Visited High Down Prison today and was well briefed by the Governor, Louise Spencer. She is responsible for some 400 staff and 1,200 male prisoners in this category B prison. Louise is a natural for this tough job being very experienced and forward looking. It was a privilege to be shown around the prison by Louise.
This last of the “season” Service was today in Winchester Cathedral in all its glory. The High Sheriff of Hampshire, Mary Montagu-Scott , filled the Cathedral with Civic leaders, a large array of Judiciary and amazingly 10 current High Sheriffs from Bristol to Surrey (as captured in the photograph). We all processed into the Cathedral for the Service the centre point of which for me was the sermon preached by the retired Bishop of Liverpool James Jones with a most articulate message of humility for the judiciary and for High Sheriffs. I congratulate Mary on organising this very special and memorable occasion.
Being the start of the Judicial year this weekend is rather rich in High Sheriff Judicial Services.We proceeded in some haste from Guildford to Parham House for the Service for Her Majesty’s Judges in Sussex hosted by the High Sheriff of West Sussex at St Peter’s Church at Parham House , where Lady Emma Barnard (the HS) is chatelain. The Church, close to the House, is rural (pews faced each other in boxes and there is a fire place lit on Christmas Day!) in a stunning location under the South Downs. The Service was very special in such an intimate location, but there was room for lots of judges and a Bishop along with other clergy. We were then entertained to a delicious
tea in the Great Hall. Congratulations to the HS of West Sussex for a very memorable afternoon.
This morning was the Service for the Judiciary of Surrey held in Holy Trinity Church in Guildford. We processed from the Guildhall to the Church for the Service and back again down the High Street with a Civic Procession led by the Mayor of Guildford and the High Sheriff’s Procession led by the Chief Constable as in the pictures, with my chaplain and the judges. The Service included the invitation from the Chief Constable to me as High Sheriff to reaffirm the promise I made at my Installation including the challenging words: “I will well and truly behave myself in my Office”. Also a powerful Declaration of Commitment to Public Service read by Cate Newness-Smith, the Chief Executive of Surrey Youth Focus. The Mayor of Guildford kindly hosted a reception in the Guildhall afterwards. Thank you to everybody involved in making this a very special day, in particular the Revd Cannon Robert Cotton of Holy Trinity, the Surrey Youth Choir and the amazing trumpeters who rather stole the show!
Today affixed to the road side of our garden wall this life size Silent Soldier reminding us to remember the fallen of the First World War. The Exhortation reads: “1914-1918 Lest We Forget”. The Royal British Legion of Surrey initiated and supplies this memorial and I encourage you all to consider supporting them by installing your own Silent Soldier.
Participated in the ceremony today hosted by the Chief Constable celebrating the promotion of 40 probation PCs to Independent Patrol Status. A wonderful group of well turned out young men and women who marched to the band of the Royal Logistic Corps. I greatly enjoyed talking to some of the PCs whilst inspecting their ranks. A perfect English afternoon tea in the Loseley Barn preceded the formal presentation of certificates. A special delight of the occasion was the presence of many family members so obviously rightfully proud of their sons and daughters.
Witnessed the Lord Lieutenant at Loseley presenting a CBE to June Spencer, or better known to us all as Peggy Archer. She is amazing! Aged 98 and you would never know it.Look at the photograph I took today. She is still working, regularly recording for the Archers in the Birmingham studio (she lives in Surrey) and is the oldest working actor in the country. What a lady. What a delight to meet her.
Hosted today at County Hall a citizenship ceremony whereby 27 individuals (including a number of families) made declarations of loyalty and were formally granted citizenship of the United Kingdom. A very dignified and memorable occasion with lots of photographs taken, I fear I will appear on many Surrey mantelpieces. It was a real privilege to meet the new citizens and play a part in the ceremony including a brief speech explaining the role of the High Sheriff and revealing my ten favourite places
in Surrey.
The inestimable Mayor of Runnymede, Iftikhar Chaudhri, and his charming wife Aleema invited us to his Civic Interfaith Service at the Royal Holloway Chapel. It was a very special ocassion with the active participation of five faiths: Hindu, Sikh, Jewish, Christian and Muslim including readings from the Qu’ran, the Psalms and the New Testament, and a sensational University choir. All followed by a delicious tea. A memorable: event, well done Iftikhar!
With the gracious and friendly participation of the Countess of Wessex, attended a service of Thanksgiving for the work of Headley Court followed by a full military march along the (closed to traffic) High Street of Dorking in front of huge and cheering crowds. I was asked to inspect the ranks of the Headley Court civilian workers and met some very committed nurses and other staff. Very inspiring. A great day for saying farewell to Headley Court and saying a thank you to all who have worked there in tending to our wounded service men and women
.