I have just completed seventeen weeks as High Sheriff of Essex. To keep track of my adventures I have put up a map of the county in my office. In addition to red dots on the map for where I have been on official duties, I also keep a few running totals.

The updated stats to date are that I have now clocked up 130 events, visited 43 charities, been to prison once, court six times, been at twelve Police events, four Fire Service visits, made 26 speeches and had ten dinners.

Since my last post my opinion hasn’t changed that Essex is a marvellous place filled with remarkable people doing great work, many of whom are volunteers.

In the middle of July I attended the Dunmow Flitch Trials, a delightful mix of tradition and am-dram, in good humour, wide age range of participants, meticulously organised. What fun!

In the last few weeks, I have spent time with serving police officers. I learnt from the Marine Unit that if you have a theft from your boat, report it. It may seem trivial but it helps them build a picture of crime.

From the Road Policing Team I learnt three things: get dash cam, video is evidence, have what3words on the home screen of your phone. Another thing: take a selfie with your kids before a day out. If you lose them, it will show what they look like and what they are wearing, and also that you are a trusted adult.