Lock down continues and the High Sheriff is shackled to his desk and the Zoom screen. However, no different to all those in public office, many of whom carry out their tasks for much longer than a High Sheriff, we adapt to the circumstances and make good where we can....

A High Sheriff in isolation is a slight contradiction in terms – there isn’t a lengthy job specification but there is a requirement to get out and about. April has been spent locked inside with the smart new uniform proudly hanging in the cupboard – but life has been b...

My year of office began on Saturday 4th April, not in the traditional way with a Declaration Ceremony, but via a video link from my home. However, it was just as meaningful and poignant and does not detract from the important role of this ancient office in anyway. My t...

There have been 2 wonderful musical events this month.  The first was the Hertfordshire Schools Gala at the Royal Albert Hall. Organised by Hertfordshire Music Services and with the very talented Rufus Frowde as the Artistic Director and Conductor, there were two perfo...

We had a really wonderful and happy evening of celebration at the High Sheriff Awards this year, with so many inspiring groups and organisations to recognise.  My thanks to Stuart Storey our compere for guiding me professionally and gently through the evening, and to m...

On 3 March Herts Interfaith Forum and Hertfordshire County Council jointly hosted an Interfaith conference entitled Stronger Together, to discuss how different communities including faith communities might work together to face challenges in Hertfordshire. This event w...

February has seen lots of work on the preparations for my High Sheriff Awards next month.  We have 14 wonderful charities shortlisted in the categories that reflect my themes and focus this year – faith-based community projects, projects that support work on integratio...

High Sheriffs in England and Wales support National Crimebeat, a charity that recognises and rewards young people who devise and develop projects aimed at reducing criminal activity or promoting personal safety, both within their peer groups and in their wider communit...

2020 is the Year of Culture in Hertfordshire and I was delighted to open one of the first events, the Indian Raga Festival at the Watersmeet theatre in Rickmansworth. This was a day of workshops, competitions and an evening concert to celebrate Indian classical and mod...

I was privileged to attend 2 commemorations in Hertfordshire, and to visit the Bosnian community as well, over the weekend of events when we remember both the Holocaust and genocides since. The theme this year from the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust is “Stand Together”. 

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