January 2008

The New Year and last quarter
Has been a little less hectic and a good opportunity to recharge the batteries after Christmas, that said there has still been much to occupy the time:
Sunday 6th January - a fabulous concert by the West Sussex Youth Orchestra as well as a solo flute performance at Windlesham House School – such great talent and a delightful evening’s entertainment.
Monday 7th - the opening of the new dementia unit at Sussexdown in Storrington a very impressive facility and afirst visit to this important home although we drive past it every time we visit Chichester which is what followed for the final planning meeting for the Judges Service.
Wednesday 8th – an office meeting and planning with the RNLI fund raiser to carry on with the planning of the appeal for the new Shoreham lifeboat and station and an afternoon visit to Haywards Heath Police Station and time with the Scenes of Crimes Officers which was fascinating culminating in an offer to spend a day with them later on.
Saturday 12th – The Bi-centennial Service of Celebration to mark the establishment of Fonthill Lodge School at Swithun’s Church East Grinstead and reception at the school following the service.
Sunday 13th – Afternoon Tea on the Bluebell Railway to mark the inaugural run of the newly refurbished lounge car which used to take passengers from London to the cruise liners in Southampton – an excellent afternoon spent in the engines sheds, on the footplate and of course a sumptuous tea with the Chairman Graham Flight and his wife Sue.
Monday 14th – A quick trip to Chichester City Council for a joint meeting with the Clerk and Police to run through the arrangements for the Judicial and Civic Processions for the Judges Service – if the weather stays dry!
Wednesday 16th – back to Haywards Heath Police Station this time for a visit to the Road Policing Unit which was fascinating in the extreme given their stated objective of denying road access to the criminal element – we saw the automated number plate recognition system in use both in the station control centre and in a mobile unit.
Friday 18th – Judges Service at Chichester Cathedral unfortunately it rained but didn’t dampen our spirits! An excellent colourful service and sermon from the Dean with representatives from all areas of Judicial interest within the County. I was supported by colleague High Sheriffs from East Sussex, Dorset, Kent, Isle of Wight and Greater London as well as the Secretary of the High Sheriffs Association and the Under Sheriff for the Bailliwicks of West and East Sussex.
Tuesday 22nd – RNLI appeal committee meeting in Shoreham unfortunately the development has been delayed as the site has been designated “ Village Green” and the proposals have been called in for review by “Higher Authority” this is now adding to the costs as it was nor foreseen and the building contract should have commenced at the beginning of the month – a lively meeting!
Tuesday 24th – Planning succession meeting with Sir Richard Kleinwort 4th Bt DL followed by a “Taste of Sussex” reception hosted by Baker Tilly in the Royal Pavilion Brighton – so good to see Sussex food and wine being promoted.
Friday 25th – Visit to the County Records Office in Chichester where Richard Childs took us through the important work they undertake in the preservation of records for the whole of the County he had a light touch which made the visit all the more interesting as we examined records dating back to 1695 being the West Hoathly Parish Record and Tithe Map of the area – we also learned of the resource facilities they make available to all as well as the Film preservation unit for the whole of the South East!
Monday 28th – My all day visit with Scenes of Crime spent in Crawley taking finger and footprints from weekend scenes of burglaries and tidying up after as it can be a messy business – what a dedicated team of people they are with an incredible success record.
Wednesday 30th – Lunch with Board of the Queen Alexandra Hospital Home Worthing of which I am an avid supporter – they provide long term care to those suffering “Acquired Brain Injuries” primarily but not exclusively from the Armed Forces – they ran an appeal at the time our youngest son (21yrs) was called up as TA Officer for service in OPTelic 4 in Al Amarrah Iraq and as a family we have retained the connection. Having visited on many occasions I met Betty Deason who has been providing the shopping trolley and doing the shopping for the residents as well as supporting them at Sunday Church Services in their Chapel for 25 years an incredible story for a thrice times cancer sufferer who considered the residents to be her extended family. Betty was retiring and I was pleased to present her with a “ High Sheriff’s Community Award” in recognition of all she had done for the Community of Queen Alexandra Hospital Home as it was so richly deserved.