One Month on

With the Easter break a dim and distant memory, the duties started again on the 11th April with a visit to Ford Open Prison where we saw the work being done in training "inmates" by providing them with skills that would see them into employment on release. The skills ranged from commercial and industrial cleaning and motor vehicle valetting through horticulture to decorating and heavy machining with such extras as forklift operation as well. Wherever possible qualifications are taken as an aid to employment on leaving. All vocational training was based upon demand for skills throughout the County. The visit was long and and informative in very many respects and a welcome break was in sharing a plate of chips from the luncheon menu whilst being shown the kitchens. I am grateful to the Governor for allowing us the opportunity to visit.
Next day we were back in Chichester (is there a theme developing here?) this time as guests of the Mayor of the City of Chichester Cllr Rob Campling who showed us around the City Hall, Chichester being the oldest City in West Sussex and one of, if not the oldest on the South Coast!
Chichester holds a special place in our family - Christine's Uncle and Aunt Jesse and Alice Eastland were, each in their own right, Mayor (47 & 49) and Mayoress (52 & 53) of the City and both were made Honorary Freemen of the City in 1959. Public service is not new to the family.
Colin's Father, still alive at 87, served in the Yeomanry and was part of the British Expeditionary Force with his embarkation Service taking place at Chichester Cathedral. subsequently our youngest Charlie attended a Judicial Service in the Cathedral on his return from serving with the TA in Iraq by way of thanksgiving. It was our family who built and operated the Crematorium in Chichester until 1994 and suffered the problems of the flooding of the river Lavant, in 2000, on whose banks it is built.
That same evening we were entertained by the Worthing Guides and Scouts in their "Gang Show" at the Pavilion Theatre Worthing and what a great evening that was, with much enthusiasm of all who took part including leaders and helpers - with the audience joining in a roof raising rendition of "Ging Gang Gooly" Well done all and thanks for a great night out.
Saturday we were back in Worthing at the Assembly Rooms for the West Sussex Youth Orchestra's Easter Concert. The young musicians from across the County had completed a week's Easter Schooling in order to improve their already high level of performance the culmination of which was a very excellent concert with the first half showing of the skills of the Brass and woodwind, Strings and Percussion sections in individual pieces. What a feast of music and well done to all especially the music teaching team who had given of their time. Another excellent yet different night out in Worthing.
We started the following week with a visit to Turners Hill Fire Station which is a "retained" station meaning that all of the team are volunteers and have to be available to answer a call within four minutes! We learned so much from them as to the work they do within and for the community apart from fire fighting and rescue services. They even have their own gym in order to keep fit, not a demand made of High Sheriffs!
Tuesday I was on the beat in Horsham and surrounds with a PCSO in order that I could appreciate for myself the work that they do in support of both the community and the regular force. That evening after a change into full uniform I attended and presented the Prince's Trust Awards for a group of young people who had committed to working as a team in order to enrich their lives as a first move in personal fulfilment and a step toward employment, having as part of their challenge raised a significant amount of money for the Springboard project and took responsibility for a number of young persons on an Easter Egg hunt as part of their charitable commitment. What a wonderful achievement - I was as proud of them as were their family and friends. Well done.
The following evening we were on our way back toward Chichester for the District Council's Chairman's reception at West Dene a most beautiful property nestling under the Downs where we were able to network and set up a few more future appointments.
With the week nearly over we joined members of the Army Benevolent Fund for a Curry Lunch at Baker Barracks Thorney Island, (the home of and by permission of the Commanding Officer 47th Regiment Royal Artillery) before Colin had to head back to Crawley for a Saturday evening's night patrol with E section of Crawley Police finishing in the not so early hours of Sunday morning having seen all clubbers safely away to their beds. I am full of admiration for the Police for the manner in which they showed great consideration and care for members of the community and handled those who felt that agression was the way to resolve anything and that was before we arrived at the scene. I just wonder why and where personal respect has gone - seemingly lost in blur of excess alcohol.
So Sunday was back to Chichester for the Scout and Guide St George's Day Parade and what a marked contrast in attitude and behaviour, from the night before, all smartly turned out with pride and polish for "Our English Day"! and all this in the Centenary year of the establishment of the Scouting movement, still the biggest youth organisation in the world. Well done all.
Guess what Monday saw us back in the Cathedral for the Royal Sussex Regiment's St George's Day Service at which the Dean of Chichester, just back from Germany preached a most meaningful sermon. This was followed by a buffet lunch in City Hall where Christine and I had the opportunity of meeting many of the members of the Regiment and listening to their tales of the past. Of particular delight was meeting the younger members of families, with no other commitment other than to Parents, who had taken time off in order to bring them to the service.
A meeting to assist in Fund Raising for St Wilfrid's Hospice in Chichester and then home.
Tuesday we were fortunate enough to have been invited to Muntham House School which is a very special place caring for those with educational behavioural difficulties where we learned a lot from the Chairman of Governors Mrs Carol King and Headmaster Richard Boyle - a visit which will last for a long time in our memories. Then off to St James's Palace for the Church Army "One to One" reception in the presence of the Earl of Wessex where we met a number of young people living on "inner city estates" where drugs and crime were common place. These young people had rejected the gang influences and found support through the Church Army to concentrate on education, support for others with one telling us that he was an enrolled Police Cadet. Great people and an experience to share with them. Certainly a day to remember!
Then on Wednesday evening we were guests of the Caravan Club at a reception and dinner held at Firle Place as part of a conference they were holding for similar support associations with which they were associated from around the world - have now been offered a warm welcome in Ugand, The Sudan, Turkey and many other Countries of the world all of whom were fascinated by the history of the Office of High Sheriff.
A meeting with the Chairman and Organiser of Crimestoppers, the number to ring to report anything or anyone with anonymity guaranteed, to see what can be done to raise awareness and tomorrow Friday 27 April a visit to Lewes Prison.
So it seems that one month and a very full diary of commitments that we have gone full circle and apart from the location and type of prison we are back where we started!