Almost at the end of my 44th week 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 269 events, visited 87 charities, been to prison twice, court twelve times, been to twenty-three Police events, five Fire Service visits, made 39 speeches and had nineteen dinners.

Since my last post the Christmas Carol season has been and gone. The final service of the year for me was at Chelmsford Cathedral. I read one of the Nine Lessons and Carols for Christmas. As the choir processed in, the lights dimmed and went out, in the dark we lit our candles and a soloist sang exquisitely the first verse of Once in Royal David’s City. Marvellous.

I visited Trinity House Harwich and had a guided tour by Andy Holt Director of Operations.  Fascinating to learn about their work.

One of the initiatives of my year has been to establish Breakfast with the High Sheriff. Over coffee and bacon rolls at Rivenhall Oaks Golf Centre, in conjunction with Active Essex we brought together charities and CICs that provide sports opportunities for young people with individuals and organisations interested in supporting such ventures.  It’s the third one I’ve done and I know positive things have happened as a result of people meeting and chatting.

My year finishes on 7 April so I am conscious of packing in as much as possible.  Three events in diary for tomorrow and one today, never a dull moment as High Sheriff.