April News
Welcome to my first news article since becoming High Sheriff. I took office at the beginning of April and have been incredibly busy! Here is my journey in the first month.
Week one
After a wonderful service in St Catherine’s Church, Sacombe, where I was officially declared High Sheriff, my first duty was to plant a tree in honour of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
As Co-Chair of the Fighting Breast Cancer Committee and hosting a charity event the following day, Gardeners’ Questions for the Herts Breast Unit Appeal raised nearly £5,000.
Supporting Westmill residents at a special lunchtime concert by the Maggini Quartet to raise funds for Ukraine, my first High Sheriff award was presented to HappyVanMan Colin Smith for collecting and delivering goods to London for onward route to Ukraine.
Accompanied by my police cadets, we cheered off Mayor of Hertford Cllr Bob Deering, on his charity walk for the Samaritans and Isabel Hospice.
Week two
Glorious afternoon at Bhaktividanta Manor, given to the Hare Krishna community by George Harrison in the 1970’s, to celebrate their Rama Navami spring festival, visiting the temple, planting a tree and even feeding one of their precious cows.
CDA Herts do amazing work in Hertfordshire, so a meeting with Kate Belinis DL and Sue Whiterod to discuss their Jobs Pathway Enterprise and Rocknplace projects, assisting ex-offenders, ex-addicts, people at risk and refugees. A huge help towards my focus on addiction.
Promoting the Hertfordshire Community Foundation and the Isabel Hospice was next on my list.
Week Three
Waving Gordon Morrison and Jim Tatchell off on their 170 mile walk to raise money for 12 Hertfordshire children’s welfare charities was a fun way to start week three, even though the sight of us at Bishop’s Stortford station caused some merriment to the Arsenal fans heading into London.
East Herts District Chairman Ken Crofton showed his appreciation of the voluntary work done by Parish and Town councils at a glorious garden party at the Henry Moore Foundation. A must place to visit!
What a fantastic group of Award winners at the Hertsmere Civic Dinner.
A behind the scenes visit to the Stevenage Magistrates’ Court inspired me with the dedication, professionalism and teamwork of the magistrates and staff.
Watch this space for news of my High Sheriff Awards in March, as the first planning meeting took place with the Hertfordshire Community Foundation.
Week Four
Emmaus Herts was founded 20 years ago, holding an evensong celebration in St Albans Cathedral with Terry Waite explaining its mission to help disadvantaged and homeless people get back on their feet.
My very first Ramadan Iftar hosted by One Vision in Watford, where senior Muslim representatives and the One Vision team, as well as Afghan refugees housed nearby broke fast together. The Garston Blue Watch firefighters dashed off to deal with an emergency in mid-conversation!