Almost at the end of my 49th week as High Sheriff of Essex and of my year-long tenure. 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 287 events, visited 91 charities, been to prison four times, court thirteen times, been to twenty-five Police events, five Fire Service visits, made 44 speeches and had 22 dinners.

By the end of my time as High Sheriff of Essex I will have clocked up 300 engagements.

Highlights of the past few weeks have been:

Welcoming The Duchess of Edinburgh to Essex. The Duchess of Edinburgh was announced as the new patron of Mothers’ Union and visited one of their projects, English for Women, in Chelmsford.

High Sheriff of Essex Awards 2024 -2025, Hylands House, Chelmsford. What a terrific evening! Awards presented, £162,000 of funding announced, 250 people attended, fantastic atmosphere,  celebrating voluntary work in Essex.

Passing Out Parade, Essex Police Headquarters. The sun shone on families and friends who gathered with pride to watch 77 officers mark the end of their training. We the public should appreciate and remember that in times of crisis they step forward to help us.

Chelmsford 41 Club Regional Cluster meeting, Ivy Hill Hotel, Margaretting. I was asked to give vote of thanks to our inspiring speaker, British Olympian Lewis Richardson . I closed with a quote from Muhammad Ali: “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth”.

It’s been an honour and a privilege to serve The King and Essex as High Sheriff.   I have striven to do my best and maintain the integrity of this remarkable 1000-year-old civic role. Thank you to all that have made my tenure possible.

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.

I’m almost at the end of my 35th 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 225 events, visited 78 charities, been to prison once, court eleven times, been to twenty-two Police events, five Fire Service visits, made 36 speeches and had eighteen dinners.

In the last month visits have included council visits, hearing about how they work with local police in community safety partnerships across Essex. The more time I spend with Essex Police the deeper my respect for them. In a world where negatives and soundbites travel fast it’s impossible to convey the depth of earnest effort and thought that is put into keeping us safe.

On Thursday I joined others to welcome HRH The Princess Royal to Essex. Quietly, efficiently and planned to the second, Essex Police provided security – highlighting another point on the spectrum of policing.

My experience from business is that if you have a good team doing good work. Pay them fairly, give them the best equipment and support them. Reducing already pared-back budgets is folly.

I have just started my 31st 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 200 events, visited 68 charities, been to prison once, court ten times, been to twenty Police events, five Fire Service visits, made 34 speeches and had seventeen dinners.

On 12 October I attended Sankalpo Chelmsford Durga Puja 2024. A warm welcome from hospitable hosts. I learnt about the annual Durga Puja Festival, met the organisers, gave some advice and tasted some very tasty food.  Thank you for making me so welcome.

10 November, Remembrance Day Service, The Cenotaph, Southend-on-Sea. I laid a wreath. The older I get the deeper this event impacts me. Lest we forget.

What’s next? Christmas is on the horizon! Carol service invites are coming in thick and fast.

I have just started my twenty-sixth 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 165 events, visited 54 charities, been to prison once, court eight times, been to seventeen Police events, four Fire Service visits, made 30 speeches and had twelve dinners.

Earlier this week I participated in unveiling of a statue in Chelmsford entitled ‘I am Love’. Luisa Di Marco, the organiser and inspiration behind the event, is determined to empower youngsters to make the right choices in life. On a damp, dark evening, between a busy road and railway line all sorts of people gathered to stand together, support and applaud her aspirations.

The Justice Service is the biggest event the High Sheriff is responsible for in their shrieval  year. We mark the beginning of the legal year by processing into Chelmsford Cathedral.  My thanks to Bishop Guli, Canon Janet Nicholls for a terrific sermon, High Sheriffs from neighbouring counties, my Police Cadets, the Under Sheriff and all those behind the scenes who made the event something to be proud of. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yl0u7dlE7AY

I have just started my twenty-second 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 143 events, visited 45 charities, been to prison once, court six times, been at fourteen Police events, four Fire Service visits, made 28 speeches and had eleven dinners.

Since my last post my opinion hasn’t changed that Essex is a marvellous county, and having spent several more days with Essex Police I realise more than ever how well the county is policed.

In Essex we have an impressive culture of volunteering.  At a recent event I presented Colin Cooper with a High Sheriff’s Award,  recognising his 61 years as a volunteer helping the visually impaired. What a remarkable man.

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.

I have just completed three months 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 108 events, visited 35 charities, been to prison once, court six times, been at eight Police events, three Fire Service visits, made 22 speeches and had nine 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 my travels I have come to the conclusion that the area that is overlooked for funding is the justice system. I visited a magistrates’ court recently and noted its fabric wasn’t worthy of the good people that worked there. Many people won’t be aware magistrates preside over 90% of all cases and are volunteers. They deserve better.

The Knife Angel has been installed at the top of Southend High Steet. I was at the event to start its month’s residence. A powerful sculpture that I hope will make people think.  We all should ask people why they carry knives and be prepared to deal with their answer.

I have just completed nine weeks as High Sheriff of Essex. To keep track of my adventures as High Sheriff I have put up a map of Essex 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 eighty events, visited twenty-nine charities, been to prison once, court four times, been at six Police events, two Fire Service visits, made fourteen speeches and had eight 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.

I was asked to speak at the Southend Beacon Lighting on the evening of the 6^th June to commemorate D Day.  As High Sheriff I am asked to do many things, all in their own way important and some are a great privilege and an honour.

I have just completed my first month as High Sheriff of Essex. To keep track of my adventures as High Sheriff I have put up a map of Essex 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.

So far, I have clocked up 44 events, visited 10 charities, made 7 speeches had 2 online meetings and 1 interview.

Good news! From what I have seen and heard so far, there are some fantastic things going on in Essex. Marvellous people, both employed and voluntary, keeping us safe and cared for.

An example is my visit to the Whittingham Avenue Food Bank and The Experience where they are doing a great deal to help support and protect their community.

After my first month I can report that I am very proud of Essex.