May News

My second month in office as High Sheriff of Hertfordshire has been even more busy than my first! Read all about it here.

Week Five

• The Herts Chamber of Commerce Women in Leadership afternoon tea gave me the opportunity to meet 100 inspiring women and to learn the life story of construction boss Carol Massay.

• The High Sheriff class of 2022 met at the Old Bailey to exchange stories, listen to the Sheriffs of the City of London and sit in the dock in Court One.

• A meeting to plan my Justice Service on 20th November in St Albans had an unexpected bonus as the new Dean, Jo Kelly-Moore, is keen to explore my focus on addiction to drugs and alcohol.

• The University of Hertfordshire’s Law Faculty has set up numerous projects for the law students to help the community. Working with the Dean, Penny Carey, to link the students with addiction charities in the coming year.

Week Six

• What a privilege to join a discussion amongst the Lieutenancy, Herts County Council, Herts Chamber of Commerce and miliary representatives on the strategic evolution of the UK miliary.

• Also learned about the Armed Forces Covenant, a promise by the nation to treat fairly those who serve or have served our country. True heroes.

Week Seven

This was my mega police week!

• On Monday, a visit to the Herts Police HQ involved a presentation on their drug and alcohol addiction work, watching the calls being handled in the 999 control centre, experiencing the incredible sight of the police dogs and handlers in action and an inspection of the firearms equipment.

• The National Police Air Service were training at HQ that day and I joined them in their helicopter on a sortie to track a suspect from the air.

• Tuesday saw a busy morning at the Stevenage Police Station, with Team and County briefings, updates on tackling drugs in the town and meeting some of the Safer Neighbourhood Team, in photo with CI Graeme Walsingham.

• I was a bit overdressed for the Hertford and Ware Police Cadets weekly training session in Hertford, but it was great to see them in training. One of my High Sheriff Police cadets stepped in for my swordbearer!

• Hatfield Police Station is on the former de Havilland Aviation site and the original bunker is being restored to receive visitors. Working upstairs are Teams including Tactical Resources, Case Investigation and Intelligence, as well as the Offender Management Team.

• Attended my first Mayor-making Ceremony and how fitting for it to be in the County Town of Hertford!

• With only four days left in office, Stevenage Mayor Sandra Barr took me on a special tour, including an introduction to the No More Team. Stories from those whose lives have been turned around after drunk, drugs, abuse and prison endorse their valuable role.

• On to Haven First in Stevenage who give a home, help and hope to recovering addicts and the vulnerable, who move on to better lives with tools to cope in place.

• The Living Room supports families and carers as well as guiding recovering addicts to rebuild their lives. Extraordinary and honest tales were shared by the current group, all agreeing that they couldn’t have done it without this wonderful charity.

Week Eight

• The sun shone for the new Hertford Mayor’s Civic Service at All Saint’s Church. Mayor Sue Barber is planning to work with young people at her chosen charity Future Hope in Hertford.

• A Service of Thanksgiving in St Albans Cathedral celebrated the Platinum Jubilee, delighted to join the Lord-Lieutenant in a procession with Cathedral clergy and cadets of the uniform youth organisations of Hertfordshire.

• During my brief from Alex Woodman, Chief Fire Officer at Herts Fire and Rescue, I discovered that there are 29 fire stations in the county. I might struggle to visit them all!

• Even a day at the Chelsea Flower Show brought the delight of seeing The Blue Tangerine Federation’s Discovery exhibit and meeting the team, who then moved everything overnight to the Herts County Show.

• A meeting with ACC Matt Nicholls and Jim McManus, Director of Public Health, at police HQ gave me an insight into their work leading the County Strategic Drugs and Alcohol Board, which includes looking at the cost of addictions to the police, NHS, councils and charities.

We now head towards Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee weekend festivities, so loads more to report next month!