONFERENCE HELPS CHARITIES PROTECT AGAINST CYBER-ATTACK A cyber security conference organised by Tom Floyd DL, the High Sheriff of Hampshire and Chairman of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HIWCF) was held at St John’s House in Winchester on 10th November 2016. The event was a joint initiative between Action Hampshire, HIWCF, Hampshire Constabulary, Fixers, Southampton University and Vermont to help smaller charities and voluntary organisations protect themselves against the threat of cyber-crime. Over 70 participants attended from organisations across Hampshire, with a closing speech by the Mayor of Winchester Cllr Jane Rutter. In 2014, £1.2 […]
Continue readingThe Hampshire Legal Service was held in Winchester Cathedral on October 9th
The High Sheriff’s procession lining up in the Inner Close, before processing into the Cathedral. Included are the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire Mr Nigel Atkinson and his wife Christine. High Court Judges the Hon Mr Justice Dingemans, Sweeney and Dove; the High Sheriffs of Hampshire, Isle of Wight, West Sussex, Surrey, Berkshire, Dorset and Gloucestershire; the Under Sheriff of Hampshire and the High Sheriff’s chaplain Canon Roger Job. The preacher was the Bishop of Lynn, the Rt Reverend Jonathan Meyrick. The service was a wonderful tribute to all involved in the administration of Law and Order with over 700 guests. […]
Continue readingThe High Sheriff spends time with Motiv8 in Toronto Place Gosport.
On August 3rd, The High Sheriff spent time with Motiv8 in Toronto Place Gosport, followed by a visit to the Gosport Summer Passport Scheme. This offers a whole range of diversionary activities for secondary school children for 3 weeks in the Summer after the Schools break up. Everyone was thoroughly enjoying themselves. High Sheriff of Hampshire visits MOTIV8 Gosport, Gosport Summer Passport and Gosport Marine Scene Hampshire High Sheriff Tom Floyd visited Motiv8 in Gosport to see the way in which it takes care of our young people. Motiv8 exists to improve the life chances of young people. This reduces […]
Continue readingHigh Sheriff and friends getting a briefing on the bridge of HMS Dauntless.
August 2nd High Sheriff and friends getting a briefing on the bridge of HMS Dauntless in Portsmouth Harbour. In May 2017, Portsmouth will see the arrival of the first of the new aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth.
Continue readingVisiting the Hampshire Farmer’s Market stall amongst many other wonderful exhibits at the New Forest Show.
Note the enthusiastic supporters in the background!
Continue readingBen Ainslie Racing Visit
Before racing for the Americas cup I visited BAR (Ben Ainslie Racing) with the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth and Donna Jones, Leader of Portsmouth City Council. Ben Ainslie and his crew won the final race which puts them in the lead to challenge the USA in next year’s Americas Cup in Bermuda.
Continue readingSaturday night out with the Police
The responsibilities of the High Sheriff are centered around law & order and on May 14th I joined the police for a Saturday night out in Basingstoke Town Centre. Despite a new venue attracting very large numbers of happy revellers, everyone was extremely well behaved. My thanks to the police, the PCSO’s, the Street Pastors and all those whose efforts are committed to making our streets fun but safe
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