December 2007

With Christmas fast approaching and the ninth month of appointment the diary is looking a little busy for the month – I will leave you to determine whether it was:
Sunday 2nd December and the first Carol Service with St Johns Ambulance Brigade (Sussex County) in St George’s Church Worthing followed by tea at the local centre.
Monday and by contrast a visit to Sussex Police Forensic’s Department in the afternoon. And what an interesting visit that was !– chemical analysis, finger print matching, shoe identification and a wealth of specialist skills with seemingly no end to their ability to find evidence where none would, at first view, be apparent. A considerable number of crimes are solved and solved quickly as a result of the hard work of this team and I take my hat off to them for all that they do.
Tuesday and off to West Downs Division of Sussex Police for the Divisional Awards Ceremony at their Worthing Centre – the awards were for some pretty spectacular work by officers, PCSO’s and members of the Public. A day made more memorable with the appearance of Police Dog “Otto” who took a fancy to my arm – fortunately my reactions were quick but it gave the Press something a little lighter to add to a memorable and humbling experience, as all said they were just doing their duty!
Wednesday and a Firebreak Presentation and Award at Crawley Fire Station – it seems well nigh impossible to attend that station without a call being received – the young people who had completed the course gave an excellent display, showed great teamwork and had, as they said “learned a lot from it”. It was a delight to see so many parents and school teachers present to witness the culmination of their training. It was also good to learn that they now receive basic first aid training given by the Ambulance Service – another certificate for the wall. Well done to West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service for giving these young people such a wonderful opportunity to improve themselves.
The evening was spent in East Grinstead at the Chequer Mead Theatre in support of the SSAFA Concert with the Band of the Grenadier Guards – brass music is a favourite of mine so an evening well spent and most enjoyable. Also took the opportunity to buy one or two “Christmas presents” for one member of the family who shares my musical taste!
Thursday and a chance for some succession planning, prior to attending a meeting of the Sussex High Sheriffs Awards Committee at Police HQ where we deliberated on the entries submitted for consideration – more about this in a later report as it would be a shame to give the game away too early! Then a business presentation at the South of England Showground entitled “ Mid Sussex Open for Business” a great opportunity to network – listen to presentations on the opportunities for improvement of the community and the desire to take the business culture forward.
Friday I joined Christine and her team of volunteers in preparing and lunching the “older” folk of our village to a Christmas Lunch, something she has been leading for what we believe is over 25 years – it is a great community event and very well received by all involved whether it is in the preparation or eating certainly there is no waste. Then off to Littlehampton by invitation of the Mayor to his Christmas Civic Reception for the community leaders, MP and others where the Mayor gave his “State of the Community” address. I am sure that none of us realise just how much is going on within each and every community – a long but very satisfying day learning a lot more about what is going on in West Sussex.
Saturday 8th we were fortunate to be invited to the Rededication of North Stoke Church which lies to the South of Amberley and is nestled into the Downs. The church had been deconsecrated but has been brought back into limited use by both Christian faiths with the Service being Conducted jointly by the Bishop’s of Horsham and Arundel. The Church is of Augustinian foundation and has a wonderful history and still no heating or power! Truly a day and service to remember.
Sunday and Mid Sussex District Council’s Civic Carol Service in Lindfield followed by tea in the Tiger, at which we had to proffer apologies as we had to leave for Chichester Cathedral where we were attending the “ Light up a Life” Carol Service organised by St Wilfred’s Hospice – a meaningful and moving service for us all.
Monday 10th and off to Heyshott to Canine Partners Training Centre for their Graduation Ceremony (the dogs that is) to which all associated with the dog from breeder to walker, kennels and trainer were invited as animal and owner were presented to the assembled company. These dogs are trained to do the most amazing work looking after and caring for those suffering with disabilities, we saw one press the lift call button, another had been trained in picking up items fallen from the wheel chair and others proficient in placing their owner in the recovery position and calling for help! We even met Endal the dog who won the George Cross. What a difference these wonderfully trained animals make to the lives of those with whom they live. I could go on but had better not, look them up at: http://www.caninepartners.co.uk/ there are many ways you can help and not just by giving money! That evening and in marked contrast to the morning I attended HM Prison at Ford for their Carol Service which was sadly somewhat delayed by a power cut, which saw us locked in to the Chapel for security, but perhaps that made it the more special, as we had some small feeling of what it was like to be locked away from the world.
Tuesday evening we were lucky enough to be invited to the West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service’s Carol Service in Chichester Cathedral, it is “a must do service” made the more meaningful this year as I have spent time with many of the officers who do so much for the community. The Choir and musical accompaniment was provided by Bourne Community College and were truly excellent as is their Ofsted report but a little more of that later.
Wednesday evening and back to the Cathedral for the Bishop Luffa School Carol Service which was also a wonderful treat, with some beautiful soloists, followed by a late visit to the Mayor of Chichester’s at home in the Council House.
Thursday evening and we were back in the Cathedral for Chichester University’s Carol Service and again a different and delightful service with a brass ensemble playing outside in the cold to welcome us, so we knew we were in for another treat.
Friday and this time it was to Arundel, where we were invited by the Western Bench to attend their Presentation Evening at which long service presentations were made by the Lord Lieutenant and the change of Bench Chairman was recognised in expressions of gratitude and goodwill. Unfortunately we had to leave a little early as we were collected, by agreement, by the Mayor of Arundel, Colin Heriot and his wife Jacquie, who took us on to the Cathedral for a Christmas Concert, to which the Dean had invited us. It was a special evening possibly made more so by the Choir of whom at least one of the young Choristers added a certain something to the meaning of Christmas – our first time in the Cathedral which looked beautiful since its major clean.
Monday 17th and Carols at Lewes Prison in the evening with the residents participating in a new version of the Christmas Story as well as the singing of carols and mince pies thereafter It is difficult to express in words the mixed feelings as we left , free to go home, yet knowing that others could not, the impact that has upon them and their families and always the big question why – they look no different to any of us – where and why do we sometimes go wrong – is it in the manner of making or just a difference in opportunities that have come our way. An unanswerable question for if we knew the answer we wouldn’t need prisons!
Wednesday and Adur District Council’s Christmas Blessing and Carol Service in St Mary de Haura Church Shoreham, a most beautiful Church where we were supported by the local brass band, entertained by “Naked Voices” unaccompanied vocalists (which included the Council’s Chief Executive!), the choir and hand bell ringers. A chance too, for all to Re-Dedicate themselves to Public Service.
Thursday 20th and an early attendance at Bourne Community College in Southbourne on the South Western edge of the County to attend morning Assembly as their Anti Bullying programme had been awarded “ Highly Commended” status in the National Crimebeat Awards, having previously won the Safer Community and Sussex High Sheriffs Awards. I was greeted by the Head Boy and Girl waiting patiently outside on a cold and very frosty morning, taken in to a musical accompaniment and briefed over coffee by the Head Teacher and Chairman of Governors and accompanied by my predecessor Charles Fraser and the County Council Cabinet Member for Education. We entered the hall, were entertained by the Choir, whom I had first heard in the Cathedral, and entertained to a Carol Duet and another musical piece before making the Award. This was followed by a Diana Award to a pupil who had gone out of his way to ensure that those considered vulnerable and at risk were cared for and supported. I was then given a tour of the college with all hard at work, despite it being the last full day of term. I had learned that Bourne Community College had been awarded an excellent OFSTED report and it was plain to see why, given the commitment of all associated with the College - both Staff and Pupils alike, all of whom are justifiably proud of the place which, for the first time ever, has a waiting list for new entrants.
That afternoon I visited the “Information Shop” in Horsham, where John Belton, the originator of the idea of providing facilities for young people to get help, be it seeking work, health and or drugs issues as well as a drop in facility, was retiring, and I had been asked to present him with a Community Award for all he had done. The first centre was opened in Horsham and are now established in six towns throughout the County. John’s foresight has helped countless numbers of young people and his award is well deserved, as is a long and happy retirement – he will now be found helping out in the Adur shop to fill in time!
Then home to the Village Carollers who were calling to entertain our invited guests for the evening and in so doing raise money for St Catherine’s Hospice which they have been doing for a number of years and have been calling on us for about twenty five years.
Friday 21st and Chichester Cathedral for the Cathedral’s own Carol Service which was a feast of Music and lessons, a homily from our Lord Bishop and mince pies in the Cloisters to conclude – what better way to end a week and really start our family Christmas Festivities with the family guests being entertained at home by the Village Carollers and the Candlelight Carol Service at Highbrook to which we were accompanied by my Father and Stepmother who then stayed on for supper with other members of the family.
With all good wishes for 2008