February - 18th March 2008

This is a time when the common comment is “So are you beginning to run down now?” No such thing if anything the invitations and visits for the remainder of the year seem to keep on coming and long may it continue.
It really is a great privilege – have I said that before? The opportunity to meet so many people of all ages, interests and faiths all seeking to improve the lot of others within the County and one visit invariably opens doors to others.
1st February a good way to start with the Opening of the Petworth Police Station where the old facilities were time expired and new modern facility has been built and linked to the former Governor’s House – which used to be home of the Governor of Petworth Prison. That explains why, when we spent time with the County Archivist we learned that Jury Summons were issued to people of Worthing to attend Petworth Court – not sure how they got there in good time though!
2nd Saturday was an excellent morning as a guest of Haywards Heath Police to observe a search team operation whereby a scenario was presented to the Neighbourhood Watch search team who assisted by the Lowland Dogs Rescue team were to seek out hidden clues and ultimately the “body”. This followed a presentation on the work of the specialist search officers, their role and the way in which they have come to appreciate and call on the work of these volunteers who give of their time so freely to help. A very impressive morning and a very successful day as the objective was achieved
Sunday 3rd Was Plough Sunday and the NFU and The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution “resurrected” the tradition of a Plough Service in Chichester Cathedral with representatives from the agricultural industry across West Sussex commencing with a wonderful parade of machinery old and new through the streets of the City. The Plough being pulled into the Cathedral by representatives of the Young Farmers Clubs. A formal dress occasion and a real delight to see the return of a great tradition.
5th Tuesday and Steyning Grammar School for the launch of their Millennium Trust. The scheme is designed to reward those young people who are achievers, those on the fringe who quietly look after parents, those who do something in the community – those who would otherwise be passed by in terms of academic excellence awards as they struggle to balance life/work requirements with personal and family responsibilities. What a wonderful scheme and idea as in many cases it is the “Achievers” who get the rewards whereas without a benchmark of standard it would be difficult to identify achievement.
I was surprised to learn that Steyning Grammar, a County School, is unique in that it offers boarding facilities and was until recently the largest secondary school in Europe.
7th Thursday West Sussex County Council “Safer Places” presentations and awards – this being the culmination of effort and achievement for those young people who whether at school or in a youth group have made a significant progress in identifying areas of concern as to personal and public safety and found ways of addressing and reducing the risks of crime to their community.
There were excellent presentations on the work they had each achieved and together with my colleague The High Sheriff of East Sussex, we were seeking an award winner which we could submit for national recognition in the High Sheriff’s Association “National Crimebeat Awards”. Oathall Community College were our selected winners with their project and work in reducing bullying. Well done indeed.
Friday 8th The funeral of Major General Ronnie Buckland CB, MBE, DL husband of former High Sheriff Mrs Judith Buckland at Lyminster – what a man of achievement in his Military, Civic and Personal life.
Saturday 9th Succession Planning meeting to search for future High Sheriff’s
12th Tuesday Sussex High Sheriff’s Awards meeting at Police HQ Lewes to which the High Sheriff’s in nomination for East and West Sussex were invited and attended as part of the lead in to the role for next year.
The evening was spent in Steyning with St John’s Ambulance Cadets and Badgers for an exciting and invigorating learning experience – the enthusiasm of trainers, beavers and cadets was infectious – we are so lucky to have volunteers so willing to give of their time to encourage young people and impart skills setting them up for the future. Do I sound like a record yet?
14th Thursday and trip to Brighton (cross border!) to the Police Museum in Brighton Town Hall – an interesting and fascinating visit well worth doing and one I have already recommended to others. To learn more follow this link: http://www.sussex.police.uk/about_us/aboutus_museum.asp
Saturday 16th Crawley Ethnic Minority Partnership AGM and for me a speaking engagement on my role – a wonderful morning of listening, learning and networking for me – in which I continued to learn a lot more and like a lot of other voluntary organisations funding is a big issue and worry for the future of the organisation which is the lead authority in West Sussex doing a lot of hard work and achieving a very great deal for the wider community.
18th Monday on home turf here in the village (forgive the pun) planting an apple tree, one of three, in the Priest House Garden of this wonderful property owned by the Sussex Archaeological Society again to find out more about this and other sites to visit follow the link: http://www.sussexpast.co.uk/property/site.php?site_id=17 The event was organised by the “Friends of the Priest House” to replace trees which had failed. It was wonderful day with a bright cloudless blue sky and chocolate box cottage (not sure the puritans would agree with the description) but a wonderful village event. West Hoathly is the oldest Conservation Area in West Sussex!
19th Tuesday and Dinner at home for the Lord Lieutenant and other guests.
Wednesday 20th RNLI pre committee meeting at my office in Burgess Hill
21st Thursday Chichester University Governors Dinner at the Bognor Campus – the University is going from strength to strength and seems to be the University of first choice for many of the A level students we have met over the last 10 Months.
Friday and Saturday were a couple of nights off with the celebration of our local MP’s 60th Birthday and attendance at the Royal Albert Hall for the Mountbatten Festival of Music by HM Royal Marines an annual outing arranged by our youngest son and a great family get together.
Sunday 24th West Sussex Guides Thinking Day Service in Chichester Cathedral the first for very many years and well attended too. It is nice to see such traditions being maintained and or renewed.
Monday 25th Red Cross first aid training day in the Mayor’s Parlour at Brighton Town Hall – an excellent introduction to CPR as well as minor injury bandaging and a broad range of what to do and not do in an emergency – A very patient and encouraging team of tutors who did well to keep us in order and to time table. Well done the Sussex President for organising and arranging the whole day. Thank You.
29th February – having got this far in the diary you will have noticed that on Valentine’s day we went to the Police Cells – well on this day being certain that no one would want to propose to a High Sheriff we shared dinner and a convivial evening swapping stories and sharing experiences with colleague High Sheriffs from East Sussex, Kent, Surrey and the Isle of Wight the thought being “our extra day in office” and one we could repeat every four years – well we enjoyed it so much it looks like being an annual occurrence.
MARCH
To bring us up to date as I am so late publishing this update I thought it best to keep going while the mood suits.
1st Saturday and a morning attendance at the request of the Mayor of Chichester to the opening of “Pavimenta” an exhibition of Mosaics jointly arranged and funded by the City of Ravenna and Chichester City Council who are twinned with each other and presented at the Fishbourne Roman Palace at Chichester – another property owned by the Sussex Archaeological Society – again a wonderful place to visit.
Then the evening was spent with West Sussex Scouts at their Dinner at the conclusion of the first day of their 2008 Conference where as ever we were made most welcome and much to our embarrassment won the raffle of dinner for two anywhere in West Sussex – I will leave the Scouts to reveal the rest of the story – but a great evening with some very enthusiastic and committed volunteers seeking to drive the movement forward in the years ahead.
4th March and the launch of the “All Dome Video System” at the South Downs Planetarium in Chichester on a day which also enable all present to mark the 85th Birthday of Sir Patrick Moore who has been so supportive of the Planetarium, its volunteers and the work they are doing in making science more exciting for young people (those are their words not mine and by golly are they enthusiastic) it was a great introduction to the facility, who like many others are looking for funding. They need to raise £200, 000 of which they have managed to “squirrel” a great part in order to build a teaching facility where practical projects can be undertaken by young people as well as providing a place for multi school visitors to eat their lunch! All offers direct to the Planetarium please no matter how large or small – follow the link for address for donations and of course details of shows: http://www.southdowns.org.uk/sdpt/
It also happened to be my birthday too so what a wonderful way to spend it star gazing into the future and a return home to a family party.
5th Wednesday St Catherine’s Hospice 25th Anniversary Reception at Warnham Park and a presentation by the Chief Executive Sean O Leary on the future plans for this wonderful caring place of comfort for so many families
Friday 7th Attendance at Chichester Crown Court for Christine and I to observe the Judiciary at work and an opportunity to thank the Court support team for all their hard work in making the system work.
Saturday 8th a fun afternoon with the East Grinstead Beavers for which I was asked to wear full uniform – the sword was a major talking point – again what dedicated volunteers engaged in supporting these young people with the physical and mental challenges of the afternoon at the conclusion of which they all received certificates.
9th Sunday Littlehampton Lifeboat where there are two in shore lifeboats operating from modern premises at the head of the slipway to the river Arun – the fastest flowing river in England! A treacherous bar at the entrance to the harbour and direct access to the English Channel. On arrival we were met on the stairs by a young man submitting his application for membership of the crew and he was followed by the owner of a boat the crew had helped the previous evening – he came to express his thanks! A demonstration of the boat handling skills in front of the slipway and both boats headed out to see for exercise, whilst we did the same thing and stayed behind to await their safe return. A great team of people with a vibrant crew of young men and women from a variety of interests in life. A Different sort of volunteering but one where they seek to save lives, whilst at times putting their own at risk –but they don’t talk about that! Well done folks and well done the Arundel and Littlehampton branch who raised £40,000 last year and who are now panicking as to what they may achieve this year and what will happen if they don’t match or better last year’s achievement!
Tuesday11th Blond McIndoe Research Foundation at Queen Victoria Hospital where HRH The Princess Royal as Patron was visiting – what incredible work the team do in the continuing development of skin grafts for burns, damaged eyes and cartilage a day in which my knowledge was further expanded by a group of quiet and unassuming professionals.
Then to Chichester for an appreciation of Ivor Novello in support of the Mayor’s Charity
13th Thursday to lunch in Worthing with the Mayor and Consort and on to Chichester in the evening for a visit with St John Ambulance their Badgers and Cadets – again an exciting and vibrant evening where knowledge is imparted in the gentlest of ways and they all have fun learning and expanding life skills. Congratulations to Miles on selection as Cadet of the Year and all good wishes for success in the National Competition.
Friday 14th Lunch for the High Sheriff in Nomination with former High Sheriffs of the County in readiness for the year ahead and then to Bognor for the Bognor Town Council Civic Reception at the Regis School of Music.
Saturday 15th a day off spent at Twickenham to good effect as it was England’s best match of the Six Nations Cup, although it didn’t seem that way in the first six minutes!!!
17th Monday – Sussex Police Long Service and merit and gallantry awards to which we as High Sheriff’s were invited to bring our award scheme winners for a formal presentation of their certificates being Oathall Community College from Haywards Heath and Groombridge Youth Council both of which will now go forward to the National Crimebeat Awards competition to be held later in the year.
18th Tuesday and attendance at a National Crimebeat Review Workshop at which we hope to review the working arrangements and plan for the continuing future of the scheme. To find out more and download an entry form for the Sussex High Sheriff’s Awards follow this link: http://www.sussex.police.uk/about_us/highsheriff_form.aspx
And for Crimebeat follow this link: http://www.national-crimebeat.org.uk/