Diary of the High Sheriff of the Isle of Wight

Diary

March

5 March: I was very pleased to be invited to the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce's Centenary Lunch at the Consort Restaurant at Albert Cottage Hotel. David had his own invitation as a long-standing member, in fact he got a certificate for having been a member for 35 years. There were also certificates for those who were founder members. It was very interesting to know who had been in at the very beginning. The Lord Lieutenant was given one for being a founder member, though of course in those days it would have been the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire. Martin was not actually there himself, but John Owen, who is the Chair of the Chamber, is also a Deputy Lieutenant so he received the certificate. We were generously sent home with a box of chocolates and a very nice glass paperweight locally made. David and I left mine because we felt that it was greedy to have one each.

Home quickly to change into the Suit and get down to Quay Arts to be ready for a 5.00 pm start to the Youth Inclusion Forum's High Sheriff's Award ceremony. This was the first of these awards and I felt very proud to have been the first HS to be involved. We had the actual ceremony of handing out the certificates to the ten young people chosen to receive them in the theatre. I read out the citations and they came up to have the inevitable photographs taken. At the end of that part of the event we all went down to the café where there were refreshments. Simon Dear had arranged it all extremely well including asking Mick from Quay Arts to play jazz on the piano, which was perfect. People seemed to be delighted at the way the evening went and very pleased that it is intended to make it an annual event. Plenty of the important people we had invited came as well as the nominators and families of those young people chosen to attend.

4 March: Rodney Hearth runs television along the south coast and hopes to do the same on the Island. He is to televise the musical fund raising event in the Minster on 19th March and asked if I would go to his house to record an interview with him before that. Apparently you get to see what his company puts out by way of a box giving you access for £9.99 a month and Rodney told me that the quality is exceptionally good. We sat in his sitting room being filmed by two small cameras and talking about me and High Sheriffs. I wonder how many people will ever see it and might have been a tad nervous if I had thought that it would be widely viewed. I suspect that one of us Island High Sheriffs on television is enough!

3 March: Nicola Price, who has been on the Parkhurst Independent Monitoring Board, is now on the amalgamated IMB for the whole Isle of Wight Prison. She kindly escorted me to the Albany site Prison Council where we were kindly greeted, but not expected. These prison councils have both staff and prisoners on them and are a fairly new and very good idea. This one was chaired by an officer, but I rather think they will rethink that and get a prisoner to chair the council there. It was an interesting meeting and demonstrated how valuable these councils are.

2 March: I went over to the Guildhall in Southampton with Pat Goodhead, head teacher of Christ the King College, to see their entry in the Global Rock Challenge competition. Theirs was the only Island school that night, others will come later and some will go to Portsmouth instead. I was very impressed by all the schools' performances we saw and delighted by Christ the King's piece. They were given third place out of six, though I was surprised they didn't come second. Anyway it was a brilliant evening and I was so pleased to have been there.

1 March: Christ the King College had their Eisteddfod today and I was invited to join Father Mike Exell to judge the cake making competition to start with. I had never done this before but Mike is an old hand and knew the ropes. We started by picking out the best-looking cakes, i.e. the most attractive from a purely visual point of view and which looked the yummiest. We then cut into each of these and made the final judgement on which actually tasted best. We probably didn't eat as much as a whole slice in total because Mike cut very small tasting portions like the pro he is. There were some seriously good-looking cakes and some very tasty ones. We then joined David Lisseter to judge the singing, dancing and music making parts of the day. Unfortunately there were some technical problems and this part of the day had to cut short to be finished later.

February

28 February: David came with me to St Andrew's church in Chale, not least because his cousins the Dabells had had strong connections with the church. It is a small building but has obviously been cherished because there were mostly stained glass windows and plenty of lovely decoration and embellishments. We had expected a fairly small congregation, but not a jolly decent sized choir. I had previously met Dru Dennis, the assistant priest who was taking the service, at the Hospice service in November when she was officiating and it was good to see her again. I rather enjoyed the fact that she preached from the pulpit, though she explained that she had to take care going up the stairs and even more coming down again. It was a lovely service with lots of good music and an anthem to boot. I was told that it was in my honour and I couldn't have been more delighted as it was one of my favourites, and fortunately the anthem of the day. We were able to have a word with almost everyone there.

27 February: The second Equals Forum was held at Ryde High School this afternoon. Having come across the organisation in the summer, I had only so far met anyone at a meeting of the Cowes Friendship Group so I was very interested to see who else was involved. The event was chaired by Shahzad Khan who is the Chair of Equals. We heard about the wish list compiled at last year's Forum, some of which had been achieved and some of which was much more difficult and/or expensive. These things take time. We had two brain-storming sessions at our individual tables and the thoughts were shared with the rest later. I took the opportunity while there was a break for fairly substantial refreshments and others were tucking in, to go round to hear what people's experiences had been. They were mixed of course, but the thread running through those who were making progress was their increasingly good use of English and their determination to join in one way or another. There were also a few horror stories of poor practice and nasty racist behaviour. Despite this being a diversity organisation, we spent almost the entire time talking about race issues. I hope the other minorities get a look in next year.

26 February: Barbara Arthure kindly took me round the Camp Hill site of H.M. Prison Isle of Wight in her capacity as a member of the Independent Monitoring Board. I had visited on a few occasions recently, but this was the first time I had gone round for nearly thirty years and things had changed. We started at the Resettlement Unit where they have had the bright idea to use prisoners to help inform the new intake. The Peer Support team, as they are known, tell the newly arrived prisoners what goes on at Camp Hill, how to find out what to do, who to ask for various pieces of information and the general low down on how the prison works. They log the obvious needs of the newly arrived prisoner so that this information can feed into the Sentence Plan. They also deliver On the Ball, a prisoner-designed strategy for a satisfactory departure from the prison on eventual release. This will include insurance and financial matters, housing, employment and so forth. Apparently this scheme has been going successfully for over two and a half years and it is to be hoped that the use of it will spread. We then went to the Library, a well-used and agreeable space, before looking at the newer buildings towards the top of the site, including a very well planned and planted garden and one of the workshops. We ended our visit in the administration block talking to a few people before I left the prison pleased with what I had seen.

The Army Benevolent Fund has a new strapline, The Soldier's Charity. The snow had caused this evening's event to be postponed from 8th January. This was good for me as I was now able to go with David. After a drink and a mingle, David and I sat at the front for the lecture. This was very kind of Guy Acland as I had not been invited as High Sheriff and was not wearing the badge. However, it is definitely easier to see from the front row, particularly if one is not unnecessarily tall! General Sir Timothy Granville-Chapman, GBE, KCB, the Master Gunner St James's Park and until May 2009, Vice Chief of the Defence Staff was our speaker. The title of his talk was 'What price defence and security?' and with his experience we were treated to the inside track of a very intelligent man's view of the situation we have in the country. He was clear, incisive and funny and although it was quite a dense talk, it was also not hard to take in what he said. After some good questions we all left the Pavilion and went into the Royal Yacht Squadron to have dinner, a particularly delicious fish pie and some seriously toothsome puddings. That didn't help at all.

25 February: The Young Chamber held its Annual Conference at the Yacht Haven in Cowes and I joined them in the morning. Something of a walk-on gig as I didn't have to do anything. The hall was set up with lots of tables full of school and college students and at most tables a teacher or similar. The idea was then for people from industry, commerce and other work activity to go round from table to table spending five minutes answering questions from the youngsters about the job they do. I moved round slightly faster than the Speed Networkers, as the visiting workers were called, so that I had visited almost all the tables and heard most of the people in employment by the end of the morning. It seemed to be a very good idea and it was good to hear what the students wanted to know. It was also interesting to hear the enthusiasm of the Networkers about their work.

The High Sheriffs' Trust had decided to make a grant of £500 to Challenge and Adventure so I got a big presentation cheque and met Phil Wells who runs the organisation at the County Press to have the cheque presentation photographed.

24 February: Three of us got in a huddle with a large number of nomination forms submitted to the Youth Inclusion Forum High Sheriff's Award. We were already familiar with the nomination forms and the stories told in them and it did not take us too long to agree on ten of them who would be presented with a framed certificate by me at a public event on 5th March. It is not a competition, but some of the young people nominated for this award had not only struggled and overcome great difficulty, but had looked outside themselves to make a difference to others as well. All very inspiring.

23 February: Dawn Taylor, one of the young women who look after the residents of a hostel for young people in Ryde, had invited me to visit 54 St Johns Road. This I did and had a good hour hearing about the kind of reasons for the young people to live there and what they got from it. The Support Worker in charge, Marie, and Dawn told me how fearful they are about the effect of the inevitable cuts in public spending on the vulnerable people they seek to help. I hope they are wrong but fear they are right.

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I then went off to the Fire Station in Ryde where there was a meeting for some of us to meet the Improvement and Development Agency who help with peer assessment. Two senior firemen, one from Wiltshire and one from Leicestershire, had come down and were gathering evidence of the performance of the local service. The forum I had been invited to with some of their partners was the one concerning Youth Engagement and obviously dealt with, among other pieces of work, the LIFE course. I gathered later that Paul Street, the Chief on the Island, was very pleased with what he heard from the visitors who had clearly been impressed by what they heard. I had hardly started!

In the evening I went to the Scout Hut in Binstead to present the cheque for £200 that the High Sheriffs' Trust had awarded to help with the necessary refurbishments. We had specifically asked if the money could be put towards a new range cooker costing about £700 and I could see how much this would be needed. It is a waste of time getting domestic cookers for situations like this. Malcolm McCree is the Beavers Leader there and he and I watched for a while as the little boys played their games before I handed them a big presentation cheque for them to put on the wall.

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22 February: Alan Wainwright, a member of the Independent Monitoring Board at the prison, had kindly agreed to take me round Parkhurst this morning. There were the inevitable changes to note since my last visit some decades ago, the most obvious to me being the Special Security Block which used to contain a few of the most dangerous men in the prison system. It is now a different kind of segregation unit and had been thoroughly modified. As we arrived, lunch was just being delivered. The man pushing the trolley scoffed a bit when I said "Ah, nourishment." Once we got inside, I was asked if I would like to taste some of the food, which I happily did. I suggested to the man whose reaction seemed to doubt the nourishment of the food to choose what I should sample. He gave me some chicken salad, and I thought it tasted good and was full of vegetables as well as chicken. I would not have minded eating that at any time. He did admit that he had been joking and that generally the food was good. Alan and I covered a fair bit of ground and it was an interesting visit, enabling me to meet and speak to quite a lot of prison staff as well as some prisoners.

Home to change before going back to the prison, this time to the Licensing of the new Chaplain at Albany, the Reverend Rosie Deedes. The Suffragan Bishop of Dorking, the Right Revered Ian Brackley, did the honours and we had lots of hearty singing with the aid of the choir and musicians. It was a charming and I thought moving service. I bumped into one of the men who had been at the Society of Friends' meeting yesterday.

21 February: David joined me to go to Quay Arts in the Rope Walk in that wonderfully shaped part of the old building. This is where the Society of Friends, or the Quakers as we probably better know them, have their meetings. I had been to a Friends' meeting as a child so knew that there would be no singing and possibly no talking either once the meeting had begun. Before it did I waited outside to meet people as they arrived. Inevitably I met some people I had met before elsewhere which is always nice and interesting too. During the meeting itself, there was a long period of quiet in the room, albeit punctuated by noises outside the building, and then one of the women stood and shared something with us. About ten minutes later another woman responded. What they both had to say was both well expressed and helpful. At the end of the hour, there was more general conversation in the room, and I thanked them all for having us with them. I am so glad we went, and David was too.

After lunch with my daughter and her family I went, in something of a hurry, back into Newport to the Guides' Centenary Thinking Day Celebration in the Minster. Unfortunately I had been told that it was not a uniform do, and was rather sorry to find the Lord Lieutenant in his uniform, which was a shame as I like to follow suit. The service was full of activity and congregation participation. At one point both the LL and the High Sheriff were jumping round on the spot pretending to be kangaroos! I may say that my uniform hat would definitely have been in the way. It was such fun and, as so often, heartening to see and hear the enthusiasm of those splendid women who give so much of their time and energy to be Leaders. I shall never forget how thrilled I was when I walked into the Minster at my Declaration back in April last year, to be greeted by a guard of honour of Rainbows. What a treat!

20 February: The Partners Against Crime event began in the morning at Medina Leisure Centre and went on until 3.30 pm so that people could come and go without necessarily missing anything. I wanted to get to the afternoon session of questions to the panel, who included Ian Langley, Head of Wessex YOT; Nikki Shave from Probation; Superintendent Norman Mellors and Steve Beynon who made a presentation to get the session under way. There were a few more members of the public in apparently than had been in for the morning, but it was still largely interested professionals. After that I joined those watching displays by the Red Tie Theatre about anti-bullying strategies, prison dogs looking for drugs, the police doing their very good FAKE presentation about the dangers of firearms and knives and the Fire and Rescue boys about what they get up to, especially the LIFE course. All of it was interesting and seemed to go down well with the punters. Trading Standards had a stand there and I later heard how busy they had been. I don't think people realise how broad a remit they have. They do an excellent job too.

19 February: Having had to cancel the visit to St Mary's Hospital on Christmas Eve because I had a cough and the Hospital thought it best if I did not go that day, I was very glad to be up and running for today's visit. Danny Fisher, who chairs the PCT on the Island, met me, and Sheila Paul and Karen Baker, who will take over from Sheila as Chief Nursing Officer, went round seeing a variety of the departments. Andy Hollebon the PR manager was taking pictures of us from time to time. I was enormously impressed by the standard and quality of the new units we saw, including the Chemotherapy Unit, Neonatal Unit, Fracture Clinic, Cardio Unit, Pharmacy and the new area where people can go out of their GP's hours or if they do not have a GP. This area is next to A and E so people who present with a problem can be quickly directed to the best part of the hospital to deal with their difficulty. What impressed me particularly was the way the decor had been chosen to make everything as attractive as possible and as nice to be in for the patients as it could be. The colours were extremely pretty and a pleasure to be in. As for the staff, it was clear that their whole intent was to make the patient as comfortable as possible. I think the new units are a triumph and it was enormously encouraging to meet so many dedicated and kindly staff. How very different from the days when the staff were, at best, like the most severe nannies, not at all friendly and often, frankly, unhelpful. Well done St Mary's!

17 February: Another Citizenship Ceremony today. I joined David Randall, the Registrar, early to discuss the problem we had felt we had with the playing of the National Anthem at the end of the ceremony. It had always been a trifle difficult for the usually only five of us singing it with the CD playing and it had been suggested that David and I should discuss the matter. I suggested that, instead of the struggle to sing nicely, we should simply stand to attention in a dignified manner and let the CD do the work. This we did, and we all agreed that it solved the problem and made the conclusion to the ceremony and better one. I wish my particular part in the ceremony had been better on this occasion. I usually manage to say what I want to say without hesitating, but this was not a good day. For some reason the three very small children who were constantly running round the room without let or hindrance fractured my concentration and there was a point when I wondered what the heck I was going to say next! Awful, but I hope I was the only one who minded. I certainly wasn't the only one who noticed.

15 February: Nigel Hawley, who chairs the newly amalgamated Independent Monitoring Board for the newly-formed HMP Isle of Wight, kindly arranged to take me round Albany this morning. I don't think I had been round this site for thirty years when I had been visiting it as a member of the Parole Board when it came down to visit the then three Island prisons. Of course some things had changed and there were some new buildings including one for those prisoners likely to be moving to another prison in preparation for their eventual release. This wing is better appointed than the rest and the atmosphere was noticeably more relaxed. However, as I had noticed during my previous visit, Albany is not a particularly tense place. Of course it will have its ups and downs but generally it seems to be on an even keel relative to some other prisons I have visited over the years. It was good to meet lots of staff and some prisoners and I thought Nigel and I had a worthwhile time.

J.J.K., as the late John Kingswell was often known, died rather suddenly and his funeral was held in the Minster. His family had wisely realised that the Minster would be needed to accommodate the large number of people who wanted to pay their respects to him. The church was indeed full and it was obvious from the tributes how much he had been loved and respected. Mary Chapman, his partner of many years, had asked me to come as Sheriff so I wore the badge to show the respect of the Shrievalty as well as my own. He will indeed be much missed and sadly lamented.

14 February: Leaving my daughter to help David clear up some of last night's dinner party I went off to join the Baptists at worship in George Street Ryde. They had a fire some while ago and decided to turn the old church into a much more flexible edifice. As a result they have a community centre with all sorts of rooms including a café, showers and a laundry. This must make it a wonderful place for the homeless to visit. I met the new minister, Howard, who had been a probation officer in several different counties before coming very recently to the Island. They had decided to turn my visit into more of a civic occasion and had invited Arthur and Doreen Taylor, David Woodward the Ryde Mayor and one or two councillors. Ian Pratt, who had invited me, interviewed me during the service by way of telling the congregation what High Sheriffs are all about. As it happens I had stupidly left my spectacles at home so was relieved to find that all the words of the songs and hymns were on a screen. The music was played by a talented musician using a wonderful Yamaha instrument, the proper name of which I am afraid I have forgotten, but which made some lovely noises with orchestral backing. Afterwards we had the usual refreshments in the café so I had a lovely time meeting lots of people including some who took my card and will contact me later. I shall be going back to see Howard again and visit Sure Start which has some of the space in the building.

12 February: When I had been told about Council Chairman Arthur Taylor's Charity Ball I thought I should take two tables, so twenty of us duly turned up on a very cold night to the Yacht Haven in Cowes for this fundraising event. When I arrived I found a queue to leave our coats, which meant waiting outside in the freezing wind. I decided I was not prepared to wait in those conditions so bypassed the cloakroom and kept my coat on until greeting the dear Taylors in the reception line and finding our two tables. I had also decided not to queue for the complimentary drink as I wanted to make sure our guests names were put around the two tables where they were to sit. I think they will have made a reasonable amount of money, but will look forward to hearing how much in due course. We on our tables had a jolly time and I was grateful for the enthusiasm of those who kindly came with us.

11 February: Having been on the adjudication panel for the Annual Awards of the Sports and Recreation Council, I was happy to be one of those invited to present the certificates at the Riverside Centre in the evening. We, the panel, were all pleased to see those whose details we had pored over so carefully to decide who should win each section. They had all done very well indeed and choosing one of another was no easy matter. Not having had time to eat before I went, I was jolly peckish by the time I got home after 10.00 pm.

10 February: I had to nip about today, between a couple of meetings, because we were giving a dinner party for Judge Peter Henry and food had to be bought and prepared, as well as the flowers and table got ready. His fellow guests all thought he was a most agreeable man and I hope David and I will see him informally after I have finished my year.

9 February: CPRE had their Lunch at the College Restaurant and asked me to be their guest and speak to them afterwards, which I was happy to do. I sat between Paul Hooper, the President and old friend, and the Chairman John Langley. Speaking from a position where I could see, and I assumed be seen, was a bit tricky as I had to turn the pages while hanging onto the microphone. They generously sent me off with a lovely bunch of flowers.

I dashed from the College to the Minster where the new Bishop, Christopher Foster came over to meet us as soon as his appointment had been made public. The Lord Lieutenant expressed our pleasure in the fact that he had come to meet us on the Island so soon. There was a question and answer session and then we had time to ask more informal questions with cups of tea in our hands. Sally, Christopher's wife, was there too. She is also a priest but will not be licensed to him I gathered. They were such a warm and friendly couple we all left the Minster with a warm feeling and look forward to working with our new Bishop.

8 February: Christ the King College invited me to join them at one of their worship occasions when awards were handed out. On this occasion the College itself was getting some including Investors in People and an International Schools award. They are really doing well.

7 February: I went to join the Lake Methodists and had another very happy church experience. The minister, Frances Watson, and her congregation gave me a wonderfully kind welcome and Frances asked if I would like to tell them all a bit about High Sheriffs. As usual there was tea and coffee after the service and I enjoyed spending some time with lots of those who were there. I was shown the building and told about the plans to build a replacement hall which will be as much for the community of Lake as for the church. One of the ladies asked me if I would speak to her group later this year. I explained that I would have to check with my successor that it would be all right. We usually do not tread on each other's ground.

5 February: Jim Isles and I had agreed to postpone my visit to Inver House in Bembridge when the snow lay thick but not at all even last month. He and Jo, the manager, took me round this very well appointed and recently relaunched retirement home which has as annexes a Dementia Wing and a block of apartments where people can look after themselves. I know it was all spanking new, but it had obviously been given lots of careful thought.

In the evening David and I went to the Lakeside Inn for the Magistrates' dinner which we enjoyed. We were sitting with good friends and saw lots of other people we knew so it was good fun.

4 February: I was originally going to be sitting with Judge Peter Henry yesterday, but Christopher Saunders rang me a bit late in the day to ask if I would help them out at the Smart Training Awards I was happy to try to rearrange my diary. Peter Henry was kind enough not to mind the change either. He was also very obliging when Jason from the Gazette wanted to take some photographs of him and me in court, accompanied by a short article which I later found I was writing myself. Press business finished, we then went into court in earnest and I listened with considerable interest to Peter summing up for the jury who were to make up their minds on a sexual assault case. In the end they couldn't make up their minds that day and had to come back the next day with a majority decision of guilty.

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3 February: The Smart Training Awards were held at Quay Arts and the event included a buffet lunch. It was stimulating listening to the stories of both employers and young employees who had been put together by this organisation and had prospered. During the awards ceremony in the theatre when I was giving out the certificates, we heard of young people who had worked very hard from an often unpromising start and had done really well. They sent me home with some very pretty flowers and a warm feeling. The Managing Director, Jan Hopkinson, obviously gives her all to this organisation and I was not surprised to learn that they have expanded to have six sites on the mainland as well.

I was back at Quay Arts in the evening for the Youth Speaks event hosted by Shanklin Rotary. Michael O'Malley, an acquaintance from way back, had invited me to join the judges and it was great fun to do so. Jolly challenging work as well, though probably less demanding than the young speakers' efforts. It was fascinating seeing their very different styles and impressive to see how very poised many of them were. I had a really good evening.

2 February: The Calbourne Tuesday Group grew out of what had been the W.I. and now has men too. I had been invited to speak to them this afternoon and told them about sheriffing from my point of view. They were a very enthusiastic bunch who were kind enough to ask quite a few questions when I had finished. Very gratifying.

1 February: I went to visit Emily Rose, who now manages Victim and Witness Support on the Island, to hear how she is getting on with recruiting for the Victim Support work. Witness Support is already working well, but Victim Support had been a bit neglected before Emily's arrival. It sounds as though she has things under control now.

Nicky Short had asked if I would like to know about Learning Zone, the organisation which supports those whose children have their schooling at home. She and a friend, whose name I realised I did not get, came round to tell me all about it. It obviously takes commitment to make sure your children have all they need to make this a valuable and educationally successful enterprise. I was most impressed by what they told me. We shall be meeting again later.

January

31 January: At All Saints in Freshwater, they postpone their Christingle Service to the service nearest to Candlemass on 2nd February. I thought this was a very good idea as Christmas get so very busy. It was a lovely service and the family was given a front pew so we had a brilliant view of how to make a Christingle orange. Grenda Hurt officiated and we all thoroughly enjoyed it.

30 January: The RNLI nationally was having a fund raising bee called SOS and the Cowes RNLI asked me to join them in their effort at Gurnard Pines. As my son was down with his family he and the two little boys came with me to see what was going on at Gurnard Pines. People were swimming many lengths, riding many miles on the cycling machines in the gym and rowing many miles on the rowing machines. It was all a jolly good effort and I think they did well, though obviously nobody knew at the time how much had been raised. Stormy Sam was in attendance and we posed, together with grandsons Giles (6) and Caspar (4).

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28 January: I was supposed to have gone to Christ the King College to have a tour last Thursday, but then I had to go back to Southampton Saab to take my car to have what needed to be done to pass its MOT. Timing is crucial with these matters so Pat Goodhead kindly postponed my visit to the school until today. Pat, David Lissiter the chairman of the Governors and I first went round Lower College, the other side of the road. The two sites were built at about the same time, but have a very different feel about them as one was a primary school and much more open plan. The idea is that this site will be used for a primary school again and the current primary school site next to the Upper College site will move across the road. Let's hope they get the funding to do a good job. Each time I visit the College I leave impressed by the standards of excellence all seem to strive for.

I had invited all eight of the mayors on the Island to a drinks party at home this evening. One had a council meeting, one, who hadn't responded until prompted, said he had a prior engagement, one could not come because his wife had a cold and one said he would come and then didn't. And then there were four. Those who did come, with their other halves, were charming company as was the young woman who helped serve the food.

27 January: The Isle of Wight Economic Partnership, in partnership with the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation and a large handful of producers of food locally put on a breakfast. It took place at Dickie and Judi Griffin's farm Bluebells Café at Briddlesford Lodge Farm and was a big success. We were treated to a cooked breakfast, all locally produced obviously, and the opportunity for networking. The Lord Lieutenant was one of a few to speak and the room was full of serious buzz the rest of the time. After a lot of photographs, which should help promote the whole business of locally produced food, we gradually dispersed, but the happier for a very good occasion. I popped into the farm shop to buy some Isle of Wight soft cheese to take to friends this evening. I think it is probably addictive.

26 January: We do not have High Court judges sitting on the Island so I was invited to go to Winchester to sit with Mr Justice Nigel Teare. He is hearing a murder trial involving a group of four young men. I was given the parking space marked High Sheriff and met by Peggy Durrant whose official title is, I believe, the Judges Butler. Whatever she is officially there to do, she is kind enough to look after visiting High Sheriffs from other counties as well as those in Hampshire. They are very lucky to have her and she has been kind enough to be on the end of the telephone for the occasional piece of advice or information. The morning began in court with the barristers having a legal argument that the judge had to give a ruling on. That done, the jury came in and the trial continued. It was fascinating hearing the various witnesses give their evidence and to hear how this varied from witness to witness. Lunch was taken with other judges sitting on cases in the courts that day. As luck would have it I caught up with two old acquaintances, Andrew Barnett and Guy Boney who were in that day. It was lovely to see them both. Mr Justice Teare and I then went back into court until the afternoon stopped rather early because one of the witnesses had not turned up. It remains to be seen why this had happened, but I got the impression that it was felt he had just decided not to come. He will have to be summonsed now. Silly boy. Being taken through the details of the case and what was happening by Mr Justice Teare was definitely having the Rolls Royce treatment. I loved the day and found it very interesting and well worth the visit.

24 January: St George's church in Arreton is reputedly the coldest church on the Island, indeed our now retired bishop, Kenneth, used to say it was the coldest church in his diocese. Frankly I can now believe it, but the welcome was very warm and kind and we saw quite a few friends and acquaintances there too. They very kindly asked me to read one of the lessons. I always think this is a very inclusive invitation. Afterwards we were treated to sherry and so lots of the congregation stayed to chat. It was lovely, but cold.

23 January: Vectis Radio is an on line radio station and has its being in a small office in the Quay Arts Centre in Newport. Where else? I was invited to join them at 9.45 when Steve Ray said some well chosen words to announce it being on air and then DJ Ian Mac brought me in to have a chat. It was great fun and I would be happy to accept Ian's invitation to go back at some stage and be a guest. More power to their elbow because this is real community radio, serving the Island in whatever way the Island feels it needs this kind of help. Any of those hard-working voluntary groups will be able to get some air time to help them raise money and tell us all what they do. And of course there is music.

22 January: Tim Cole is the head of the Crown Prosecution Service in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and he kindly gave me some of his time to tell me about his work. Most of us know about the CPS but not what their difficulties are and why it is quite important that we do. It is too easy to complain when the newspapers report on a court case that has not gone ahead and we feel that as inevitably means justice is denied for the victims of the crime. Equally, as has happened recently, a case is brought which the public feels should not have been. What we should know is the difficulty of making some of these decisions and that they are usually, who can say always, the best outcomes for the public's benefit.

20 January: The Youth Inclusion Forum had to make some more grant giving decisions and learned that it might be given some more money too. There is some very good work being done and it is a relief to know that most of it can be funded to continue.

18 January: The Isle of Wight Sports and Recreation Council Award Adjudication meeting had had to be postponed because of the snow so we met at the Rural Community Council offices this morning to do the judging. It is so often helpful to hear what other people think when choosing between a number of potential winners. Mostly it was agreed fairly easily, but one or two we chewed through carefully before making up our minds.

17 January: This was the day for my postponed visit to St Saviour's Roman Catholic church in Totland. The church itself was built in the 1920s by the Ward family, better known for having built and lived in Northwood House in Cowes. Father Gerard met me outside and put me in the care of Bart, which was lovely. After the service I joined the congregation in the room next to the church where everyone gathered to have coffee. It was a very jolly group of people and nice to catch up with a few I had met elsewhere.

16 January: The day of the Gilten Market Dinner was still snowy, but not so as to threaten the journey. We saw most of the people we had met at the Gilten Market and some more we already knew from elsewhere. Dinner was hearty with very well flavoured beef. David then had spotted dick while I had one of the best fruit salads I have eaten in years. We then had the speeches, beginning with the President, John Kingswell and it was then for me to propose the toast to the Gilten Market. I was expected to say something, but was told not too much. Difficult that, but I wanted to mention how we are now taught to ask where our food comes from and it was wonderful to think that, on the Island, we often know the people who have grown or reared our food. This evening was no exception. Laurie Calloway followed me with a very funny speech and then it was time for the cups and awards. Very good to see how many young people were winning the cups and a lot were the girls. How things have changed. It was a lovely evening and I thoroughly enjoyed being there.

15 January: Haylands Community Primary School in Ryde has a great deal to be proud of. After the Head, Steph Hopper, had told me a little about the school we joined the little ones at their assembly. This is a very encouraging affair with certificates being handed out to a large number of the children to congratulate them on some kind of good work or behaviour or other. The staff clearly put a lot of emphasis on valuing success and apparently it works, especially with those children who might otherwise be less engaged. We then had a tour of the school, which has right next to it, well almost part of it, the pre school group. This works well as the jump from pre-school to school is hardly noticeable so far less stressful. Also on site is the Nurture Centre. This is something really special and is doing very well with the few children who have problems behaving appropriately and developing as they could. It is also a resource for challenged parents so that there is the possibility of the vicious circle being broken. It was very encouraging indeed to hear about this work and I think more should be told about it. Steph and I then went back to meet five youngsters from their year group Council. They were wonderfully poised and very happy to ask me some questions about being High Sheriff. All together I had a thoroughly enjoyable and inspiring morning.

Since the three prisons on the Island have become one, the Independent Monitoring Board has also had to pull itself into one body and I went to meet the man who now chairs this Board, Nigel Hawley. He explained the work that had been done to help with the amalgamation and brought me up to date with what is happening. We then went to visit the very new NHS run health unit on the Albany site. This replaces the old hospital wing at Parkhurst and will go a great deal further than that. There is space for families to be with the terminally ill as well as treating the usual range of illness requiring that level of medical care. It will save a great deal of time, and therefore money, in prison officers' hours escorting prisoners to and from St Mary's Hospital the other side of the road. They are some way towards creating a very pleasing new garden to one side of the new building.

14 January: The High Sheriffs' Trust meeting was as usual at the police station. We had a number of applications for grants, most of which we approved. We were then joined by the Nomination Panel to discuss future nominations for High Sheriff. Last year when it was my turn to decide who my nomination would be I asked my fellow trustees if we could have a larger Panel. We now have the Archdeacon, the Chairman of the Magistrates' Bench, the Chief Executive of the Chamber of Commerce and of course the Lord Lieutenant's representative, all ex officio.

12 January: FIZ, or the Family Information Zone, finds itself next to the Lord Louis Library and by the bus station and so is brilliantly placed for droppers in of all ages. Although it is actually part of the Social Services network, it seems to be independent and is probably all the more accessible for that. I had a very interesting hour with Anna Swan who explained how FIZ works, what it offers and how it fits into the general scheme of things. It is the kind of place where you can find out what you need to know about the problems of families, and if they cannot help you there, they know people who can. I had been wanting to visit them for some weeks but wish I had gone sooner as it was very heartening to find such an effective clearinghouse with the warmth and care of a drop-in centre. I was very impressed.

11 January: I was supposed to go to meet Jim Iles at Inver House in Bembridge to have a proper look round, but it had been agreed that the best course of action would be to make another date when we are more certain of the snow not making life difficult. Now that the main road to Yarmouth was clear David drove to friends, having left his car at the top of the hill in our road before the snow came, to do some beating for a shoot. He had been invited to take his gun, but he said he really isn't good enough these days. I don't mind staying at home, but it is such a disappointing waste of time when there is not all that much of my year left.

10 January: I had arranged to go to join the Roman Catholic congregation at Totland, but Father Gerard, who lives in Totland, said I really should not think of going until the roads are clearer and safer. I shall go as soon as possible. Instead David and I walked to St Mary's in Carisbrooke where Father Exell delivered a very interesting sermon about baptism and its beginnings in the Jewish faith. The choir there is very good indeed and, although not all of is members were there, the congregation only just outnumbered the choir. It was a real pleasure hearing them. Coffee afterwards, as always, gave us the chance to meet the other hardy types who had come out, almost all of them on foot. It was not the first time I had been in that ancient building, and this was not the time to go looking around it, but it reminded us to go back and have a proper look. Our way home was definitely the pretty route. We walked through the old part of Carisbrooke, over one of the fords (bridge for pedestrians), up to the Castle, footpath to the top of Mount Joy and down Nunnery Lane. That lane was still very icy and as there is quite a steep hill we were surprised to see a small van unsuccessfully trying to get up it. All he was managing to do was polishing the ice with his tyres. There was no was we could have pushed him up the hill so we don't know what he decided to do. He was following a 4x4 so perhaps he was given a tow.

8 January: Even though David and I have been walking into Newport, both my engagements today were postponed, both in Newport, because not enough other people could get there.

6 January: The snow has been coming down with intent since yesterday afternoon and the Citizenship Ceremony for today has been postponed. It was a wise decision as even the buses are not running.

3 January: I managed to get hold of Grenda Hurt in time to discover that she would be preaching at the Choral Eucharist service at St James' in Yarmouth at 9.45 am so off we went. They have prettily decorated poles at the end of some of the pews each carrying three candles. It must look delightful when they are all lit. Grenda preached an extremely interesting sermon and we all sang lustily. As always it was fun and interesting talking to lots of the congregation afterwards over coffee. We couldn't stay very long, not least because the Methodists were following us with a service of their own in the side chapel. They have some difficulty with their own premises and it was good to think that they were using this ancient building too.

2 January: After something of a break from shrieval activity over Christmas, though there was plenty of other fun to be had, I went to the Fairway Sports Complex in Sandown to be part of the presentation gang to honour two men who had spend five decades helping, coaching and encouraging your footballers on the Island to play. I know next to nothing about football, and manage to sleep night after night in this ignorance, but when Richard Priest asked me to be at the ceremony I was delighted. It is always inspiring and very heartening to hear about this kind of service to the community the two men in question, Paul Biddlecombe and Dougie Stephens, were very modest about their efforts. They were presented with silver salvers, a very pink top each and a cake between the two of them. Paul was bothered by the colour of the top. Admittedly it is very pink, but I had only recently heard something on the radio which indicated that pink has only relatively recently been seen as a girl's colour. For centuries it would not have been viewed in this way; ask members of the Leander Club, the prestigious rowing club in Henley-on-Thames.

December

24 December: This was to be the day for me to visit St Mary's Hospital with Danny Fisher who chairs its Board. As I had been coughing all night I thought I had better give them the option of not having me visit. I rang Danny, who said he would have to ask. He did and they said thanks, but no thanks. I was not surprised, but it was a shame. It would have been my last gig before breaking up for Christmas.

21 December: A very special man, Oliver Roome died recently and his family had a Thanksgiving Service for him in the church in Freshwater. The Lord Lieutenant and I had agreed that this was a uniform occasion as Oliver had been Vice Lord Lieutenant and a High Sheriff before that. As a result, they knew who I was when I turned up, not having met any of Oliver's delightful family before. It was the best kind of family service with several of them taking active parts in the proceedings. Oliver's brother John told us many happy and amusing stories about Oliver's activity and there was lots of laughter. It was a perfectly beastly day, but nothing dimmed the event itself. Most then went on to lunch at the Royal Solent Yacht Club, but David and I had to nip home so that I could change before we went off to the Carol Service at Parkhurst. This was a good do too. It was years since I had been into the chapel and it was looking good in its Christmas garb. Four of the prisoners sang on their own and we all sang lustily to the organ accompaniment before having mince pies and tea.

20 December: David and I went back to the Methodist Church in Quay Street in Newport, this time for the next church visit. Today they had their own Nativity Play with grown ups as actors. It was woven through the service and what done quite beautifully. We had a jolly good natter about it over coffee and lots of cakes afterwards. Philip Simpkins, their minister, is to leave them in the not too distant future and they were all saying how much they would miss him. Having just met him, I had no doubt that they would. What a lovely man and what a lively and committed congregation.

16 December: At the Isle of Wight Community Foundation reception at the Royal Yacht Squadron back in the autumn I had come across an organisation called Equals and asked if I might visit them. It was suggested that I go to one of the Friendship Groups in Cowes. A handful of Asian ladies and one of the Cowes women PCSOs meet once a week for companionship and mutual support. Sam, the organiser, has all sorts of activities for them and they bring cake and other delicious food to have. Women whose mother tongue is not English can have a very bleak and lonely time of it if they are part of a traditional family structure and do not go out of work. These meetings can help quite a lot. I was a bit sad to learn that one of the women, with only her face peeping out of the black that enveloped her, had been in the country for 20 years, but here English was still hesitant to say the least. They told me that they do not worship in the Mosque in Newport because there is not yet the necessary screen to separate the men's area from the women's. I suspect that this is a chicken and egg situation, but the women did not seem to mind. Some of them kindly said I might put this photograph in my diary.

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Yarmouth Primary School's Christmas play was the last one of the year for me. It was the longest of them all and another hugely enjoyable occasion. I was lucky enough to sit next to the Chairman of the Governors and Grenda Hurt whose grandson was taking part in the production. Beryl Miller, the head, and several of the teachers were being acted by some of the older children and this was fascinating. The children did not make too much of it and somehow managed to make it a charming tribute to the staff in question.

The only sad thing about the evening was that the later than expected finish of the play did not allow me to go, even creeping in late, to the Christ the King College Carol Service in St Mary's Carisbrooke. Thank goodness I had been able to explain the difficulty I had with the Head's PA Jane Anstey so at least I was only disappointed, not embarrassed too.

14 December: Fiona White is OC SSAFA organisation on the Island. St Vincent is a large Victorian stone building, built for a prosperous Island merchant, on the edge of Ryde and lots of retired service personnel now live there. In the grounds are a number of bungalows where married couples can live. In one of the smallest of these SSAFA has its office. I joined Fiona there for coffee and to hear more about how the organisation works on the Island, ably assisted by two of our mutual friends, and lots of other volunteers. We then went over to the party in the main house. The Christmas decorations were brilliant and there were plates groaning with mince pies and glasses of sherry for all. Actually not quite all; Fiona doesn't drink and I was driving so did not do the sherry. On my way round the room I heard lots of fascinating stories from those living there. It seems to be a very happy and well-run place.

In the afternoon I went to Northwood Primary School's Key Stage 1 Nativity play. I found myself sitting next to one of the grandmothers and we both hugely enjoyed watching the little things doing their stuff. All the plays I had seen were all so different and this was another delicious outing for me.

14 December: When Steve Howe, Chairman of the Magistrates' Bench, first asked me to go to the Magistrates' carol service in the Methodist church in Quay Street, Newport and to read a lesson he thought it would start at 6.00 pm. This would have given us plenty of time between the end of that one and the beginning of the next one. However, the way it turned out, it had to begin at 6.30 pm. I was reading the second lesson so there was not a rush for that, but David and I did have to watch our watches closely as the service went on and did have to leave before the end, though we did not miss much. Again, Steve knew we would have to slip out and miss the chat at the end, as did Grenda Hurt who was conducting the service.

We roared straight round to the Medina Theatre where we had been invited to the Women's Institute Choir Christmas concert. I had telephoned Anne Longford to explain the timing situation, so they were not troubled by our arrival close to the start. We were not late though. This was a charming concert with lots of different groups and individuals contributing to a thoroughly enjoyable evening's entertainment.

11 December: H.H. Judge Hetherington had been so impressed by the bravery of a young woman who had witnessed a nasty assault that he had ordered her to have an award. He also invited me to be present when this was given to the young woman. She did not want a lot of to do about it so we gathered in the judges' chambers and it was done quietly. Judge Hetherington congratulated the recipient of the awards quite beautifully and she looked pleased.

I nipped off to Bembridge Primary School where the head, Mrs Tina Baker, had generously suggested she take me round the school. It was generous because that afternoon was their Christmas play so there was plenty to do. I loved hearing her talk about the way the school is part of the village. Bembridge is one of the schools who will be growing to take in the pupils from the middle school. I had lunch with some dear friends in walking distance of the school and then went back to enjoy the play. It was a tour of many countries round the world showing how they celebrate Christmas. Those who performed the lead parts did extremely well and the supporting caste of thousands was brilliant. I just loved it. What a privilege it has been to be able to visit these schools at Christmas time.

That evening the Hospice had its annual carol service 'Lights of Love' in the Minster. I got home from having my hair done in Cowes only just in time to change and rush off to the Minster. Fortunately I had warned them that I would be cutting it fine and they seemed unphased by our arriving only just in time. It was a charming service and afterwards there were refreshments in the south aisle so we could meet lots of those at the service. Christmas seems very close now.

10 December: Atkinson House is a hostel for young people who have, for one reason and/or another, nowhere else to go. It is well appointed including with a garden. Apparently they had been growing some of their own vegetables, but someone unpleasant had burned down their shed so they had lost all their tools. Bit of a bummer. However they intend to put that behind them and start the vegetable growing again in the spring. I had been invited to declare the new IT room open which I was obviously very happy to do. It was good to hear from some of those living their what their hopes and fears were. Most of it sounded very positive. They very kindly sent me on my way with a lovely bunch of flowers. How kind people are.

My next stop was Brighstone to meet Malcolm Williams, the Rector. He had very kindly invited me to go round the Christmas Tree Exhibition. I am pretty keen on decorating Christmas trees so I had looked forward to this particular activity pretty keenly, obviously. I did not bother to count how many I saw because I just grinned all the way round enjoying the way people had let their talent and imagination run to delightful purpose. I had not realised that the vast majority were done by organisations so some of them had decorated their tree with their own particular logo or image, or in some cases, product. The church was full of trees, as was the village hall and the Methodist church, a new and attractive building, had trees in it too. Seeing the trees and in doing so walking round the village in Malcolm's company was a most enjoyable experience. He is a much liked village priest and we could hardly go five paces without being warmly accosted by people. He is very engaging company too.

Having been to sit in on HMP Isle of Wight's Council at the Parkhurst site, I was very pleased to accept an invitation to be at the counting of the votes at Camp Hill for their Council. David Pugh, leader of the Isle of Wight Council, was there too and he explained something of how councils work to the prisoners and staff in the chapel where the count was done. I said a few words of encouragement and hope to be invited to sit in on one of their council meetings in due course.

In the evening, David joined me at the YMCA party at Winchester House in Shanklin. We caught up with the lovely women I had met earlier in the year and talked to lots of their guests before leaving. What an extraordinary building Winchester House is.

9 December: I went to Nine Acres Primary School for their Nativity Play, the first of several. This was only the reception class and they were quite entrancing. Steve Bartlett, the Head, wisely got the waving from audience to stage and vice versa out of the way before the play started and also indicated that photographs were allowed so long as they were not put on the internet. After sitting with a silly look on my face for, I suppose three quarters of an hour of pure enjoyment of a very good performance, Steve took me round the school and explained his ambition to make it the best school in the world. This man is seriously impressive and it was stimulating to hear what he said about education and his school.

I was not free to stay at the Crimestoppers Domestic Abuse Conference at the Riverside Centre, but Peter Grimaldi asked me to go for lunch and as much of the rest as I had time for. It promised to be a very good event.

The reason I was not free was that I was off to hear the Rainbow Singers' Concert in All Saints' hall in Ryde. I was very pleased to be with them because I had had to cancel my visit to their summer concert because my grandchildren's visit was altered. This group is wonderfully led by Ada who conducts with gusto from the piano. I think she does this from the love of it and them because this is no longer a funded operation for people who have been unwell. It was a very jolly occasion that finished with tea, and quite a feast that was. They very generously sent me home with a present.

8 December: Fishbourne Sailability had very kindly invited us to be their guests at a very pleasing Christmas party. There was something delightfully old-fashioned about the evening, and all the better for it. Everyone seemed to have a smile. After dinner we played games including making up limericks with a choice of given first lines, one of which was "There was a young lady called Gay…" People are amazingly creative! It really was a lovely evening and we were tickled pink to be there.

7 December: For years I had been intrigued by the history of the Gilten Market when originally in the mid nineteenth century, the Mayor of Newport painted the winning fat stock beast's horns with gold paint. Now if that is now a bit pagan I don't know what is. Anyway these days it is done by the High Sheriff so David Biles, a previous High Sheriff and Eminence of the Gilten Market, invited me and David to attend. He took us round and explained what the judges would be looking for. The winner was a very fine beast and I took trouble to give him a jolly good dab of paint on the poll; no horns of course. I then had to do it again because the photographer's batteries went. It occurred to me that this whole event was a very different matter from the cattle markets I used to see as a child in the Market Square in Aylesbury. Then the men dealing with the cattle seemed to hit and prod the animals with gratuitous venom. Others have said the same so this is not just my sentimental hind-sight. David Biles then treated us to a seriously nourishing lunch with the highlight a piece of the most delicious filet steak either of us had eaten for some long time from Andy Gustar of Hamiltons. It was a happy day.

6 December: The next church to visit was Godshill. Surprisingly David and I had not ever visited it before. Surprising because it is one of the most visited churches in the country and certainly on the Island. It has a very old fresco of the Marian lily that had been covered up to prevent Cromwell's men destroying it and which had been rediscovered and uncovered for us to enjoy now. This is very high church so was a considerable change from the Baptists in Cowes last week. Father John Ryder has been there for quite a long time apparently so is well known to his congregation. They were kind enough to give us a celebratory glass of sherry in our honour. I don't think we drink enough sherry and it was a lovely thing to do. We very much enjoyed our visit to the church and must clearly come back next year to have a longer look at the church.

After lunching with friends we went to Downside Middle School for the Pan Carols. Tony Murphy was in charge. He does this so beautifully bringing people into the centre of the event. The carols were sung mostly by a variety of choirs, mostly children. It was delightful.

5 December: Now that Charles Mobbs is President of the Isle of Wight Red Cross I asked him if I might visit Red Cross House. He quickly invited me to the Volunteers Party and to give awards to some of the volunteers. I was first shown round the building and was quite impressed by the store containing huge quantity of various pieces of equipment that make life easier for people who have physical disabilities or who have just had an operation and need temporary adjustments to their domestic arrangements. We then joined the party where I saw a few people I know and was able to speak to most of the volunteers. What a splendid bunch they are, ready to put themselves at the disposal of those in need. It was a great pleasure to be able to hand out some awards.

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4 December: The Isle of Wight Youth Trust is to start a project to look after youngsters with drink and drug problems. This inevitably costs lost of money so the trustees had arranged a Gala Dinner at the Royal Hotel in Ventnor. The owner of the hotel, William Bailey, had made the whole thing add up by very generously providing the dinner. Well done William! We were asked to make a donation to the Trust rather than buy tickets for dinner so that Gift Aid could be applied to the money. It was an expensive evening, but despite that was, apparently oversubscribed. The whole evening was a huge success and very enjoyable too.

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3 December: Julie Woodhouse from Trading Standards had asked several of us to judge the posters from most of the high schools. The brief was to point out the dangers of drinking alcohol, particularly too much alcohol. It was a fascinating job which I enjoyed doing with my fellow judges. We discarded any posters that did not do the job of attracting attention in the first place. We then looked at the message being delivered, not always the right one. It was interesting to see how many of the students had taken note of the theatrical performances they had seen demonstrating the dangers of alcohol. I had seen one of these performances so recognised some of the facts put forward in the posters. There were some very good pieces of work submitted.

English Heritage invited about thirty guests to a very splendid evening at Osborne. We were allowed to park right in front of the house and went in through the Queen's door where we were welcomed by people taking our coats and giving us glasses of champagne. A very good start. The house had been decorated in the style of when Queen Victoria was living there and it looked absolutely enchanting. We went from room to room gasping in delight at what had so skilfully been done. We then had a delicious dinner in the room now used as the restaurant, but which had at once time been the chapel and other things as well. The whole evening was a huge treat and David and I were simply delighted to have been invited.

2 December: Having missed the last Citizenship Ceremony I was glad to be attending today's one. Jane Ball was the Deputy Lieutenant on duty and Arthur Taylor as usual. The group was both smaller than usual and those there more grown-up. They were an interesting and engaging bunch who will assuredly make a welcome contribution to the Island.

November

30 November: I had deliberately saved visiting Primary Schools until December so that I could see the odd nativity play. Today was not one of those occasions, but I was delighted by the new head of Brighstone Church of England Primary School, Amanda Johnstone, and by what she said about her job and the school. It is obvious that she is absolutely the right shaped peg in that particular hole. It seems that the village and the school work closely together.

My Christmas card, having been chosen from those entering the competition at Christ the King College and printed, I went to lunch with David Lessiter, Chairman of Governers, Pat Goodhead the Head and some of those students who had submitted their designs. It was lovely to be able to tell them face to face what lovely pieces of work I thought they had produced. I gave Olivia Price, the winner, a book about art that I hope she will enjoy. She was, I think, pleased with the finished article and seemed to be quite impressed to hear how many would be sent.

29 November: We awoke to another beastly day of wind and rain. I know parking around Victoria Road in Cowes is not easy so we decided to go using the Park and Ride. The bus stops just outside the Baptist Church that we were to visit so it seemed a good idea. Unfortunately we had not bargained for road works in the Park and Ride car park making it necessary to put a temporary bus stop on the road so that we could not wait in the car until the bus came. We waited significantly longer than the timetable had indicated and the bus came only after a particularly heavy downpour, driven by the vicious wind horizontally into our legs. My trousers were wet to the knee so, once we sat down in church, I was really rather cold. However the welcome was warm and the service interesting with lots of different people contributing to it. Afterwards we had coffee and time to chat with lots of the congregation. This is a very committed group of people who are closely bonded and who clearly take care of each other. They also took care of us and one of them kindly drove us back to the car.

There was the most beautiful Advent Carol service at St John's in Newport that evening. It started in candlelight, always a magical bit and we were sorry when the lights were turned on earlier than we had hoped. I wish we could have the candles for much longer. Health and Safety striking again? Advent hymns and carols have always seemed to me to be more contemplative than Christmas ones and often in a minor key. The choir, a mixture of Sts Thomas' and St John's, sang beautifully. We sat thinking how lucky we were to be listening to and sometimes joining in with this fine group of singers. It was a very, very special service.

28 November: M. and Co. had been working their socks off and the new store was looking great. I was greeted by the Ryde Town Cryer and then found the Mayor, but it took a while before anyone from the store could be found so that we could decide how to do the opening. Eventually, to a small but noticeable crowd the Town Cryer shouted the score and introduced me, I said a few words of congratulation and welcome, the Area Manager said her bit and I cut the ribbon with the Mayor, David Woodward in close attendance. After some photographs for the County Press, which the store girls seemed reluctant to be in, David and I drifted off. Let us hope that the business flourishes.

Carisbrooke Castle Museum had a reception in the evening in the Great Hall. The Lord Lieutenant, curator Dr Michael Bishop, Johanna Jones, me and Councillor John Hobart all spoke. Judi Griffin, chair of the Trustees of the Museum was afraid we should be listening for far too long so I made my few words as few as I politely could. At least I was able to tell them that David's grandfather had donated a collection of lace. We had a trip behind the scenes and it was both very agreeable and most interesting. Apparently this is the only Royal Museum within an English Heritage site. Of course lots of money is needed but when you consider how very important this place is as a place of interest for tourists to the Island we should put our shoulder to that particular wheel.

27 November: I hadn't been in the Courts for a while and today was for magistrates not judges. There were three new magistrates being sworn in and the Lord Lieutenant thought it would be a good idea for me to join him, HH Judge Hetherington and the Chairman of the Island Magistrates on the bench. Uniform job this one. In the end there were six of us on the bench, Jonathan Black, Area Clerk to the Justices in Hampshire and the Island and an old friend, the Recorder who was sitting that day anyway as well as the others. We waited upstairs in the Judges' chambers for quite a while then into court for the swearing in of Miss Samantha Greatrex, Ms Susan Tudor Smith and Mr Steven Williams and then short addresses by five of us. I was last and concentrated on the historic hand over from Sheriffs to Justices of the Peace. Apparently they have not had a High Sheriff involved in this ceremony before and I was very pleased to be there. It is right and proper to make a big deal out of these people who are to give so much of their time and energies in seeing justice is done locally. The Lord Lieutenant (pronounced Lootenant by a surprising number of people as though he were an American) then awarded Long Service Certificates to Mr Derek Cottell, Mrs Julie Matthews and our dear friend Mrs Sheila Low all of whom have served 20 years. After all this the new justices and those on the bench went back to the Judges' Chambers for photographs before joining the supporters and others for coffee and mince pies, my first this year.

That evening was the first of two days of the Isle of Wight Gift Fair at Bembridge Sailing Club. Last year they raised £13,000 for local charities and those this year to be supported were the Earl Mountbatten Hospice, Not Just Enterprises, Young Carers Project, Beaulieu House, Age Concern, St Catherine's School and the TS Royal George Sea Cadets. The only ones I have not yet visited are Not Just Enterprises. Must get in touch.

25 November: There have been more meetings than engagements these past few weeks. The one this morning was the Youth Inclusion Forum that I chair ex officio and is populated by a gang of thoroughly worth while individuals beavering away for the benefit of the local children and young people. This meeting takes place at the Fire and Rescue Headquarters just up the road from home and today was a day for carefully spending public money on projects of one kind and another.

24 November: The Managing Director of the County Press, Robin Freeman, very kindly invited me to visit their Newport premises and see behind the scenes. Robin, Dick Bradbeer, the Chairman and a past High Sheriff and Alan Marriott, the Editor, told me something of the challenges and successes of running a local newspaper these days before Alan took me round Brannon House, their splendid building in Pyle Street opened by Prince Andrew in 1992. I was more interested than those I was visiting were expecting, coming as I do from a printing background. To see how a modern newspaper is put together now is marvellous. Clever use of computers helps and this enables the CP to be printed in Berkshire now that is makes no financial sense to print it themselves. We then had lunch and more chat and I left having had a very happy visit. Frankly I doubt if the Island realises how lucky it is having its own independent local newspaper. Many counties have lost theirs and at best have something that is owned by a far off company with no real interest in local democracy.

23 November: The Women's Section of the British Legion had their lunch and Conference in the Parish Centre in Newport and I joined Doreen Taylor and David Langford in the audience. They had had lunch but I wasn't able to so joined the gathering in time for the start of the Conference. (Why is it that some organisations call these events Conference without the definite article?) Arthur Taylor was on the top table and said a few words of welcome. We heard what the various branches had been up to during the past twelve months and watched as a lot of cups and shields were awarded to women for a clutch of useful and becoming out of date skills. Out of date only insofaras the young women of today cannot be relied upon to have these skills. The need for them lives on. I was interested that there were several guests from the mainland in the audience. The speaker, Colonel Beattie, was from head office. I discovered over tea that he was planning to return to the ferry by bus or taxi, so took him and a nice woman from East Sussex, back to Ryde.

21 November: I turned up in Ryde for the opening of the M and Co. store in the High Street where Woolworths used to be, only to discover that it is next week. They had changed the date, and although it said 28th on the last email, it did not say it had been changed and did not draw my attention to the alteration so I failed to notice. Fortunately I can do it next week.

19 November: The Creekside (as in Wootton) Women's Institute very kindly invited me to join them for lunch. It was the best sort of walk-on gig as they really did not want me to do anything for the pleasure of their company. I thought that was pretty good, but these ladies have style and not only presented me with some raffle tickets, but a bouquet of flowers at the end too. Obviously I got to my feet at the end to say a very warm thank you. It was so kind of them and I had a lovely time with the interesting and agreeable women on the table I was at. It was a lovely end to a week otherwise mostly of meetings of one kind and another.

18 November: David came with me to the Parish Centre in Newport at the invitation of the Historical Association who were hosting a debate for A level students. They were asked to speak for five minutes on "Why does your local here matter?". In the end only two young women entered the competition which disappointed the organisers. One, Megan Moore from Cowes High School, spoke on Isabelle de Fortibus and the other, Tegan Morgan from Sandown High School who spoke on Robert Hooke. The panel of judges was David Wake, Vice Chairman of the IW Branch of the Historical Association, Gerry Moglione who has been a teacher, Richard Smout the County Archivist, my dear friend Judi Griffin and me. We were captivated by the two young women who spoke very well and we had a hard time with the judging. In the end Tegan won. John Matthews, Chairman of the Branch (and my Under Sheriff), sportingly spoke to us as well about a hero of his who had gone off to be a missionary in some pretty unaccommodating parts of the world. For the moment I am afraid I have forgotten the name of this particular hero. Jolly good of John to have joined in like this. He also entertained the audience while we were having our judgly discussion.

15 November: Chris Feak, the vicar in Sandown, offered me a choice of a more traditional sort of worship at 9.30 am in St John's or a more modern service at 11.00 am in Christchurch. I chose the latter and joined a congregation full of young families, guitars and dancing. Well, as my husband is often saying, Isaiah danced before the Lord. The main thrust of the service was to hear about the scheme for sponsoring a child somewhere in the world and providing clothing, education, medication and so on. We had first come across this when we visited the Elim church on the roundabout in Newport. This time David signed up, having not managed to get to the Elim church for a form. Chris kindly invited me to tell the congregation something about High Sheriffs, so I did. I knew from the two young women I met when we arrived that there were quite a few people there who really didn't know anything about High Sheriffs. Over coffee afterwards we discussed it a bit more.

14 November: Having driven to Cornwall and back yesterday to a dear friend's funeral, I was a bit behind the beat today and got to Quay Arts just too late to join the Cruse people's recruitment morning. I was not expected to do anything, just turn up to show solidarity, and unfortunately had been given the wrong time for the finish. The last Cruse ladies were still there when I showed up so I was able to apologise and tell them to let me know if I can help at another time. They were kind enough to seem pleased that I had turned up at all. On to the Minster where the PCC was holding its usual Autumn Fayre. Disappointing sort of a day to do well with this as anyone who did not have to leave home would not have done. That was a great pity for the PCC who reckoned that they had taken only half what they had done last year. I was delighted to find a bag full of things to buy. I then drew the raffle for the garden kindly donated by one of the garden designers on the Island who displays at Chelsea. Dash home before going back to Quay Arts for the Poetry Society Stanza, Isle of Wight Competition Prize Giving. One of the nation's top poets, Gillian Allnutt, was the judge and if that was not enough work, she then told us what she had found special about each of the commended poets and winners. This is a very difficult thing to do and she did it quite beautifully. A very scholarly performance following the reading of all the poems involved in the prize giving. I just had to 'say a few words' and present the prizes. At least I was able to mention my background in publishing when I worked with Cecil Day Lewis and for Leonard Woolf. Shameless name-dropping. The weather was causing havoc with the ferries and some of those coming across to this event were badly delayed. This meant that I had to leave a tad before the end as I had to cook for the dinner party we were giving that evening. I say 'we' though David was nowhere to be seen having gone to Twickenham for the rugby and did not turn up until we were just about to eat.

12 November: Sandown High School is the last of the five on the Island for me to visit. It is fascinating how different they all are. The buildings here were originally built for Sandown Grammar and Comprehensive schools and I think it does credit to everyone working and studying there now that they cope with a difficult site. My hosts had taken trouble with my visit and had arranged a very good programme allowing me to get a flavour of the school itself with a trip around it escorted by two of the senior boys. Any very well they did it too. I also met some of those who are there for what you might call pastoral care as well as the Head, John Bradshaw, for a quick lunch and a catch up at the end of the day.

The Mayor of East Cowes, Councillor Peter Lloyd, gave a reception at the Town Hall to which he kindly invited David and me. It turned out to include sit down food, delicious and comforting on such a beastly cold and wet evening. It was a charming occasion and we were delighted to be sitting with Peter and his family, including his twin brother. East Cowes is one of those communities working hard to succeed and I look forward to the fillip it should get when the promised Waitrose arrives.

11 November: This was a day for basking in other people's reflected glory as we listened to the Lord Lieutenant presenting the Queen's Award for Enterprise to A.J. Wells and Sons Ltd at their site on the industrial estate in Newport. This is a great story of a family pulling together and many of them still working together. I was taken round the factory after a delicious sandwichy lunch by a young man who couldn't say enough about his employers, their wisdom and wonderful way of doing business. This is a very special company and it was a joy to celebrate with them their success.

10 November: The Chairman of the Isle of Wight Women's Refuge, Vilma Barraclough, had invited me to the AGM in Ryde with the intention of my being voted onto the Board of Trustees. This duly happened and I had to nip off to positively the last meeting of the now defunct Board of Trustees of Victim Support Hampshire and Isle of Wight in Southampton. It was interesting to compare two very different Boards of Trustees.

Andy Gustar has been the leader of the Vectis Corps of Drums, a very good marching band whose progress we have watched with interest for years. I was delighted to be asked by Andy to be present at the Awards Evening at Downside Middle School in Pan. We were, of course, treated to the band in concert and yummy looking cakes during the interval. I say yummy looking because I did not eat one! Andy asked me to 'say a few words' which it was a great pleasure to do. All of us who have seen this band out and about at the various events on the Island have been enchanted to see ever smaller bandsmen join. One is as young as seven ears old.

9 November: After a trip round the Shelford's lovely garden, still looking good at this time of the year, I drove Bill to Lewes where we joined the church contingent of judges of both High Court and Circuit, and Simon Knight, High Sheriff of West Sussex and Elizabeth Toulson, High Sheriff of Surrey, in the Court building. When I have time I must investigate this building whose exterior looks older than its interior. We drove up to St Anne's church in a fleet of stretch limos there to have a good and unusually short service. The mayors, there were many, left the church before anyone else even the High Court judge, and when we emerged from this ancient building it was to discover that they had all lined up outside almost as a guard of honour. It was charming. Back into the limos and down to the court building where there was that old ceremony of the Letters Patent being read out. Bill and Simon then stayed for a session on the bench while Elizabeth and I repaired to the White Hart hotel to join the mayors and others of Bill's guests for coffee. That merged into the reception during which David discovered someone related to Bill and who knew old and now dead friends of my parents. Lunch followed and the general dispersal, me to change out of velvet and feathers then off to the ferry after another memorable and hugely engaging occasion. We managed to get back to the Island in time for a meeting of the Friends of Sts Thomas.

7 November: My son Piers (aka my Sword bearer) and his family had come down for the Remembrance Sunday ceremony in Newport. Last year their two little boys had put their crosses on the war memorial after everyone else had put their wreaths on. The same was the intention this year, but when it came to the moment, they were a bit overcome and did not go forward. It was an unpromising day, but the rain held off for the ceremony in the square. However the wind was bitter and strong and the people around me commented later on the fact that I was shivering visibly. I had not been sanguine about being able to get through this morning without shedding the usual tears, but I did manage, probably because I was concentrating on what I had to do. Apparently not many people who have to lay their wreath on the top step of the war memorial have to step first on the lower step to do this! My skirt would not allow for any other way of handling this activity and not being unnecessarily tall, I had to step up. There were some changes in the way the event was handled this year and I wonder if there will be further changes next year. The service in the Minster was excellent and the church was full. Good. Afterwards, I accompanied the Lord Lieutenant to the saluting dais in the High Street for the parade to march past. David kindly went to get the Boat Cloak that I was very glad to wear now that it had started to rain. Velvet suits don't do well in the rain. Home to proper Sunday lunch with the family then off to East Sussex.

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The High Sheriff of East Sussex, Bill Shelford and his wife Annette had very kindly invited us to stay with them on Sunday night before his Service for the Michaelmas Term of the Crown Court, as they call it there. They had very thoughtfully invited some old friends, Mark and Cathryn Rogerson to dinner with others that evening and it was lovely to catch up.

6 November: The Royal Corinthian Yacht Club has an event called the Rosa Lewis Lunch to which the lady members of the club and their guests (all women) have lunch with a guest speaker. I was that speaker. I knew quite a few of the audience and met a number more. I had assumed I would be asked to speak after lunch and when it was explained to me that I would speak before lunch which was supposed to be at 1.00 pm I was a tad concerned about the time I had been asked to speak for interfering with the chef's timetable. I decided to cut bits of my talk as I went through. Jolly good lunch and a kind audience.

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Popped in to see Pat Goodhead at Christ the King College and to choose which of the Christmas card designs I shall use for my card this year. Thank goodness the competition had been short-listed for me or I should have been in quite a pickle. As it was it was a very hard job. Pat and I were enchanted at the pictures we were looking at, including one that I felt might have been better as an Easter card. Great maturity. I rushed straight to the printers to get things under way.

5 November: Up to Parkhurst, part of what we now have to remember to call HM Prison Isle of Wight, to take part in a parade of former military personnel now serving time in Parkhurst. I had been invited to present military honours. There was a small gathering of us including two men from the British Legion with their banners. One of them had been a prison officer, so he was keen to exchange experiences with Dougie Graham, the Director of Parkhurst. The event took place by the war memorial in the immaculate and legendary gardens in Parkhurst. It was one of those duties I have been asked to do which I found very moving.

After the ceremony, Dougie Graham took me to the Visitors' Centre where they have a new project where families are invited to spend a large chunk of the day with the inmates so that they can keep closer to each other. I could see the value of this exercise having known of so many prisoners whose release plan looked good, but which did not work out because they were more or less strangers by the time they got home. Those returning from war and probably long periods in hospital may find the same problems. They discover that they are not as needed as they thought and their wives and families had had to learn how to do without them. This initiative is helped along by the prison officers who are in the Visitors' Centre on a voluntary basis. Good for them.

In the evening David came with me to the Royal British Legion's Festival of Remembrance in Ryde Theatre. Luckily I had heard that I was supposed to be there from Terry Gandy of the Newport British Legion who told the organisers that I had not received an invitation. It was a splendid evening with film at the beginning, followed by a concert including the Wight Diamonds, Vectis Corps of Drums and others, a display of Arms Drill by the cadets from TS Royal George and other very good performers. We all had a bit of a singsong and then a service.

4 November: After a couple of days of catching up and some meetings it was quite a change to go up to London to the Fishmongers' Hall for the High Sheriffs' Association AGM and annual lunch. It is always especially jolly being with other sheriffs and today was both interesting and a laugh. Being in the Fishmongers' Hall is a treat in itself with historic and very grand rooms and fabulous appurtenances. Two past Island High Sheriffs were also there, David Cheverton and Dick Bradbeer and I travelled back with them.

1 November: The church I had asked to visit today was All Saints in Gurnard. It was the Patronal Festival so the other two parishes that the vicar Lyn McRostie is in charge of each sent a delegation to the service. The service was all the better for having PowerPoint augmentation with the sermon. I was thus able to meet a number of three congregations which was brilliantly lucky, the other two being St Faith's in Cowes and St John the Baptist in Northwood. At the back of All Saints there is a lovely new addition to the congregation’s activities in the shape of the Garden Room. It will make a very good meeting and events room and should earn its own keep too. I offered to help with garden design if they felt they needed it, obviously without charge. It was a very happy visit and once again I came away congratulating myself on having had this idea.

1 November: The church I had asked to visit today was All Saints in Gurnard. It was the Patronal Festival so the other two parishes that the vicar Lyn McRostie is in charge of each sent a delegation to the service. The service was all the better for having PowerPoint augmentation with the sermon. I was thus able to meet a number of three congregations which was brilliantly lucky, the other two being St Faith's in Cowes and St John the Baptist in Northwood. At the back of All Saints there is a lovely new addition to the congregation's activities in the shape of the Garden Room. It will make a very good meeting and events room and should earn its own keep too. I offered to help with garden design if they felt they needed it, obviously without charge. It was a very happy visit and once again I came away congratulating myself on having had this idea.

October

31 October: Pan Community Awards Evening at Cowes Yacht Haven had been well and truly thought about, designed, arranged and made to happen by Tina Byers who so successfully runs Pan Together. She took advantage of the date and encouraged people to attend in Halloween fancy dress as she did herself. I did not and was by no means alone in straightforward clothes, but lots did and it was quite a laugh watching the various wonderfully ghastly interpretations of the theme for the evening. The hall and tables had been splendidly decorated by Tina and the whole thing looked great. Dinner was good too and I greatly enjoyed meeting those around me. Awards have to be handed out so I did my turn on the stage where I joined DJ Ian Mac who was doing his amusingly dry performance as compere for the evening. Having done the awarding, I stepped to the back of the stage to allow the group getting the award to be seen altogether. I had not spotted that there was a gap of about half a metre between the back of the stage and the wall and as about three steps were necessary to get onto the stage, it was a significant drop too. Fortunately I just avoided going down the hole! Not only were we given dinner but we also had quite a selection and variety of performers too. It was a very good evening and so pleasing to see the community of Pan having such a good time. I was really glad to be there.

28 October: Barry Greenberry, the head Governor of the newly amalgamated Isle of Wight Prison, invited me to join him at the Parkhurst Prison Council. This has not been going for long and is something of a feather in the cap of everyone involved in it. These councils are a mixture of staff and prisoners and this one was chaired, expertly, by one of the latter. The meeting was kept in good order and to the point and finished more or less on time. I was very impressed and delighted to be given the opportunity to say so. I asked Barry if I could visit the Councils at Albany and Camp Hill too.

David and I went back to the Royal Yacht Squadron for the second Isle of Wight Community Fund Annual Reception. I was very pleased that Fishbourne Sailability had been awarded some funds and Brian Gay, the Commodore, spoke to the assembled company about the huge success of Dougal, the boat I was so thrilled to launch in April. The mother of a boy who had been very badly damaged in a motor accident also told us about her perception of the impact Dougal and Fishbourne Sailability had had on her son. Thrilling to hear of this success.

25 October: I visited St Blasius church in Shanklin for the first time today. About a quarter of it is very old and this was added to in the middle of the 19th century which made it a short cross shape. This makes it an unusual church to walk into because you cannot immediately see all the parts of it. Sitting in the congregation was pleasingly intimate as it is quite a small church. I had met Douglas Kelly at the Shanklin British Legion Poppy Appeal Launch a short while ago and he kindly took me under his wing and I sat with him and his wife Sheila for the service. Alan Swanborough, the Rector, preached a particularly good sermon, commented on by lots of people over coffee afterwards. We also had excellent cake made by Sheila Kelly.

24 October: The post had let down the organisers of the Looked After Children's Awards, so they rang to ask if I could confirm my attendance at the ceremony at Cowes Yacht Haven and which part would I like to go to. The choice was between children up to 12 and those above. I said I couldn't possibly choose between them and as I was free, could I come to both. So I did. The afternoon one started with a curtain of white fireworks was lit over the stage. It was magical and I think I enjoyed it just as much as the children. The real star of the day was celebrity and former Eastenders actor Matt di Angelo. A few of us were invited up to the stage in turn to help him give out the awards. He had a hankering after my big High Sheriff's badge, but I managed to hang on to it. I went away when the tea was to be served as I had something else I needed to do, but went back again, dressed up in evening kit, for the older ones' awards. Again this started with the delicious fireworks. Quite a lot of the youngsters were in ball gowns, which is why I had dressed up, though not as much as they had. As before I joined Matt on the stage to hand out some of the awards before we had dinner. How important it is to show they young people that lots of us care about them, not just their carers. However, it was enchanting to see how close many of them are to the people who look after or foster them. More reasons to feel humble at the work other people do.

23 October: Derek Stirman, a retired social worker, had asked me to help him with the memorial plaque he had arranged to be put up in the little square in Ryde Square next to Somerfield. The plaque is to the memory of Theo, who some people will remember as what used sometimes to be described as a Gentleman of the Road. I remembered Theo myself, but only from a distance. I made a short speech about his life, based on the booklet Derek had written, from personal knowledge. The Mayor of Ryde spoke after me and contradicted the part I had mentioned about Theo's death, preferring to think that he had died by the canoe lake at Appley. People do like to hang on to myths, but I think Derek's version is unlikely to be incorrect as he was Theo's social worker at the time. The plaque is charming and very cleverly done by local sculptor Glyn Roberts. He and his wife showed me pictures of lots of other work he has done on the Island which both add considerable interest to and record the history of Island stories.

22 October: High Sheriffs' Trust meeting, back in the Police Station in Newport after their flood, and sadly without Alan today. Simon Dear came to talk to us about the proposed Awards that will be given by the High Sheriff of the day in March to celebrate the best of youth and what it can achieve. This is to make a change from people's concentration on how badly the young behave and the subsequent fear of crime.

21 October: I was asked to be at Cowes High School for and 8.30 am start of a theatrical performance put on by Trading Standards who get involved in more than most people would imagine. The thrust of today’s story was young people drinking, understanding when they would be drinking too much and how dangerous it is to drink alcohol especially when you don’t know exactly what it is you have been given to drink. One of the characters was raped and another could have died from inhaling her own vomit, as well as running out into the road without looking once she had come round. The students were then taken through the whole story and asked questions about what they had just seen. I stayed for the second performance and it was very interesting to see how differently each group was informed. The second group was much more clued up about the facts. I thought it was a very effective way to get a powerful message across.

Catch22 had decided to have a party to celebrate the partnership working that they have been involved in on the Island and wanted me to say a few words on the history of partnerships and how I saw them today. So I did. It was an enjoyable occasion and there were a good number of people there, demonstrating the breadth of partnerships working in the field. Inevitably there was some discussion about the difficulties and I felt, not for the first time, that some people describe as partnerships some arrangements which are simply paid for services. Not the same thing at all and likely to lead to disappointment if not understood.

20 October: Inver House in Bembridge has been very extensively modified and today was the opening and Long Service and Care Awards ceremony. We were given lunch and then heard the plans from the Chairman of the company that runs Inver House. Sadly I had a previous meeting at Christ the King College to discuss my Christmas card so had to leave early, but I think I shall go back another day and have a proper look. One of the residents in the newly finished apartments gave us an enchanting picture of what it was like to be there. It sounded like the excellence that can be delivered when the suppliers of a service actually listen to the users.

19 October: Finally the day of the Legal Service arrived. We all just about managed to find parking places in the first part of the council parking and met for coffee in the Jury Room at the Courts. The judges seemed to be pleased with the nosegays I had made them. After coffee in the Jury Room we were put into order and processed from the Courts to the Minster, arriving a tad early even though we were walking incredibly slowly. Lots of people, including friends I had invited, in the Minster, but unfortunately there was some difficulty with the last part of the seating despite the very very careful planning. The Lord Lieutenant could not sit in the front pew. Not good. The service was well received. After delicious cakes made by the Clatterford Centre people, and cold drinks in the south aisle, we got back into order and processed back to the Courts. Then we went off to Newclose Cricket Club for a very good buffet lunch. All this was early enough for our Resident Judge to sit in court in the afternoon and I sat with him. Very satisfactory and other judges sat too.

That evening we went to the AGM and watch the Sea Cadets get their awards. They looked so incredibly smart. Clearly these youngsters have really been inspired by the dedicated grown-ups who run the whole thing. We thought it was terrific.

18 October: I did not think I had time to go to church this morning as we had four of the seven visiting High Sheriffs who were coming for the Legal Service, to dinner and three of them to stay, plus my children. We had a fun evening which ended for me with clearing the table and making it ready for breakfast.

17 October: Shanklin was the venue for the Launch of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. I joined the Lord Lieutenant, in blues, and David Langford now the Island President, in the ceremony, moving as always. Unfortunately I had been incorrectly told that it was not a uniform event, but was glad that I had at least gone in a red coat. I was sent home with a big bunch of flowers too, for which I expressed hearty thanks and surprise.

16 October: Sarah Kerley came over from the courts in Portsmouth to make some last minute arrangements for the Legal Service. She has worked so hard.

Alex Hoather Blaus and Lucy Edwards came into the Minster to run through their important part in the service of reading the Litany of Prayers. After that the organist David Scott and I went through the service to check that the music was the way we want it. I am still sad that we cannot use the Vaughan Williams tune for O God of Earth and Altar, but Mr Justice Royce and Dame Mary Fagan were absolutely right that the tune has to be much better known to be successful, so we shall use the alternative tune.

The Newquay Male Voice Choir came to sing in St John's Church in Newport to raise money for the Isle of Wight Blind Society. I topped and tailed the evening and drew the raffle tickets and, like the rest of the audience, had a lovely time listening to a wide range of songs, including several solos.

15 October: Elizabeth Mills, High Sheriff of Rutland, had heroically agreed to arrange the Lady High Sheriffs' lunch even though she is in office this year. It was held at the Royal Thames Yacht Club which provided a good lunch in a comfortable and easily accessible venue. The guest speaker enthralled us about the way she had made major changes to the school of which she is head teacher with dramatically improved results from the more difficult pupils. As always it was a delight to see chums and catch up with what they are doing this year and just as much fun to hear what those in nomination were planning. Some of us had taken our 'uniforms' which were given some considerable attention. Elizabeth's has guipure lace on it unusually and beautiful pleats. The colour of mine was complemented. It was a bit of an effort taking it up but good to help Elizabeth.

13 October: Having taken the dog across the road to the kennels, David being away with the Lord Lieutenant and the gang, I drove up to see my mother in Buckinghamshire, change into the velvet suit and make my way to Oxford for Richard Dick's Law Lecture and Service. I managed to find my way to the place to park at Christ Church, met up with Berkshire and spouse and walked to the Examination Schools in the High for Tea, photos and then the Law Lecture itself. This year it was given by the Rt. Hon. Sir Scott Baker and was, of course, very good. We then had some more tea in the company of the whole audience before walking to the Deanery in Christ Church. There in the Dean’s upstairs drawing room we witnessed the presentation of 'Gloves' by the University to the Presiding Judge and by the City of Oxford to the Law Lecturer. Another curious tradition which it was fun to see perpetuated. After a drink to keep us going, we processed in due order into Christ Church Cathedral for the Court Sermon which is what Oxford calls their Legal Service and quite right too. It was in the presence of the Hon. Mr Justice Saunders and given by the Rev. Dr Harriet Harris, Chaplain of Wadham College. As luck would have it I was sitting just opposite her so was able to see as well as hear an excellent sermon. The service was a delight with beautiful singing. Another treat in store. We went into the great hall in Christ Church where we had dinner at the high table and a very good dinner it was too with delicious wine. I was not surprised by that, but it was thoroughly enjoyable to experience it. The great hall is the room used for the dining hall at Hogworts school in the Harry Potter films and is very impressive indeed. The High Sheriff of Oxford, Richard Dick, and his wife Felicity kindly took me home for the night with them, by taxi, to return to collect my car the next day.

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12 October: My friend Harriet Robinson had asked me long ago if I would open the Embroiderers' Group's Exhibition in the Minster and it was a pleasure to be able to look at the work with more than passing interest. The group had stopped calling itself Embroiderers' Guild and with a new chairman had encouraged a good number of new members. Astonishingly these new members, with the encouragement of the group, had produced some very good work indeed. I read them a small piece of W.B. Yeats' poetry which seemed appropriate and we then had a jolly time chatting over some very substantial nibbles and a glass of wine. It was a very good gig.

11 October: I had been very much looking forward to the Winchester Law Sunday Service ever since David and I had gone when I was Vice Chair of the Probation Board. We left Twyford in good time with Peter and I already dressed in our kit and joined others at the Judges Lodgings in the Cathedral Close. This is a fine 17th century house and I should think the judges who stay there are still very comfortable. We had time for coffee and to meet some of the others who were to be processing, including several High Court Judges, some of whom I had met before. Eventually, after some delay with the civic procession, we got into the prescribed line and processed the not very great distance from the lodgings to the west door of the cathedral, our spouses having been taken off earlier and seated. Winchester Cathedral always impresses me when I go into it, but walking up the aisle in the procession with Clare Bartlett was a very moving experience and one which I shall not forget. The service was lovely and I was very interested to see O God of Earth and Altar on the hymn sheet. When we got to it we even sang it to the very beautiful Vaughan Williams version of an old English tune. Unfortunately this did not fine favour with Mr Justice Royce who felt the congregation had been short-changed as most did not know the tune and so couldn’t sing it with gusto. He was glad to hear that, although I had chosen this hymn for my Legal Service, I had decided to use the alternative tune for just the reason he had given. The preacher was a fascinating man, the Reverend Professor Peter J. Gomes, Plummer Professor of Christian Morals and Pusey Minister in the Memorial Church at Harvard University. He is an engaging and witty man who made us laugh nearly as much as he made us think. However, he went on for 26 minutes, I was reliably informed by one of the ladies in what is known as one of the dead corners of the building. The service was full of beautiful music sung by the very good choir and was a great treat. After that we drove up to the Courts for drinks and a chance to catch up with quite a few acquaintances met both this year and before. The Mayor of Winchester, Councillor Dominic Hiscock, had kindly invited us to lunch at Abbey House. This is a charming old building next to the Guildhall and I had only previously walked past it. We had an agreeable lunch and I was lucky enough to sit next to the splendid preacher so had a most interesting time. By the time we got home we had had a full and fascinating day.

10 October: Diana and David Wood at the Seaward Guest House in Ryde had decided to give a Big Yellow Breakfast in aid of the Hospice. I joined the other guests, and enjoyed a delicious breakfast. They raised a good sum of money and it was a jolly occasion as well. They even got a County Press photographer to witness the event.

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That evening we went over to Twyford to stay with HH Judge Peter Ralls and his wife Tonia who had very kindly invited us to dine and sleep so that we were ready to go to Winchester's Law Sunday service at the Cathedral.

9 October: Breakfast was at 7.30am so that we could climb into our glad rags and drive to Dorchester in time for the service to start at 10.00 am. The weather was a bit dodgy but it was decided that we could process from the court building along the High Street to the lovely old church. It was a charming service with a very good sermon from the High Sheriff's chaplain who I had had the pleasure of sitting next to at dinner last night. We then went back to the Court, by limo as the weather was not getting better, and heard Mr Justice Royce at work on a case before drawing stumps for lunch nearby. I had been enchanted by the nosegays the Dorset High Sheriff has to arrange for the judges when they process. I thought I could do that on the Island. Visiting other High Sheriffs' Legal Services, called by lots of other names as here in Dorset, is a very engaging activity. I loved my visit to Dorset and had a happy drive home going over what had happened.

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For all my visit to Dorset went well, I still had to leap into the car the minute the lunch following the court part of the proceedings had finished. I had promised Richard Priest that I would be at the Shanklin Youth and Community Centre to make a presentation to a splendid couple from The Crab, a local pub, who had been raising money for the Centre. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was sitting outside and I had the chance to have a good look at it and hear from the owner how he had achieved such a brilliant representation of the film car. Aren't people talented! The place was heaving with kids bopping in the clever lights which react to the sound of the music so change to the rhythm of whatever song is playing at the time.

8 October: Home-start had its AGM at Quay Arts and as I had been so impressed by hearing from Shahida Nehorai what it is all about, I was very glad to go to this event. It started rather late as people kept arriving so I had to rush off at the end instead of talking to some of the people attending. Rather a shame. I had a ferry to catch to go to Dorset.

I had been invited to go to Crichel House for dinner and the night before the service to celebrate the Crown Court opening in Dorchester. Crichel House is the home of Victoria McDonaugh's mother, Mrs Marten and is very splendid indeed. It was a big formal dinner party that finished up in the Salon upstairs in this beautiful building. We had a lovely time.

7 October: The Rural Community Council has been putting on Briefings to inform interested parties about the new Vetting and Barring regulations. I was glad to be better informed, but not happy about the extent of the regulations. It seems to me that we shall be rearing children who have a distrust of all adults and that are unable to be comforted when they are hurt and not in the company of their parents. The implications are widening as we watch.

The Lord Lieutenant's Awards evening was held this year at the T.A. Drill Hall in Newport and was a super event. I was asked to present a few of the awards and was honoured to be making presentations to people who had worked tirelessly for years and years for other people's benefit. It happens all the time and it quite wonderful. We were then given a most impressive buffet by the TA chef. It looked and tasted wonderful. Altogether it was a lovely evening.

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6 October: One of the things it was suggested I should do was to sit with the Coroner. As the Coroner of the Isle of Wight is my Under Sheriff, John Matthews, it was a particular pleasure to accept his kind invitation to sit with him today. I found this just as interesting as I had expected and was very glad I had decided to be there for the whole working day.

5 October: Another early start with a 7.30 am ferry to go to the Royal County of Berkshire's Legal Service at the Minster in Reading. We found a large hotel/conference centre on the edge of Reading for me to change into my velvet suit and then went to find the parking area allotted to us. Unfortunately someone without much imagination had parked across the only bit of lowered curb to allow us to drive onto the rough piece of land we were expected to put our cars on. Some builders warned us not to leave the car where we had eventually thought we would have to, because they said we would almost certainly be clamped. I explained that the curb was so high that it would damage the bottom of my car. Bless them, they went to get some wood to make a ramp. How kind! They seemed quite interested in people in morning suits, velvet suits and feathers in hats turning up and parking. It then started to pour so we got into the lovely old Minster quickly. In Reading, which has a seldom seen, rather small but very charming old centre, the Minster is assisted in its ceremonial events by a team of mostly retired senior army officers who showed people to their places. We were interested that the Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire came in surrounded by four cadets, but before the High Court Judge and the High Sheriff. In most counties the Lord Lieutenant comes in last. It was a lovely service with some beautiful singing by the Oratory School nearby. After the service we came out of the Minster to more rain which somewhat spoiled the work of the poor photographers. We made our way round a couple of corners in a nearby modern shopping precinct where we were to have lunch in one of the restaurants. After this jolly occasion we made our way back to our car and home. As it happens it was our 41st wedding anniversary.

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4 October: Judi Griffin, President of Age Concern on the Island, had asked me to speak at the Big Sunday Lunch at Hasely also in aid of Relate, chaired by Vivian Roberts. I was a bit bothered that what Judi had asked me to speak on, matters around youth, was not going to be in the least bit funny. I told them about the various pieces of work being done so effectively on the Island to try to prevent vulnerable youngsters from getting into trouble. They were a polite audience and gave every impression of being interested. David and I then dashed down the road to St George's church in Arreton to the service to dedicate the church as the Isle of Wight Girl Guides' faith centre. It was well worth the rush to get there and I was much earlier than they had expected.

3 October: I had to get up earlier than I would have liked to be down at Cowes Yacht Haven by 7.00 am to meet the organisers of the ASTO (Association of Sail Training Organisations) and go round to talk to the young people on the competing boats in the race. Unfortunately the arrangements did not go as I had expected and when nobody turned up by 7.15 am I roared round to the Royal London in case they were there. No. So back again to the Yacht Haven where I decided to start my way round the yachts by myself. I hadn’t got far when Anthony Churchill turned up with a couple of others and I joined them looking at the wide variety of boats in the race. There were some big modern yachts; some really old gaff-rigged working boats and a couple of miniature square-rigged brigs. Sadly one of the old boats went aground in the harbour before the race began, and missed the race, and there was a prang when one of the other boats made a very big and expensive hole in one of the others and they both had to leave the race and limp home. I was tickled pink to be asked to fire the start gun and was relieved that I managed to do this without making a mess of it. After a while, the guests, committee members and others repaired to the Royal London Yacht Club for a delicious and very welcome breakfast and a round the table discussion about the future of ASTO races on the Island. I was so pleased to have been invited and to have seen the start of the race.

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There was a party at the Cowes Corinthian club for all the crews that evening and David and I had time to show our faces, and for me to present some prizes, before dashing over to Sandown for a dinner engagement.

2 October: When David and I had visited the Salvation Army at their Sunday morning service at the Riverside Centre earlier in the year, Majors Keith and Agnes Wallis had asked if I would open the Art Exhibition at their HQ in Pyle Street, Newport. As soon as I had declared the Exhibition well and truly open Keith took me round and we had a lovely time looking at a very varied collection of paintings showing much talent. Quite a few had got the telltale red dots to indicate that they had already been purchased. It was a very good show and excellent viewing.

Back, then, to Gurnard Pines to join the Bowles tournament at the farewell dinner. I went round to each table to meet the competitors from lots of islands to find out what sort of week they had had and what their islands were like. David and I agreed that we must go and visit those we have not already been to, especially those in the far north. They all seemed to have had a happy and engaging week and were going home with good memories of our Island. The organisers were kind enough to give me a trophy when I had finished awarding them to those who had won prizes during the competition. So I too have a boat with glass sails to remind me of the week which I had been invited to top and tail.

1 October: After a meeting at County Hall to discuss the arrangements for the Remembrance Sunday ceremony and a visit to Sts Thomas Square and the Minster, I went to visit the Hospice where Chairman George Hibberd and Chief Executive Graham Elderfield kindly told me how the funding and operations work. George then took me all round the site and I left feeling overwhelmed by the huge and generous efforts committed to the Hospice by all sorts of people. I was aware of the Garden Parties they put on at Barton Manor because I had been asked to open one in the summer. Apparently they manage to raise at least £7000 each time. They need to as well because they do not get as much funding as they need without raising a huge percentage of it themselves.

The Celebrating Age Festival was a new one on me, but I was very happy to help with introducing some of the acts and Councillor Dawn Cousins who gave some awards. The acts were splendid and included Sounds Lively, a group of enthusiastic singers who soon got the audience singing along with them, Mature Movers, a group of people led by Diana Smith who move to music to keep themselves moving. It is amazing how much anyone can do, even if only from a sitting position, to keep mobile. We finished with the Zimmers, a group of very talented performers who sing and dance and have done this round the world. It was a thoroughly inspiring afternoon. As I left the Quay Arts, I bumped into my next host there who looked slightly bemused to see me leaving. However I got home, changed and was back well in time for the next gig.

Ed Checkley is one of the Trustees of the Cowes Hammerhead Crane Trust and he and some fellow trustees had put on this event to present prizes to the winners of the Island Schools Art Competition. Pupils were asked to draw/paint and in one case make a model of the Hammerhead Crane. This is a wonderful piece of engineering signifying the glory days when Cowes was seriously involved in shipbuilding. I was asked to say a few words, in the usual way, and give the prizes. The children’s artwork was very, very good. It was delightful to see how the Crane had caught their imagination.

September

30 September: The Western Region of the High Sheriffs' Association had its second event in the form of a lunch at Athelhampton in Dorset. John Matthews, Peter Kingston and I went, John in his own car as he was driving west afterwards. It was an agreeable occasion, but the timing went awry fairly early on so that the guest speaker, Julian Fellowes, could not stay to speak to us. I was the first serving High Sheriff there to be asked to say something about my year and I told them about visiting different churches on as many Sundays as I can. I was watching the clock and did not stay on my feet long as Peter and I both had engagements to get back to. Sadly as soon as the last contributor had sat down, we dashed out and missed seeing Athelhampton, a nice old house, or saying goodbye to anyone other than our neighbours at the table. Fortunately we caught the ferry.

My reason for hurrying was to open a garden in a courtyard at the Youth and Community Centre in Sandown which I had visited before. They had turned it into a very attractive area thanks to some seats made and given by WISE, a garden table and chairs given by the mother of one of the girls involved, and lots of plants in containers. It also has a splendid mural on one of the larger brick walls. Also on a wall was a plaque saying that I had opened the garden. My first plaque! They very sweetly sent me home with a lovely bouquet of flowers and some chocolates. Very kind and very spoiling.

29 September: The garden at the Foyer in Ryde had had some attention already, such as the letters F O Y E R being dug out of the grass and filled with shingle. This did not help the mowing with the ever-present danger of getting shingle in the mower. When I had been to visit the Foyer in the summer, the new manager, Rachel Jagger Thomas, was just getting her feet under the table. I was interested to hear that she was keen to help some of the residents develop the garden a bit. Nigel George of Eccleston George had got involved too and the result was some very interesting and usable hard landscaping with a concreted area on which were concrete seats the shape of cocktail glasses without the stems and bench seats the other side. This area makes for an excellent out of doors room when the weather is good, or just somewhere to sit for short periods if the weather is only a bit nice in the winter. I had previously been over to discuss the planting with the resident who was particularly keen to see the garden move forward and he had also been to the Botanic Gardens at Ventnor for plants and more advice. Unfortunately I think the removal of the F O Y E R had been a step too far for him and they remain. However today was the launch and there was tea and cake, photographers, residents, a few local bigwigs, Nigel George and his boys, Ventnor Botanic gardeners and me. I said a few words and we all had a lovely time on a lovely sunny day. Stupidly I forgot that I had left my car key in the car, in the car park just next to the garden, so had to dash around looking for it until one of the girls suggested it might be in the car. I felt silly but relieved.

The Street Pastors were on to their second commissioning service, this time in the Methodist Church in Quay Street in Newport. David and I joined David Ouston and his gang for the preparatory prayers before most of the congregation arrived. This time, Caroline Baston, the Archdeacon, was to be commissioned as a Street Pastor herself. The police are already very pleased with what the Street Pastors are doing in Ryde and it will be wonderful when they are able to start operating in Newport after Christmas. It was another moving service and I was delighted to say some more words of encouragement.

28 September: Not far to go for my visit to the Clatterford Centre, where excluded children go a few times a week. They are given opportunities to stretch themselves and of course the much needed closer attention and supervision that so often can make the difference. Gill Andrew, who runs the Centre, showed me round and explained what they get up to there. I dare say some cynics would say that some of the activities look like treats for naughty boys, but I think this is a very short sighted approach and whatever gets these children back to somewhere sensible and contributing to society is time and money well spent. The young people really do make progress at the Clatterford Centre and it must also be remembered that some of them come from decidedly unhelpful backgrounds.

27 September: Back to Church Sunday was to encourage those who used to attend, but had stopped going to church, to come back again. This was the day for my visit to St Catherine's church in Ventnor and it turned out to be a particularly special service. Because it was also Harvest Festival the church was looking especially good with some of the best decorations I have seen. In order to make it very clear and understandable for those less familiar with services, it was as though we thought about what we were saying and doing for the first time. I stayed for coffee afterwards, always a happy thing to do.

In the evening David came to the closing dinner of the Bowls Tournament. I met lots of the visitors and learned quite a lot about their islands. We must visit those we have not yet been to soon, but not until next year. They seemed to have had a very good and enjoyable week and there was a very good atmosphere.

25 September: This was the day for everyone on the Island to give a coffee morning for Macmillan Nurses. I was invited to three, but only managed to go to two and the first at the Clatterford Centre only briefly. It was only possible at all because it was just up the road. I then went on to the one at the Conservative Club in Shanklin who had asked me first. It was full to bursting with people all drinking coffee and eating scrumptious looking home made cakes. My task was to hand out the raffle prizes. I didn't even have to draw them out of the proverbial hat because it was done electronically. I wonder how much money they managed to raise. The raffle prizes were very generous and there were lots of them.

At the Lord Lieutenant's suggestion, I had asked if I might visit Osborne ad Henry Barton very kindly took me round on the best visit I have ever had there. He is very knowledgeable about it and the history of what went on there and before we knew it, we had left it too late for tea and had spent the whole afternoon engrossed with the place. The special treat of going onto the roof was wonderful.

24 September: Having been to the YMCA do at Fairthorne Manor I was very keen to visit the YMCA at Winchester House in Shanklin. Emma and Heidi very kindly explained what happens there and we spent quite a long time exploring the expanding work of the YMCA. Heidi looks after the Young Carers and Emma runs the operation of the YMCA on the Island. I was also shown round Winchester House, built as hospital in the late 19th century so very useful for the modern purpose of putting up lots of children. They also take advantage of the building's facilities for earners such as conferences and weddings.

23 September: Very useful meeting of the Youth Inclusion Forum when we heard about a project in London where ten of the London boroughs had made films with the assistance of young people. The films were directed at the usual problems of knife crime, teenage pregnancy, drugs, alcohol and so on. It gave the Forum a lot to think about.

In the evening the Primary Care Trust was in party mode at the Quay Arts and celebrating many achievements. Points meant prizes and it was very exciting and heartening to hear about so many very imaginative and effective projects that had been started since last year. There were eight categories and lots of entries for each. We got to vote for the winners using electronic handsets. Good fun. I was very pleased to be asked. Delicious food too.

22 September: Rob Hoddle, Head of Ryde High School, had agreed to see me at the beginning of the school morning. I was taken all round this complicated site to see evidence of quite a bit of rearrangement of the delivery of the school curriculum with imaginative use of the buildings. It will be interesting to see what happens when the new high school system comes in. I very much enjoyed hearing what Rob thought of all this.

Cowes ASD Support Group had invited me to the Launch of their first group. It was touching listening to mothers of autistic children and what they had to do to help their children's talents come out. There was a variety of organisations here to help. Some people do have a hard row to plough, but they all seemed so positive.

Christ the King College had asked me ages ago to speak at their Celebration of Achievement Evening and it had had to be postponed from the Summer Term because of swine flu, so it was good finally to be there at the Cowes Yacht Haven. This was another evening full of feelings of pride in the talents and achievements of the children at the school. I told them about sheriffs of the past and how I became one. They were kind enough to send me away with a beautiful bunch of flowers, in house style purple of course.

20 September: The visit to the Church on the Roundabout had been in the diary for a long time and David came with me. Tony and Sally Murphy have a very special kind of ministry at this church and the congregation welcomed us kindly. We heard about their generosity of sponsoring children across the world. They send money for the education, clothing and general well being of these children and also keep in touch with them by letter. We also heard some of the responses from the children. David and I intend to follow suit with our family.

This afternoon at Barton Manor the Earl Mountbatten Hospice held the next of its Garden Parties. Graham Elderfield explained what was going on and I left him being master of ceremonies as I went round visiting all the stalls. There was a delicious mixture of charity and retail stalls which makes for a more interesting mix. It was a very good afternoon and I came away with a bag full of goodies.

19 September: David came with me to Ryde School for their Speech Day. We began with coffee and particularly delicious homemade biscuits before joining the school assembled in the gym (I think it was). We were very impressed indeed by what we heard about the successes of the sports teams and academic achievements. Clearly this is a school to watch. The students themselves introduced many of the sections of the programme and it was inspiring to watch and hear such poise in those performing. Eve Pollard gave a very good and amusing speech at the end. We then milled around meeting parents, staff and students at the following reception before going back into the old building's dining room for lunch. We both enjoyed ourselves and left delighted at hearing the exploits of such an enthusiastic group of people.

The Rural Community Council had its Voluntary Sector Fayre at Brading Roman Villa and we rushed off there where I had been asked to give out some of the awards. Those who had won were the British Red Cross, Homestart, the Isle of Wight Advocacy Trust, The Green Gym, the Isle of Wight Law Centre and the Storeroom. All of these making a very valuable contribution to the ease of other people's lives. Helen Snashall had kindly arranged the timetable to accommodate our Ryde School engagement. Michael Bulpitt, the Director, took us round the site and we saw all sorts of voluntary organisations displaying their wares. Fascinating.

That night was a treat as we were bidden to the Royal London Yacht Club to the dinner in honour of the Dowager Queen Adelaide as guests of the Commodore Philip Shears. This was a great evening and we had a delicious dinner too.

17 September: The YMCA invited me to the launch of the new building at Fairthorne Manor, their big house near Botley, north of Southampton. They had asked HRH The Princess Royal to do the honours. She arrived by helicopter and did her usual very impressive business of speaking to everyone in the big new dining room. Those in my group were very pleased and I was very impressed. The sun shone all day and it was great to see the variety of out-door activities arranged for the young people, including a real fire. How satisfying to see a real fire without people getting paranoid about health and safety. After the Princess had left, I went to the gold club that is part of the YMCA estate there, for a drink with some of the Trustees, including Alan Wells from the Island. He is the Chair of the Board of Trustees. That was not only fun but very informative too. As was the journey there and back on the coach with the Island contingent. They had very kindly included me in their travel arrangements, which made the whole trip much easier for me.

16 September: Having been to visit St George's School when there was the celebration of Dragon's First Birthday, it was lovely to return. This time Head Teacher Sue Holman took me all round the school, whereas last time I had only been outside in the grounds. I was enchanted by all the artwork displayed everywhere. It was outstanding work I thought and decorated the whole school quite beautifully. Clearly the quality of staff is high and their dedication bar none. What a splendid place.

15 September: The Duke of Kent was back on the Island for his second visit this year, the first one having been slightly unsatisfactory because a sick helicopter delayed his arrival. He had been so late on that occasion that those of us who had turned up to welcome him did not stay to do so. Today, however, the Usual Suspects were there and were happy to greet him at the start of his visit. He had the courtesy to thank us for meeting him. I think that is the first time we had been thanked by the visiting Royal person. The Duke was very much looking forward to his first visit to Osborne and I know he will have enjoyed it. I was fascinated that he had not been before.

I went home, climbed out of the Velvet Suit and into casual trousers and anorak before being collected by Gary and taken to Parkhurst Forest to join the Chief Constable and the group of youths on mountain bikes with the Challenge and Adventure guys. It was extremely interesting meeting and talking to these youngsters who had just been on a fortnight's trip to the wilds of Scotland. More about that in the evening. They did not at once realise who Alex Marshall and I were but were not fazed when they found out. Why should they be? It was a very worthwhile visit and I think Alex was as pleased as I was to have been there.

That evening Phil Wells, who runs Challenge and Adventure, hosted a celebratory evening when their guests were shown photographs of the Scottish trip. Clearly the boys had had a very good time, had pushed the boundaries of their experience and done hiking, rock climbing, canoeing and camping out in the wild. They had clearly learned a great deal. We found hearing about their experiences very encouraging. Phil and his band do a marvellous job with these sometimes challenging young men.

14 September: I had not sat with a judge since July and it was very agreeable to be sitting with Peter Ralls, an old friend who has a house in Yarmouth. David and I took him out to lunch and I went back into court with him for the afternoon. Yet again I found the whole court business very interesting and look forward to hearing how the trial turns out.

12 September: Instead of going to the Portsmouth Cathedral's farewell to the Bishop, I went up to the Bestival, for the first time, as they had asked me to judge the Fancy Dress Competition. I found a delightful young woman called Ruth who looked after me throughout my visit and off we went to where the Competition was to be held, on a catwalk next to a big marquee where some people were buying or hiring their costumes. There were also lots and lots of people who had constructed their own fancy dress and the results were amazing and often very funny. I was introduced to a comedian called Steve Frost who was the man with the microphone for this and who joined me in judging the various categories. Unfortunately it quickly got rather chaotic as the entrants to the different categories started to come onto the catwalk before their category had started. In the end we handed out lots of rosettes to lots of people but not necessarily in the right order. We then watched the Fancy Dress Parade in which many people in fabulous costumes who had not entered the competition, strutted their stuff. Gorgeous stuff it was too. Ruth then escorted me to the Welfare tent manned by Eileen Monks of the I.W. Youth Trust. She does this every year at the Bestival and sleeps there for five nights. On our way there and back I was enchanted by the many beautiful flags, which make the Bestival look the way, it does. The flags are silk, I think, and added a very special dimension to the site. I very much enjoyed my visit and we were all heartily thankful that it was dry this year after the nightmare of the rain and mud last year.

10 September: I went to visit the Isle of Wight Blind Society at their super house in Castle Road, Carisbrooke. It was the day for some of their members to come to the centre for the social club. What a lovely group of people run that organisation. I look forward to meeting them again at their fund raising concert on 16th October at St Johns Church in Newport, the church for which this house was built as Vicarage in 1850/1.

In the afternoon I went to St Paul's church hall in Pan to present the certificates and cups and shields to the winners of the Pan in Bloom competition. It was lovely to be in at the end of this project, having done the judging back in the summer. How charming many of the gardens were, including Barton Primary School.

More award presenting that evening at the Arreton Community Centre. This time it was the Best Kept Village awards. The Chairman, Jenny Goodall, told us about each award winner and it was a thoroughly heartening story to hear how people take the trouble to look after their community and to present it well to the world. It was also good to catch up with quite a number of acquaintances.

9 September: I went over to see the new garden at The Foyer and to meet the resident who is making it his business to sort out the planting. He is very enthusiastic, but quickly accepted that, as he will not be a resident for much longer, it is important to make sure that the plants chosen are not going to need much if any attention. We drew up a list of suitable plants, taking account of the shady area as well as the sunny.

I met Pat Stevens at Newclose Cricket Club to see Mike Scott the manager. Pat has very kind agreed to do the two pedestals of flowers for the lunch there following the Legal Service. As I shall have a house full of visiting High Sheriffs for the dinner and night I could not see having time to do the flowers myself.

8 September: I joined Deputy Lieutenant Patricia Partridge and the Council's Vice Chairman Ian Stephens at a Citizenship Ceremony at Northwood House. I love these occasions and this time was no exception. It is so good to think that people are prepared to go to so much trouble, and spend a significant amount of money, to become citizens of the United Kingdom. Those of us born here take it for granted.

6 September: This was the day for my next church visit. I went to the 9.30 am communion service at St James' Church in East Cowes where Jonathan Hall talked to us about Back to Church Sunday on 27th September. This is a very good idea to get those who once went to church to go back in the company of a friend. I hope it is successful and I am certain that anyone going back to St James' will be given a very warm welcome. I joined some of the congregation in the Parish Hall afterwards for coffee. I do love these church visits.

Back to church in the afternoon again. This time the Island was saying its formal farewell to the Bishop as he approaches his retirement. The Minster was full of dignitaries including the Lord Lieutenant. I went in the Velvet Suit in honour of the occasion. Unfortunately, one of my predecessors, David Biles, was taken ill during the Bishop's sermon and as he was in the pew behind us, my David went off to find Charles Mobbs who came to help. Such bad luck. It was also unfortunate that the whole thing was in the middle of the Bishop's sermon which those of us in those two pews rather missed. The good news is that David was well enough that evening to ring us from home.

5 September: After a week of one meeting after the other, of all sorts, it was lovely to have a proper High Sheriff gig. This one was in the form of the Guides Centenary Launch Party and took place at the West Wight Leisure Centre in the afternoon. It was also the occasion for Commissioner Deborah Meadows to hand over to Janet Lovell. Deborah can be confident that she was handing over to a very capable pair of hands. We went round the many different activities arranged for Rainbows, Brownies and Guides both inside and outside the Leisure Centre and I loved seeing such enthusiasm from the girls of all ages. There was a wonderful piece of business when we all went through a carefully decorated arch in the middle of the games field to demonstrate moving into the next century for the Guiding movement. Davinia Grimaldi, who is another Guiding Ambassador, and I had a very happy afternoon and were delighted but embarrassed to be given a beautiful glass figure. What a take home present!

That evening was the Gala Opening of the Apollo Theatre's new season. David and I have been to almost all the Gala Openings since the Apollo began and it was a delight to be asked to present the cheque to the winner of the £100 Club and to have the opportunity to say out loud how much pleasure the Apollo has given to its audiences over the years and what a special addition to the community on the Island it is.

1 September: The planning for the Legal Service is hotting up. This evening Caroline Baston and my new Chaplain, David Low came to discuss the service itself. Not many High Sheriffs have more than one Chaplain, but as Stephen Palmer left the Island I was fresh out of Chaplains and David Low very kindly agreed to look after me.

August

24 August: Homestart is an organisation helping families with children up to 5 years old, mostly by visiting them in their homes and helping in a variety of ways, including practical, rather than counselling. Shahida Nehorai who runs the Island Homestart kindly came to tell me about her work here. Homestart has an umbrella organisation but is fundamentally self-supporting locally so they have to find all the money to do the work. There are about 25 active volunteers, mostly parents themselves, who help parents with different problems. I should think they are extremely welcome too!

23 August: Before going out to a 40th Wedding Anniversary lunch party, David and I went to the Riverside Centre to join the Salvation Army in their Sunday worship. Majors Keith and Agnes took turns in leading us during the service and the band did a brilliant job with some of the music, though they were down on numbers because of holidays. We were very interested to hear one of the congregation, a young woman, talk of her experience of going to the event near Bath that was, by the sound of it, almost continuous worship. She had clearly been moved by this and spoke very well of her feelings. There was a lot of energy in the hall and it was a happy occasion which we were very pleased to have shared.

22 August: Kelly invited me to join her at the Downside Middle School Summer Fete which she and her husband Nigel had organised with others up at the Recreation field in Pan Estate. It was a lovely sunny, though very windy day and about 500 people visited a splendid first Summer Fete. Sadly apparently most of the staff of the school were on holiday so were not there. There were a lot of stalls, a 'tiger' walking around from Sandown Zoo, a fire engine, classic cars, a variety of refreshments, bouncy castles and lots of different games and activities. DJ Ian Mac was holding the microphone and did a brilliant job keeping us all informed and entertained. I went up after lunch and had a great time ending up with the longest raffle prize draw I have ever done. I hope Kelly and her team get lots of support from the whole community and the school next year too. Really good effort.

20 August: Senior Staff Nurse Karen Hicks had written to me to ask for my help with a project she was involved in at the Children's Ward at St Mary's Hospital. I went to meet her and saw what she wants help with. A small enclosed area outside the Children's Ward has already been made as a garden. It is covered with shingle and there are no fewer than three large Phormiums as well as a few other plants. It needs to be maintenance free, safe for children of all ages and a pleasant place to spend time in. I suggested that the first big clump of Phormium should be taken out and that the shingle is pulled back to reveal what is underneath so that we know what we are dealing with. We can then replant with more interesting plants and possibly some climbers. Karen had had a very good idea herself of putting up a large blackboard so that the children could express themselves in whatever way they chose, but without doing damage to the garden walls. I promised to send her a list of plants I thought would do the job. A big problem is that ducks tend to have their brood in the garden annually and the ducks get very aggressive when the ducklings are around, so it is not at all suitable for use by children. This is something we need to sort out.

The Women's Refuge is one of those charities that some people find tricky to engage with, but I was very interested to know more and glad that local chairman Vilma Barraclough and the CEO Fiona Guinnet were prepared to meet me in Ryde. Domestic Abuse, which we used to call Domestic Violence, is a huge and often hidden problem affecting the whole family not just the abused partner. Dysfunctional families more often end up with trouble leading to court proceedings than the rest of us. That's not hard to guess. So it is important to do what is possible to break the chain of violence and other abuse.

Eccleston George had started the new garden project at The Foyer in Ryde at the beginning of the week so I took the opportunity to see how they had got on. It was brilliant! They had used the existing area of concrete on the car park level to make a seating area and there were ideas for the planting, though we have not quite reached that point. It is exciting to see what Nigel George and his boys can make and so quickly.

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18 August: Cafcass (Children and Family Support Advisory Service) is the agency that deals with children's rights and interests when their parents have to go to court with divorce proceedings or when children need to be taken into care. Cafcass is independent of other agencies so can speak without conflict of interest. Because it is to do with young people, courts and has in its background elements of the Probation Service I was interested to visit the Newport office to learn more from Jo Cousins who kindly gave me an hour of her time.

I spent another hour with Eileen Monks at the Isle of Wight Youth Trust with some profitable discussion.

16 August: All Saints in Ryde was the next church on my round of visits. This is a splendid Oxford Movement building in which, as it happens, my parents-in-law were married although my mother-in-law lived in Newport. They had the service and reception in Ryde to accommodate the guests coming over from the mainland. The building is very much of its period, built by Sir Gilbert Scott in the 1870s. The windows are mainly not stained glass so the church is wonderfully light. The Vicar, Jonathan Redvers Harris, knew we were coming and David and I were kindly taken under the wing of his wife. All Saints has a long choral tradition of excellence and this was evident even with some members of the choir inevitably being on holiday. The music was very good. We very much enjoyed the service and the time spent with the congregation afterwards over coffee.

After a cracking good drinks party with friends in Yarmouth, we went back, by invitation, to the Roman Villa in Brading to see how they had been getting on with the Big Dig I had opened at the beginning of the month. Sir Barry Cunliffe kindly took us round, which is really going first class, and explained what they had found and what they had not expected to find. In the latter category was a drainage ditch which was beginning to be exposed. It was very stimulating being told what was what by Sir Barry who is wonderfully enthusiastic.

15 August: The Burma Star Association represents those who are part of the 'Forgotten Army' that fought and died in the epic Burma Campaign of the World War 2. The Island branch was formed in November 1952, since when 310 holders of The Burma Star Award have been members of the branch. In 1992 Countess Mountbatten unveiled the memorial window in St George's Church, Arreton. This is a beautiful piece of work that is very light and so does not make the interior of the church darker. The Association invited me to attend the VJ Day Remembrance Service which was also the 10th Anniversary of the laying up of the Island standard. The Vicar, Janice O'Shaughnessy, had invited me to read the Act of Commitment and Hope during the service. This I did, pleased to be able to make a contribution. I was delighted that Caroline Baston was also there and preached the sermon. It was a moving service with a surprising number of people there. Fewer of us went over the road to the Community Centre afterwards where we had sherry then a delicious lunch of very good pies and quiches with salad followed by some excellent home-made puddings. Well I think it was all home-made. It was good to hear the reminiscences of those who had been out in Burma. I was so glad to have been included.

13 August: Marion Heming had invited me to go to Yarmouth during the Carnival to present the prizes after the water sports and say something about the Ocean Youth Trust. This is an organisation which develops young people through adventure by way of taking them on its 72 foot 55 ton steel ketch, John Laing, based in Southampton. If they are between 12 and 25 they can spend some days aboard, learning to sail her, clean her cook in her and generally to be part of a team. This of course is the main point of the exercise. I was vaguely aware of it before, but am very keen on this kind of activity, especially for the young people who might not have thought they could have this kind of experience.

I joined the activities in the harbour soon after 4 o'clock and Brian Mead, chairman of the OYT, kindly accompanied me to watch the very amusing water sports. There were a variety of races involving people in small dinghies mostly with oars, but sometimes only with hands. Jolly good fun to watch. I was invited to ape my predecessor who had decided to join in one of the rowing races, but I had the wit to decline. It is a while since I have had a pair of oars in my hands and I didn’t want to present the prizes looking bedraggled. Unfortunately my short speech was shortened by Bernard, who had been comparing the races, as he was worried that some of the competing children who were still wet were getting cold. The result was that the assembled company did not hear as much as they should have done about the Ocean Youth Trust.

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12 August: My old friend Jane Ball is a Deputy Lieutenant and she was on duty with Arthur Taylor, still suffering, and me for today's Citizenship Ceremony. We had decided at the last one that we should come in to the room once all those ready to become citizens and there friends and supporters were already in situ. This worked well. Poor David Randall, the Registrar, was quite disheartened by the recording of the National Anthem, the one without the introduction. The way it turned out we just stood to attention and did not sing this time. David will revert to the old one I think. Today there were seven new members of the citizenry of the United Kingdom and a very agreeable lot of people they were.

11 August: I had a bit more time today to get the next judge's dinner ready. This time HH Judge Graham White and his wife, and some others came to dinner. I thoroughly enjoy this business of dining the judges.

9 August: As we had been invited to lunch with friends in Alverstoke I chose Ryde as my next church visit and went to St Mary's Roman Catholic church in the High Street. Father Anthony Glaysher has not been there all that long and is still getting to know his congregation. The church was full and I was disappointed that our lunch appointment prevented us from joining the congregation afterwards over coffee. Father Anthony kindly welcomed me to the service, which seemed to puzzle some of those in the pews.

7 August: Simon Dear had invited me to join him at UKSA where a splendid organisation called the Even Keel project had about half a dozen boats specially adapted to take people who use wheel chairs either on their own or with an instructor. The project inventor, David Rutter, told me about these clever boats and how versatile they are. Clearly they are very sexy craft that any keen sailor would want to sail, not just some old tub, so it is exciting for the young people who have not before had the experience of being out on the water in something like this. I think we shall be hearing a lot more about Even Keel.

Firework Night in Cowes began for me at Alan Wells' Mayoral Reception at Northwood House. I stood with a group of other seriously grown-up people watching the Red Arrows from the lawn in front of the house and squealing with excitement and pleasure as the aeroplanes roared around over Cowes. These receptions are excellent opportunities to talk to some of the movers and shakers on the Island and this was a happy occasion too. I then walked down to the Castle to join friends who were having dinner in front of the Pavilion before watching the fireworks. This year there was music too! I think fireworks are fabulous. I just love them. But this year they were better than ever and the music made a huge difference. How clever to be able to design a firework display such as the one we were treated to that night. We all had silly looks on our faces when it had finished. It really was terrific.

6 August: Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s 200th anniversary was bound to be celebrated on the Island that he loved and where he lived for part of his life. Up on Tennyson Down above Totland is the cross that is his memorial. Now, next to this, is a new toposcope put their by a small group of West Wight people who have already found the money in a variety of ways to pay for this beautifully carved piece of granite. It was designed by local graphic artist Tim O'Brien and carved by Wight Stonemasonry. The quality of the lettering is fabulous. I felt very honoured to be chosen to unveil this magnificent piece of stone. The BBC South Today television cameras were there, but some of the soundtrack will have been a tad difficult to hear thanks to the chorus of dogs who decided to start barking. It was particularly fun to whip off the red velvet cloth covering the toposcope!

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I needed to get home fairly promptly as we were giving a dinner party for Judge Cowling that evening.

5 August: The Mayor of East Cowes, Peter Lloyd, wanted me to inaugurate the new flagpole outside the East Cowes Town Hall where a very small group watched while I pulled the Union Flag up the smart new flagpole. There was a band playing outside the Town Hall including Richard Hall, a talented young trumpeter who has kindly agreed to play at the Legal Service in October. Inside the Town Hall I spent nearly two hours looking at the exhibition about the Polish warship O.R.P. Blyskawica, the ship that had saved Cowes on the night of an air raid by the Luftwafe during the war. The exhibition was put on by the Friends of the O.R.P. Blyskawica and Geoff Banks, a leading light in this group, told me all about it. It was a very moving and heroic story until the part where the captain of the ship wanted to join the Royal Navy after the war had ended and had been refused as he did not have the qualifications as a Captain that he would have had as a Royal Navy Captain. Not the RN's finest hour perhaps. It was a fascinating afternoon and I was even treated to delicious cream scones and tea.

That evening David and I went to Holy Trinity church for the Memorial Service for the fifteen sailors who lost their lives on the 1979 Royal Ocean Racing Club Fastnet Race. That was the year when the weather hit the fleet of yachts in this well-known race and many yachts were lost as well as the fourteen men and one woman. It was a good and thought-provoking service, as were several of the conversations we had with members at the RORC reception afterwards at the Pavilion.

4 August: I had originally planned to sit with HH Judge Cowling last week, but that plan fell through for reasons of the court listing so my next day in court was rearranged for today. I had been looking forward to sitting with Gareth as he had officiated at my Declaration. David joined us for lunch and I went back to court for the rest of the day. Then we went to the Chairman of the Council's Reception at Northwood House where poor Arthur Taylor was suffering with syatica (or however you spell that), which must have taken the polish off his evening.

3 August: The Taylors, Fiona White, Andrew Turner, Carole Dennett and I met at the Cowes Harbour Commissioners' Office on the quay to meet HRH the Duke of Edinburgh as he came ashore from Trinity House Ship Galatea. HRH was still irritated by the lack of lighting over the lectern at the Regatta Service the night before, but I pointed out that at least he had not had to go on tip toe to reach the microphone as I had. This seemed to amuse him. We both agreed that I had the best lesson to read too. This had been a velvet suit occasion so I went up to my dear old friend Helen Lowe to change for lunch on THS Galatea with HRH. A small party of us met on the Squadron steps where a launch picked us up and took us to the ship. The Deputy Master of Trinity House, Rear Admiral Sir Jeremy de Halpert, who is a real charmer, had invited about a dozen of us to lunch with the D of E. This was a delightful and interesting occasion. When it was time to leave we were amused and delighted to find that the launch taking us back to Cowes was already at the level of the saloon where we had had lunch, ready to be lowered into the water. What a way to travel.

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Back to Cowes later that day for another, less select visit to THS Galatea, this time with friends among a lot of guests invited to a Reception, again in the company of HRH the Duke of Edinburgh. Some of our friends are old friends of his so we had another chance for a chat. We were also shown round the bridge of this ship, which is packed with boys' toys of all clever kinds. It was a jolly good party, but we were late arriving at the Royal London's Champagne party. Fortunately the Commodore had also been on Galatea so was not expecting us earlier. The evening finished with a dinner party out west.

2 August: Promptly at 10.40 am, David and I walked up the path at the Brading Roman Villa for the opening of the Big Dig. I had been very much looking forward to this gig as several friends are heavily involved with the Villa and has invited me to wield the spade to demonstrate the start of this next important part of the discovery that is the Big Dig. Sir Barry Cunliffe, the eminent archaeologist, was in charge and there was a buzz in the air about what they might find in this new undertaking. I was very careful with the spade after my predecessor, Alan Titchmarsh, took the gardener's approach to putting the spade in and worried the archaeologists that he might damage something near the surface. All I did was to take off a very small piece of the turf already cut round by David Low. It was all very orderly.

We then went off to a very warm welcome at the Island Sailing Club where Commodore Bill Pimlott was hosting a delightful drinks party on the roof of the club. They gave us lots of delicious canapés and we had a lovely time catching up with some old friends and acquaintances before going home for a bit of gardening after lunch. We cleaned ourselves up in time to go to the Regatta Service at Holy Trinity, Cowes. This service went at quite a lick with five very singable hymns and no fewer than four readings by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, the Lord Lieutenant, Andrew Turner and me. Bishop Kenneth preached the sermon, his last at this particular service. He had already got into his position in a chair at the altar steps as I walked up to the lectern to read my piece and I was very encouraged to get a wink as I passed.

The next bit of the evening was a bit of a dash from party to party, firstly to the Royal Thames who had their's at the Commodore's House in the High Street. This is a fascinating building, which had, I think, once been a sail loft. We then went to the Royal Yacht Squadron where Cowes Week Ltd, the organisation behind the whole regatta, was holding their cocktail party at the Pavilion. The High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, Richard Dick and his wife Felicity had very kindly invited us to dine with them and friends at the Squadron later that evening which was great fun. One way and another it seemed sensible to leave the car in Cowes and go home by taxi.

1 August: Cowes week starts here. Our first party was the Royal Corinthian's Commodore's Cocktail Party. The marquee looked very pretty with a dark blue ceiling with twinkly starry lights, all ready for their ball.

July

31 July: I joined the Witness Support team at the end of one of their meetings in the Court House in Newport. They are a very committed bunch of people who spoke of their work with sensitivity and imagination. The people they support while giving evidence in court must feel much more secure for the Witness Support people. Emily Nichols, the new local manager, seems to have got herself stuck into the job and will soon be looking for more volunteers.

Off to the Foyer in Ryde for my second visit, this time to discuss the proposals for developing the garden at the back. To my delight Nigel George and his team were there and were going to be helping make the new garden a reality. I look forward to seeing what they come up with.

Tonight was the night to go out with the Ryde Police patrol cars. I had chosen Friday night because I wanted to see the Street Pastors in action and this was their night. I joined the team just before 6.00 pm and off we went. It was fascinating watching the PCSO who was driving the van greet and be greeted by all sorts of people as we drove by. Clearly he knows and is known by a large number of the community. We got out from time to time to call on people who had asked for assistance and stopped when we saw various children's bikes, also recognised by the uniforms. They were able to reunite children with parent as a result. Most of the trouble we encountered was caused by too much alcohol. This was no surprise. Towards the end of the shift we found the Street Pastors who had also mostly found drunken young people who needed their attention. It is good to know that they will be starting this scheme in Newport soon.

29 July: Danny Fisher and I were asked to go to today’s Citizenship Ceremony. As he was wearing his blues uniform and as this has spray-on-tight trousers I offered to go and collect him. David Randall, the Registrar, had finally managed to find a new version of the national anthem, which he had been trying to track down for ages. Unfortunately it does not have an introduction so rather left us to catch up. It is also quite high. Back to the drawing board?

Later Simon Dear and I had another useful meeting around the Youth Inclusion Forum.

26 July: My next church visit was to Wroxall where Anne Faulkner leads a devoted congregation. I had my six-year-old grandson Giles with me and we both very much enjoyed the service, full of chat and informality mixed with traditional worship. We were able to have coffee with them all afterwards in the parish hall. It is a lovely way to meet people.

Ray Rowsell, President of the Isle of Wight Youth Concert Band had very kindly invited me to their concert at Medina Theatre and, as I had not had the pleasure of hearing them before I was very pleased to go. This is a very accomplished band of young people of considerable talent. We had a most interesting and varied concert from nineteenth century to contemporary pieces. We had a great time. I am now looking forward to the next time I can hear them.

My Chaplain, Stephen Palmer's last service was at 6.30 pm in the Minster. Poor Stephen has been having a series of farewell dos, but this last service at which he officiated on the Island must have been hard. I shall miss him very much as will the parish where he has done such a great deal, particularly with the Campaign for the Renewal of the Minster. The Minster was packed and I was very glad to have been given a front seat with the Lord Lieutenant and Fiona.

21 July: Off to London to have tea with the Queen. This was the third Buckingham Palace Garden Party we had been to and this time we made a point of walking round the garden. The long border on the first occasion we were there thirty odd years ago had been a big disappointment with large slabs of bedding plants put in. This year it was beautifully and imaginatively planted with an interesting range of later flowering perennials. I loved it. We bumped into two of the Island firemen who had been on the Square to Square (Sts Thomas' to Rome) fund raising trip and their wives. It was lovely to see them there. Later we saw a young friend in the army who we had known since he was little and then came across a gang of fellow High Sheriffs, ending up by leaving at more or less the same time as Peter and Virginia Bottomley. Apart from the people we knew, we talked to whoever happened to be standing next to us and we had a lovely time. It was miraculous how the rain stopped as Her Majesty came into the garden and started again when she got to her tea tent. Tea was lovely with delicious things to eat and then someone came round with ice cream tubs. Altogether it was a thoroughly enjoyable occasion.

20 July: As we do not have an Employment Tribunal centre on the Island I was delighted to receive an invitation to visit the one in Southampton, first having asked Clare Bartlett permission to be on her territory! Roger Peters, the Regional Employment Judge running this centre was kind enough to take me round and together we decided on a good case for me to listen to from the back of the room. I was interested in the way the whole process works, similar in some ways to magistrates in that there is a chairman of the panel, a qualified lawyer, and two 'flankers' who are not. The chairman of the panel I was observing was very clear and helpful to those in the room, one of who was not represented so needed some help. It was clear, transparent and understandable and I think that however it turned out at the end of the case, both parties will at least accept that the process was satisfactory.

19 July: Mary Groves asked me if I would join the congregation in the Minster for morning service and to present the book prizes to the Sunday School children. It was as always very pleasing to see and hear them perform during the service. Aren't we lucky that Mary and her team continue to run the Sunday school and encourage the children to think of church as the natural place to be on a Sunday. They even gave me a bunch of flowers, which made me feel very spoiled indeed.

That afternoon I went to Dover Park County Primary School where the Global Rock Challenge picnic was happening. They very sweetly played the DVDs of both the Sandown and Ryde High School performances which had come first and fifth respectively in the national finals. A terrific achievement. I was also able to watch the DVDs of other Island contributions and I came away absolutely fascinated and full of admiration for these youngsters' talent.

18 July: Dr Christina Hill Williams, the High Sheriff of the Royal County of Berkshire, had kindly invited David and me to her Judges Lunch in the garden of her home at Upper Basildon not far from Pangbourne. She had specifically invited me to wear my Island High Sheriff badge so I did. Apparently she had done the same when visiting Somerset, again by invitation, and was surprised to discover that the Lord Lieutenant of that county had taken exception to the wearing of the badge on someone else's turf. As John Alvis, the High Sheriff of Somerset, had invited Christina to wear her badge we were puzzled that the Lord Lieutenant should express an opinion. Oh well … We had a very jolly lunch among interesting and delightful people and were very pleased to have gone.

While we were on the mainland we went on to Buckinghamshire to see my mother which made sense but prevented us being at the Inaugural Organ Concert in Shalfleet church to which David Bevington had so kindly invited us.

17 July: Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall's helicopter managed to get through the 'claggy' cloud over Ventnor and land safely on the Middle School playing field. There was a fear that it might have had to divert to Bembridge, but all was well. While we were waiting for the helicopter the rain came down heavily, beaten almost horizontal by a most unpleasant wind, so we were relieved when it quietened down in time for the royal visit to begin. However, it was touch and go in terms of the rain, though we did not have to have brollies up while we were being presented. The Prince said he thought I was sensible to be wearing a hat (I was wearing my velvet suit) and I forebore to say that perhaps mine was not the most sensible kind of hat to be wearing, what with all those ostrich feathers on it. He and the Duchess then went over to meet the children waving enthusiastically and they spent a goodly amount of time chatting. Those of us in the presentation line were delighted to see it. The Royal party then went off to the Ventnor Botanic Garden and I peeled off not having been invited to that part of the day.

I was, however, invited to the Fire and Rescue Service's presentation for the Prince that afternoon. Among other things he was shown the most recent contingent of LIFE participants and was much amused by what he saw. The Lord Lieutenant gave me the opportunity to sing the praises of this particular operation which is proving so effective in reaching youngsters who had been giving trouble.

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That evening David and I were invited to go to King's Manor where West Wight Charities, a group of our friends who have been raising money for Island charities for years, were putting on A Summer Night by the River in the Sheldon's garden. This was in aid of the Isle of Wight Young Carers Project and I was very pleased to be able to help in a small way by saying a few words in support of this very important piece of work to help the young people who have to look after, usually, their parents for one reason or another. We were entertained by the Island Savoyards and the Unity Stompers which was encouraging on a really rather dreary evening. One friend involved in the organisation of the evening had been telling her Dutch sister about the evening that day, when the weather was already known to be bad. The sister had assumed the evening would be cancelled. My friend put her right on that one: English people would not cancel because of a bit of rain. I think the evening raised around £4000.

16 July: The High Sheriffs' Trust meeting is usually held at the police station in Newport, but because of the flood they had back in April, the room we use is still out of commission so we had today’s meeting in my dining room. Always good to be with the gang.

Back to Pan in the afternoon to visit W.I.S.E.'s Garden Open Day. Bridgitt and Steve have, with the as yet unskilled team of youngsters, transformed what must be between a quarter and half an acre of wasteland next to the allotments used by the residents of Pan Estate. They had had to clear the area of lots of rubbish and brambles as well as ordinary weeds, and then turn it into the marvellous garden it is today. Sensibly they have put quite a lot of it down to grass and so we were able to wander from one bed to the next in comfort. Most of the beds are raised and most were growing vegetables and herbs, though some were planted with flowering perennials, harvested for their flowers. All the produce is sold. To begin with the neighbouring allotment holders were not especially keen to have potentially troublesome youngsters close by, but they are now very much on side and contribute to the success of this project by giving plants and their own produce. That very evening they were entertained to a barbeque. Another success story.

15 July: I had been invited to chair the Youth Inclusion Forum and this was my first meeting. I had started by having to ask them to change their original date and as a result the planned venue was not available. Luckily I could say we would have it in my dining room, so we did. I knew some of those round the table already, and was delighted to meet most of the rest of the Forum. I had not before chaired a group with no Chief Executive or similar so wondered how action following decisions would work. No problem there. People just said they would do the various pieces of work, which arose. The Objectives of this Forum are:

To deliver services that will ensure measures are in place to support children and young people and direct those who are most vulnerable away from crime, anti-social behaviour, substance misuse or unsuitable activities through community-based provision which promotes positive outcomes.

I shall enjoy being part of this group and was very flattered to be invited to chair it. More later.

St Georges' School just up the way from me in Watergate Road kindly invited me to the Dragon's First Birthday Party and their Summer Festival. I had a whale of a time being taken around by Nigel George who is one of the partners in Eccleston George who have been helping the school develop their environment creatively and then to offer the facilities to other schools. This involves the management of the business from maintenance to PR so that they learn an enormous amount of different skills and put them before other schools as their customers. It is a unique project and quite extraordinarily effective. Jock, who is a volunteer at the school, then showed me some more and told me a great deal about the school and how the Eccleston George project had been received. The grounds are full of specially built play areas thought up by the children and that are able to teach them about how people operate and nature and, well so much more. The Headteacher Sue Holman was going to give me a tour, but clearly she was needed elsewhere so I have asked to go back next term. I came away on cloud 9. What a fantastic place.

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14 July: Having had my interest aroused by the Community and Family Learning Awards ceremony I asked if I could visit the headquarters, Carnival, at the Westridge Centre. There I saw amazingly clever masks and other carnival kit made by those taking advantage of the learning that is available. The commitment of the people teaching is total and I was not surprised that they get such good results. While I was there some of the teachers were themselves being taught about how to make glass jewellery and similar small artefacts. Sadly I did not have time to join in myself, but it was fun to watch for a while.

I was off to Cowes High School who had had to cancel their Prize Giving evening because of Swine Flu, but who had very kindly invited me to join them at a hastily arranged event over an early and delightfully informal lunch. It was a very good idea to have this lunch because the young people in question could be given (by me) their prizes and so all was not lost. Those in the Great Hall seemed to me to have a quiet confidence, which was both attractive and will stand them in good stead. David Snashall, the Headteacher, was quite rightly very proud of them.

13 July: His Honour Judge Graham White had invited me to sit with him today and, as with other judges, I found it very interesting to see how the procedures of the court are handled. On this occasion a jury was sworn in, having first been selected by random and then everyone asked for their availability in terms of the expected length of the trial. This cut out one or two, so two more people from the pool had to be selected. Those to be on the jury also had to be asked if they knew any of the names read out to them who would be involved in the case. Another one had to go at that point.

12 July: The Civic Service had been changed from last Sunday to this which suited me as I was now able to attend after all. Deputy Lieutenant Judi Griffin represented the Lord Lieutenant and she and I by turn were escorted down the aisle to our seats by Stephen Palmer. The Corporation Pews were full of Councillors and their spouses and partners and we were able to chat afterwards with refreshments in the South Aisle. The service was thoroughly enjoyable with lots of good hymns and a wonderful sermon from the Archdeacon Caroline Baston. I was so glad to have been able to be there.

11 July: Fishbourne Sailability had their Open Day at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club today and I was very keen to visit them again. One of the Wightlink ferries had broken down earlier in the day which resulted in there being not enough room for the backlog of cars on the area at the terminal. My hostess at a lunch party knew that I was planning to go to the Open Day and thoughtfully rang to tell me that people were sitting motionless in their cars for up to three quarters of an hour in Fishbourne Lane. I decided to go by bus and walked down Fishbourne Lane to the Yacht Club where the welcome was warmth itself. There were lots of activities for people who were visiting the event and Dougal, the vessel I had had the honour of naming, was much in demand. John Power from Cowes had brought his very beautiful, very old steam launch to the party and was taking visitors out in her. Irritatingly I cannot remember the name of this very special boat, but it was wonderful to see her. The Club is one where everyone seems to be keen to be friendly and the number of people now enabled to get out on the water increases week by week.

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10 July: Richard Williams, head teacher at Medina High School, kindly gave me his valuable time, took me round the school and explained his ideas about what makes a successful education experience for students. I was fascinated to hear his views about the future of the education system on the Island and very encouraged by what he said. It was a stimulating visit and, as so often, a joy to hear the enthusiasm of a professional teacher.

For the second night running I had been invited to attend and speak at a school's end of term celebration. This time is was to have been Christ the King College's night, but sadly this, too could not go ahead. It has, however, been postponed to the beginning of the autumn term.

09 July: Mayfield Middle School was the venue for the second FAKE presentation that I had attended. This time the technology worked properly so the children did not have to listen to me while the computer was sorted. They joined in enthusiastically with PC Stuart Ross and told him which hand weapon they thought was real and which wasn't. They seemed to take the point that policemen have little time to decide which is which when they meet them for real and have no choice but to fire when faced with the dilemma.

Dashed home to change into the velvet suit and drove to Ventnor Middle School to join the Lord Lieutenant, Fiona White and others who had gathered to meet HRH The Countess of Wessex whose helicopter came down on the games field of the school. Once we had been presented, Her Royal Highness began her visit by talking to the children who had come out to meet her. This is a charming young woman who delighted the children with their conversation with her. We all then went to St Catherine's school for lunch and where HRH went round the tables in the dining room where guests and students alike were presented and talked to her. The two students on my table had expressed reluctance to say anything until the Countess arrived and then they chatted away confidently to her. Their teachers were very pleased, as were those close to them at the time.

The next event was at Haseley Manor where the St John Ambulance staged the launch of the Wheels for Life initiative. I had to go home very quickly first to change out of the velvet suit which would have been de trop for this event. Having been presented earlier in the day it did not matter that I arrived after the royal party. We had a very, very good tea and, once again HRH came round to each table and charmed everyone. It was an excellent occasion and should make a very good start to the new fundraising effort.

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That evening I had been engaged to be at the Cowes High School Prize Giving event, but sadly this had to be cancelled because of suspected Swine Flu. Such bad luck.

08 July: Today found me back in Pan, this time going from garden to garden judging Pan in Bloom accompanied by Terry and Beryl Gandy who run the event. It was delightful to see what hard work people had committed to their gardens. As a garden designer I was particularly interested to see how the spaces had been tackled, some in a traditional way and some with quite a modern approach. There is some first rate gardening going on in Pan and this includes the children's allotment behind Downside Middle School. It is good that they are being encouraged to start young.

There was no time to hang about. I was off directly to Ryde High School where the Fire and Rescue, Ambulance and Police put on their Head-On show. This starts with a classroom session with a short film showing a fatal accident involving young drivers. The students in the classroom I was in were all too young to drive (13-14 year olds) but it was brought home to them the dangers implicit in driving, especially when seat belts are not used. The group I was with were quite reluctant to engage with this presentation, but they will not have been so distant when they saw the practical demonstration of what happens when the three agencies attend a motor accident. The mother of a young man who died in such a crash was there too. This extraordinarily brave woman now goes to these demonstrations and a tape is played of her reactions to what happened to her son. She is there to talk to the youngsters when they have witnessed the professionals at work, turning up at the scene of the crash, cutting the injured out of the vehicle and rushed off to hospital. Not surprisingly they are very moved, as was I, by what they saw.

07 July: For once David was able to accompany me to West Sussex High Sheriff Simon Knight's Reception at Windlesham House School. This was a very big Do to which we were enthusiastically welcomed and generously entertained by our velvet suited host. Simon is clearly enjoying his year as much as I am enjoying mine. There were over 500 guests so I don’t know how many other High Sheriffs there were, but we came across East Sussex and the Royal County of Berkshire. We also met lots of interesting and well-informed people, mostly from around West Sussex. It was well worth the effort of crossing the Solent.

06 July: The Community and Family Learning Service invited me to their Awards Ceremony at the Ventnor Botanic Gardens. They had recently had an Ofsted Inspection and had done outstandingly well. I keep banging on about all the good work being done on the Island, but this is another and very successful example that encourages joint learning for parents and children. School by school the awards were presented and it was astonishing how inventive and creative everyone, learners and teachers both, could be. It was evident that much real ground-breaking work had been done bringing a special opportunity to parents to engage with their children.

05 July: I was lucky enough to be invited to the Aldershot Army Show and the invitation included guests. My ex-soldier son Piers, his wife Caroline and sons Giles and Caspar were duly added to the invitation and we had a thoroughly enjoyable time and very kind hospitality in the VIP marquee as well a having a very good look round the large number of stands at the show. Piers met someone he had served with almost as soon as we arrived and I had fun spending time with several other High Sheriffs from neighbouring counties. Dame Mary Fagan, Hampshire's Lord Lieutenant, took the salute and made a speech and we all enjoyed some very good displays in the main ring. It was very good to see the Army show us what they can do these days and it seemed to me that it raised the morale of the soldiers to be able to do this. Those of us who were guests felt very proud of those who serve in today's Army. It was very special to be there. The older of the two grandsons there was in seventh heaven and I wouldn't be surprised if he followed his father into the Army in time. Certainly Piers said being taken to the Army Show in the 1970s had convinced him that he wanted to be a soldier.

04 July: The County Trefoil Guild gathered together for Afternoon Tea in the Lion's Centre in Lake and kindly invited me to join them. There is a useful garden behind the building where we sat at tables under borrowed and very smart sunshades and enjoyed a cream tea. Tea is not a meal I normally indulge in so this was something of a treat. What was fun was meeting these wonderful women who make Girl Guiding happen. These are the Guiders without whom the movement would cease to function. They had all been Girl Guides themselves and now gave up hours and hours of their time making sure that the next generation has the same opportunities that they were given.

03 July: At Sandown Youth and Community Centre there is a drop in arrangement for youngsters on Friday afternoons. They are looked after there by Macala from Catch22 and Josie who works for the Council. It was encouraging to spend some time with four of the girls who had dropped in, on this occasion for a barbeque. Josie also took me round her part of the building and I was impressed by what she is able to offer young people in the Bay area. Two local policemen dropped in too and I was glad to see the relaxed way the youngsters there at the time were with the two in uniform.

W.I.S.E. also has a workshop in the same building so there is quite a commune of workers looking after young people.

01 July: This was a day when two invitations coincided, one from W.I.S.E. (Workshop Initiative for Support in Education) and the other from the prisons. On the basis that W.I.S.E. both asked me first and did not have a lot of other people whereas the prison event had plenty of important people, not least the Lord Lieutenant, I accepted the W.I.S.E. invitation. Adrian Earle, the manager, took me round their premises on the Dodnor Industrial Estate to see the variety of work that the young people have done. The work was not only very good, but had been extremely well displayed. W.I.S.E. offers pupils who have difficulties adjusting to the social or academic demands of mainstream education the change to fulfil their potential with training in a variety of practical disciplines. They also get the chance to work in a smaller and more structured environment. Clearly this is very successful if what I saw and heard is anything to go by. It was inspiring to see what work had been achieved in woodwork, motor mechanics, gardening and various kinds of art. I handed out the awards which demonstrate how well these youngsters have done. I am looking forward to visiting their Garden Open Day at Pan.

The way it turned out I was able to get to Albany House for the lunch and unveiling of a commemorative plaque following the service of dedication of the newly amalgamated H.M.Prison Isle of Wight. It was a good opportunity to meet several people I had wanted to consult as well as just being pleased to be at the celebration of a new and important venture. With Barry Greenberry as the Governing Governor it gets off to a first rate start.

June

29 June: I had not yet had the opportunity to visit the Isle of Wight College and Debbie Lavin, the principal, kindly gave me lots of her time telling me what goes on there and discussing what young people need, particularly those who do not go to University. I had heard from other people in the community how well the College is doing and was very pleased to meet Debbie. She and her staff clearly make a big difference to the future of the Island.

28 June: Pan Soap Box Derby has become a recognised event and I was really delighted to have been asked to take a part in it. My job was to do the judging of several categories which covered how the soap boxes were made, how they looked and how good the design was. I was quite gratified to find that the one I picked for a good design did really quite well. It was huge fun watching them hurtling down the specially built slope, some going quite fast and carrying on for some time on the grass. Others had trouble with steering and some crashed. As usual there were other activities going on and everyone had a jolly good time. I certainly did.

That afternoon I went off to Havenstreet where the Jaguar Club of the Isle of Wight, a region in its own right in this context, was hosting a car show. Obviously the place was full of beautiful old Jaguars, beautifully maintained by the enthusiasts who own them. There were also some other interesting marques and, for those who like motor cars and I do, it was a real eyeful. Keith Parish, the chairman of the local organisation, took me round the field to see what was there. Some clubs from the mainland, Kent and Bristol for example, had made a whole weekend of it and had had specially printed T shirts for the occasion. Apparently the Island show is seen as one of the best in the country. It was lovely to be there and to present some prizes as well.

27 June: Armed Forces Day was hot and sunny. Poor Martin and Guy as Lord Lieutenant and Vice Lord Lieutenant were in their 'blues' which are made of heavy material. I was in my velvet suit, obviously, and was quite cosy in that, though not I think feeling the temperature so much as the men. We met at Ryde Insure Rescue headquarters and from there made our way to the saluting dais. I stood next to the Lord Lieutenant in front of the Vice LL because Martin said that was right and I was delighted because Guy could see over the top of my head. From there Martin took the salute as waves of cadets and veterans, including those in wheelchairs, marched very smartly by. It was moving and splendid. There were then some awards presented by Martin and we had lunch. It was good to see lots of people on the beach who turned away from the sea to watch the parade. It was a good event and I hope encouraged those in uniform.

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25 June: Back to Osborne Middle School for my second visit, this time with the police's FAKE presentation team led by PC Stuart Ross who was sporting plaster on his right arm having broken it in the line of duty, poor chap. The whole school watched some short films showing role play stories of young people illegally and foolishly using weapons, guns and knives. No punches are pulled although the children were warned when the bit in one of the films showed lots of pretend blood following a stabbing, in case they wanted to look away for that bit. Quite a lot of the children said they had ball-bearing guns at home and, worryingly some of these admitted that these guns had been taken off their premises and used in public spaces. They were told very clearly that this was not only potentially very dangerous, but illegal. This must have made some impression as I found out later in the day.

The Pavilion in East Cowes had been spoken of in many circles for some years. Charlie Hancock had got it going with some help from the Hampton Trust while I was still a trustee and it has been very successful. He has a team of people who give generously of their time and many young people have benefited from the time they spend there. There are computers, billiards and snooker, gym machines, which people from the whole community use and with someone to do the training, and the youngsters can be fed and taught to cook. In a not very big site this is an amazing amount of activity. Curiously the skate board park immediately next door is hard used for that purpose these days. So much for fashion. I went down in the early evening and Charlie was very sweetly waiting outside to make sure I found it. Inside were some of the wonderful adults who help and so were some of the Osborne Middle School pupils I had seen that morning. I was delighted to hand a certificate to Ivan Peckham, one of the people who help here, for his contribution to this project. Clearly the Pavilion fills a very particular gap in the local community and there are a number of young people who would not get much attention of nurturing were it not for the Pavilion.

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24 June: This was more of a day out than a shrieval visit. I was off to Hampshire Constabulary at Netley with a bunch of Crimestoppers committee members from Hampshire and David Bull of Medina Housing from the Island. The police took the whole day very seriously and had clearly put a great deal of time in planning it and informing us. We started in the Command and Control Centre where all the 999 phone calls are received and processed. David Bull and I were shown what was going on back on the Island, happily not a lot. We then we over to the old building where we were shown the Scientific Services such as finger print retrieval and reading, making faces from witnesses' descriptions and enhancement of sound, photographs and CCTV film. It was the real life version of what we have all seen so often on the television, but being able to ask questions was great. The finger print retrieval was full of clever ways of finding fingerprints even from the most unpromising surfaces, and the reading of them is clearly very skilful and very successful.

The varying quality of the CCTV films was surprising. Clearly lots of retailers do not feel it is worth spending much money on their systems. Fortunately the clever boys at Netley can find a lot of information from even the poor film, but inevitably there is much more chance of conviction, or even arrest, with better images. The way the computer now helps the police to put a photofit picture from what the witness can remember makes a big difference. It is still a very difficult thing to do and involves the person trying to get the look of the criminal needs to have an understanding of psychology in order to get the best from the witness. We then moved towards lunch and an enchanting Dog Support Unit display, which we all loved. The dogs were 18 months old with one exception that was clearly younger, six months younger in fact. He kept talking to his handler instead of listening to what he was being told to do and was noticeably less mature than the others. I thought wistfully about the amount of training I still need to do with our now one-year-old Labrador bitch. After lunch we were taken to another part of the Netley site where we were introduced to the 'rufty tufty' boys who are called on to break into buildings and similar robust activity. Some of this involved abseiling down from a roof; there was some bashing in of doors in a variety of different ways (quiet and noisy); and entry via windows. We were shown a lot of very nifty equipment and watched two carloads of the boys going off to some kind of exercise, or was it? The last part of our visit was in the Tactical Firearms Unit where we saw a small room full of weapons, both those used when necessary by the police and those which had been confiscated. Included in that group was the inevitably sawn-off shotgun as well as a range of pistols and a gun that was masquerading as a walking stick. It was a terrifically enjoyable day full of fascinating information and we were very lucky to have experienced it.

23 June: The Community Alcohol Partnership, a pilot project with funding for six months, was launched in Sandown Library and I was asked to go and say a few words. I was more than happy to be associated with such a good and sensible project which stands a very good chance of making a difference as to whether people too young to be drinking alcohol at their own inclination are able to get the drinks they want or not. A mixture of agencies and alcohol retailers had gathered to promote this idea and we must all wish it the very best of success.

22 June: The Armed Forces flag was raised on the roof of County Hall a group of the usual suspects were there to witness this at the start of the week remembering what the servicemen and women of this country have done for us all.

20 June: Stephen Palmer had asked me to turn up to the Midsummer Fair in Sts Thomas Square which I happily did. He took me round all the stalls, a mixture of fund raising enterprises and organisations demonstrating greener ways to do things. It seemed to be both popular and successful and well worth attending. I could not stay longer than an hour because I had also agreed to open the Buddies Club in Ryde. This is a club run by parents and other volunteers for children with special needs to get together for a variety of activities and companionship and clearly makes the youngsters in question happy. It was a pleasure to be there to celebrate the start of this splendid club run by such devoted people.

19 June: After an uncomfortably early rising to get us back to the Island promptly at start of play, I went to Ryde with a friend where we saw the Passing Out Parade of a large handful of youngsters who had spent five days being trained as Firemen. This is the Local Intervention Fire Education a.k.a. LIFE course, which takes young people who are giving cause for concern when their behaviour begins to be unacceptable and who get referred by a variety of people including schools and the Police. They are given a strict and challenging week of sometimes scary things to learn to do and if they do not behave appropriately they can get taken off the course, not a good thing to happen. The result was a most touching display of skills newly learned and undertaken with pride. I was asked to hand them their certificates after their mentor Fire and Rescue people who had taken them through the week had described how they had coped with the course. It was a marvellous thing to hear and I was thrilled to have been invited to be part of the ceremony.

That evening, with a big marquee up in our garden, we gave my High Sheriff's Reception to which we invited a cross section of Island people from the Statutory, Voluntary and Private sector. It seemed to go well and David and I certainly enjoyed hosting it.

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18 June: High Sheriffs across England and Wales are invited, every other year, by the Members of the Inner Temple to dine. This year it was our turn. We were invited to attend Evensong beforehand in the Temple Church. This was pure joy as the music was fabulous with a very, very good choir. The Bishop of Oxford came to preach to, for and about the Shrievalty and that was very good to hear too. We then had drinks in the Master's Garden before going across the square to the Reception before dinner in the Inner Temple Hall. The two hosts I was sitting between noted that we High Sheriffs clearly enjoy being together. It was a particularly happy occasion, renewing friendships with HSs up and down the country. Our hosts were fascinating and dined us most generously. It was a very special evening indeed and one which David and I will never forget.

17 June: A visit to Mary Hoather, Head Teacher of Carisbrooke High School, is a very worth while and agreeable experience. After hearing what had been achieved at the school in the past few years I went to visit the various people who operate in the school to be there for students in trouble or distress. This is a good exercise in partnership and clearly manages to head off more serious difficulties in many cases.

That evening was the Annual Meeting of the Council to which we were invited, together with the Lord Lieutenant. Actually I think I should have worn the velvet suit as Martin was resplendent in his blues, but never mind. It was apparently a shorter session than in some previous years, but would have been a tad easier to follow if we had been given the papers to follow. Never mind. It was also the occasion of the Rev. Canon Dr Stephen Palmer's swan song. He has been the Council's Chaplain (as he still is mine) for a few years now but as he is retiring at the end of July this was his last Annual Meeting.

15 June: His Honour Judge Griffiths invited me to sit with him so once again I turned up in the velvet suit and had a most interesting day with him on the bench. It is difficult to describe quite why this is a good thing to do, but I was surprised and pleased that one of the barristers appearing that day expressed his delight to see the High Sheriff continuing to show a presence thereby demonstrating the long link between the Shrievalty and the Law.

13 June: The Island Townswomen's Guild was unable to get to Bath to join the National Townswomen's Guild 80th birthday celebration so they decided to have their own event on the Island. They chose to have a service in St Paul's Church in Shanklin and invited me to join them. The service, led by the Archdeacon Caroline Baston, was a very enjoyable tapestry of hymns and readings as well as prayers and a sermon and some lovely singing by the TG choir. I was so pleased to have been asked to join them and had a good time chatting afterwards over refreshments.

12 June: Sitting with HH Judge Pearson was cancelled because there was not enough work for him to do so I filled the space with two useful meetings, the second of which was with Mandy Sellers and Yvonne Price who address drug and substance abuse on the Island.

11 June: Osborne Middle School hosted a Safer Communities event part of which was a session put on by two Youth Panel magistrates to demonstrate the difference between children being dealt with in court a century ago and what happens now. The two magistrates got children to take part in the role play which made it very clear what a nightmare it would have been for a child to be taken to court. There were other organisations there including the Fire and Rescue Service, Trading Standards, Get Sorted, the Police and people presenting Road Safety issues. It was good to see the children so engaged and I was impressed, while being taken round by Head Teacher John Edney, to see how relaxed the children were, yet how respectful of the teachers. This is a nice tone to be able to set.

10 June: Shanklin Rotary had kindly invited me to have dinner with them and to speak to them afterwards so I rolled up at the Conservative Club in Shanklin and had a very jolly evening. They were a kind audience and even asked questions afterwards.

9 June: St Catherine's School is a most special place where children and young people with a variety of special needs seem to thrive. I had a fascinating and happy time being taken round the school and introduced to staff and students alike, finishing up with joining three young teenage girls for lunch. The school makes the most of a difficult site in Ventnor, perched like the rest of the town on the steep slope facing the sea. The building had started as a hospital, largely for consumptives as they used to be called and had then been a convent and parts of it are very Victorian. The school also has two of the villas the other side of the road. I hugely enjoyed my visit.

The next engagement was to another school, this time Christ the King College in Carisbrooke where head teacher Mrs Pat Goodhead explained about the joining of the Roman Catholic and Anglican middle schools and how successful this had been. I asked her if there could be a competition to produce my Christmas card for this year, something I had noticed another HS on the mainland had done.

8 June: Bishop Kenneth Stevenson had recently announced his retirement and a few past Island High Sheriffs had arranged a farewell lunch party for Kenneth and Sarah, his wife, at the Royal Solent Yacht Club in Yarmouth. The Stevensons had always had a close relationship with the HSs on the Island and I realised how strong the bond was at the party. They will be missed.

7 June: The Duke of Edinburgh flew into Norton Grange in a smart maroon coloured helicopter where the Lord Lieutenant presented him to Fiona White, the Chairman of the Council Arthur Taylor and Doreen Taylor and David and me. HRH commented that I certainly looked the part of High Sheriff (that's good then), asked if I was busy then asked David if we had got close to divorce proceedings yet. I wonder what he has heard about High Sheriffs. What followed was the 50th Anniversary Drumhead Service of the Duke of Edinburgh's Royal Regiment (an amalgamation of the Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiments). We had some good singable hymns to the accompaniment of the Band of the Corps of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and the old (well some of them were) soldiers marched passed incredibly briskly and smartly after His Royal Highness had spoken to us. Lunch followed and the departure of the Duke who was waved off enthusiastically. The flight mechanic, or whoever it is that waves the ping-pong bats to give instruction about taking off, was dressed more like a butler than usual. Altogether it was a very pleasing occasion.

There was time to go to tea with the Griffins at their farm open to the public for Open Farm Sunday. Unfortunately we missed the farm walk and the milking but arrived in time for a delicious cream tea.

6 June: The Isle of Wight Railway Company launched their 'Strategic Vision' at Havenstreet Railway and while they were at it took a train-load of us, including our hosts, up and down the line to Ashey Junction, where we got out and listened to some interesting facts about what they had managed to do so far and very encouraging words from a representative of South West Rail. Back at Havenstreet we heard more of the 'Strategic Vision' which really is most impressive. Clearly the Board of Directors is a dynamic bunch of enthusiasts. The Lord Lieutenant congratulated them on their activity and, while the others had lunch, I nipped off to my next engagement.

Downstream of Newport on the Medina is to be found a dear little Victorian building which is the home of the Newport Rowing Club. I had been invited to hand out the prizes following their Regatta. I arrived in time to see some of the races which I was able to see from a much better position than I ever had at Henley. This is a club with some past, having been started at the beginning of the 20th Century and still going strong. What a pity Medina High School, the other side of the river, does not take advantage of the rowing available so close.

5 June: Richard Priest had invited me to visit the Riverside Centre and do the honours in opening a new office for a group of people there to make life better and easier for the users of the Riverside Centre. The room was far from commodious, but those to be sharing it were very positive and I am sure it will work splendidly. The three organisations in question are the Autistic Society, the Stroke Club and Blue Sky Arts. Shirley Ballard, the Town Cryer from Godshill was also there doing her bit in her smart uniform.

Straight after this I dashed up to St Mary's Hospital to hear about the Square to Square fundraising efforts of some members of the Isle of Wight's noble Fire Brigade who cycled from St Thomas Square here to Rome and raised an enormous amount of money to buy a thorascope machine. It was very good to hear the boys who had done the cycling singing the praises of their support team.

In the evening David joined me on a visit to the Shanklin Youth Club, another of Richard Priest's enterprises. There is a large group of volunteers busy making sure the young people using the facility have a good, safe time. The kids were wearing wonderful clothes and clearly having a great time.

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4 June: The Foyer in Ryde is in a splendid purpose-built building which makes such a difference to how it operates. The new Manager, Rachel Jagger-Thomas was already pretty well up to speed though it was her first week here. She and Sarah took me round and explained the variety of ways the Foyer offers support to the young people who stay there. What a pity it is that some employers who see the address of someone temporarily staying at the Foyer do not want to give the job seeker an interview. I was told that the same person did better using another address.

3 June: This was a day I had been looking forward to as it was the date for another Citizenship Ceremony at Northwood House, this time with Deputy Lieutenant Patricia Patridge on her maiden voyage as part of the ceremony and Arthur Taylor as before. Today the group was quite small, only seven new citizens, but as special as ever. However, because there were not many it was over soon enough for me to get to the opening of the new Princess Beatrice Garden at Carisbrooke. As a garden designer I was obviously keen to see this, having been shown the plans some time earlier. English Heritage had commissioned Chris Beardshaw to design the new garden and he told the assembled company what his brief had been. He also mentioned the restrictions which included not being able to change the soil, not using water and not being able to shoot the rabbits. Quite a tall order which he was well up to coping with as the new garden ably demonstrates. It is going to be marvellous when a bit more mature and is already very good.

1 and 2 June: I wanted to meet the other part of Catch22 so visited Rebecca Selby in her office in Newport one day and Beck Dabscheck from the London office who was visiting the Island the following day. Rebecca explained how they get a number of sources of referral to visit children and young people who are beginning to get into trouble in their homes. This enables them to take a more holistic approach than is often possible by meeting the families and offering help and support to them all. Impressive work making a real difference.

May

31 May: My next church to visit was the United Reform Church in Shanklin. What a very happy morning this turned out to be. The welcome was delightful and so was the service, full of music and balloons, on which we wrote prayers then pushed them on to others in the congregation.

30 May: Sir Barry Cunliffe gave a first rate lecture for the Isle of Wight Historical Association who were kind enough to invite David and me to the event. The lecture was on recent digging work at Brading Roman Villa and took place in the Minster. It was another very good use for the Minster and all the technical aids were working well.

24 May: Holy Trinity Bembridge was my next parish to visit. Andrew Menniss has a large and enthusiastic congregation who were most welcoming on this rather special day. It was the weekend of the Bembridge Festival so the church was full of flowers celebrating the Festival of Festivals. It was delightful, as was having coffee afterwards with some of the congregation. As the rain came later in the day it was set to be a good day for the Festival.

23 May: Today was the occasion for an unusual presentation. On the instruction of HH Judge Griffiths, Mr Jason Stevenson was to be paid £250 in recognition of his bravery in apprehending a violent man who had already 'glassed' someone's face in a pub. Those of us at the small gathering outside the Court House in Newport heard how Jason had dealt with the situation and were all impressed at his tenacity.

22 May: High Sheriffs tend to concentrate on the Crown Court and sitting with judges, but I was interested to know more about the Magistrates’ Court. To that end Steve Howe, Chairman of the Magistrates' Bench, very kindly spent the morning with me behind the scenes before the courts started work and then at the back of them as observers once they were in business. I suspect that not everyone realises that Justices of the Peace undertake this role voluntarily. It involves a good deal of training these days when there are now so many new rules about how justice must be handed out. They only get out of pocket expenses and do a splendid job dealing with everything from the very straightforward uncontested cases to tricky and complex trials, not all of which they send on to the judges courts.

The Street Pastors had their Commissioning Service in the Methodist Church in Ryde in the evening. An extraordinarily gifted and inspirational man called David Ouston had put together a team of 18 people who were trained to go out into the streets of Ryde to be there for those in trouble, particularly the drunken ones, each Friday. This initiative has been very successful in reducing crime, including violence, wherever it is working on the mainland and Chief Superintendent Dave Thomas said it is probably the single most important project from his point of view this year. I whole-heartedly concur and was thrilled and not a little surprised to be asked by David Ouston to make a contribution to the ceremony. Archdeacon Caroline Baston anointed the Street Pastors who were starting their mission that evening and all their support people. They are all from churches on the Island, but are specifically not allowed to preach to those people they come across in their work. We need more groups and I think this will happen, in time, right across the Island.

21 May: David joined me in an evening of awards and presentations to and by those who have been involved in the Isle of Wight Young Chamber of Commerce enterprises. It is so good that schools encourage their students to do this kind of activity as it will help them greatly when they are in a position to earn money as adults. We were also treated to a very engaging talk by Rhys Jones who, at the age of 20, is the youngest person to have stood on the summit of the highest mountains on each continent. It was an aspirational evening and we came away delighted at the experience so many of our young people have shared in.

19 May: Councillor Michael Woodhall, the Chairman of Hampshire County Council, invited me to join his visit, including Councillor Arthur Taylor and Doreen Taylor to USKA in Cowes. Jon Ely the Chief Executive gave us a presentation on what they do there. It seems to be a very successful enterprise and is encouragingly recognised as such by lots of organisations from schools to commercial companies and offers a stimulating and life-enhancing experience to all sorts of youngsters whether they have problems or not. As we arrived I noticed that everyone who passed us in the Reception area smiled at us. Now that is unusual.

I couldn't join them for lunch because David and I were giving HH Judge John Dixon lunch before I sat with him that afternoon. Interesting case which will be reported in the County Press.

17 May: My next parish visit was to Brook where I found the Reverend Malcolm Williams and some of my friends. There is a new, technically brilliant and quietly beautiful memorial to those who died in the plane crash on 15th November 1957. The church is a fine Victorian replacement, thanks to the Seely family, of an earlier building that was destroyed by fire.

Bit of a dash home to change into something more suitable than the smart day clothes I had been asked to wear to the Walk the Wight arrival point at Carisbrooke. Bit more of a dash to get there at the time I was bidden because there were road blocks all around and I was too much of a wuss to go through them until David Whittaker told me to. Those walking will remember how horrid the weather was with a bitterly cold wind which flung quantities of rain at anyone outside from time to time. Those arriving from the East Wight were very muddy and damp and some were quite dispirited. However, the small gang of us giving out medals were impressed by the amounts of money many walkers had raised for the Hospice through determination and effort. Congratulations to all those who made it that far and even more congratulations to those who made it all the way to Alum Bay.

16 May: The Campaign to Protect Rural England had its AGM at the Botanic Gardens in Ventnor and kindly invited me to give out awards before listening to the National Chief Executive Shaun Spiers give a first rate and wonderfully accurately timed address. Those winning the awards were delighted and also surprised to have been chosen. The overall winner was Wight Salads Group for managing to keep the large amount of lighting needed for their operation from being seen from outside the growing houses, next came IW Council for their lighting of the Guildhall in Newport. Sandown Health Centre was commended for their car park lighting and Ventnor’s Ocean View Fish and Chip Shop was commended for the shop front lighting.

In the afternoon I put on the velvet suit and trimmings. This was a special concession to the children at Beaulieu House Respite Centre where I was invited to join their celebrations of the fourth anniversary of HM the Queen opening the new building. The purpose-built facility is there to offer respite care for children with special needs until they are 18 years old. The staff I spoke to were inspirational and I was enormously impressed by the work that goes on there. There is also a strong group of parents who tirelessly raise funds for extra items. It was a lovely party with cake and Randini. Who could ask for more?

14 May: I spent the morning meeting the staff who work behind the scenes in the Courts. Emma Petty, the Court Manager in Newport introduced me to everyone working in the office and I was struck by the strong team feeling in evidence. This is a small team compared to similar offices on the mainland covering both criminal and civic work and they expect to cover for each other even when their field of operation is different. The results are obviously better target hitting and a more effective group of workers. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting them.

Upper Ventnor is properly called Lowtherville and this is where I went to see how the RCC's Rural Services Officer Philippa Daley runs the Community Advice Network. This is where, typically in a village hall or similar venue, a number of organisations have stands and local people can come to find out about things like applying for benefits, services available to the blind, Family Learning, Trading Standards and others. This is a brilliant idea which gives the local population the chance to find out about organisations under one roof. I do hope people get to hear about this splendid service and make good use of it. I was lucky enough to hear about the work of several of the stallholders and was very impressed by what their work involves.

13 May: David Ouston came to see me to tell me about the Street Pastors scheme which has recently started in Ryde. This involves carefully selected and trained volunteers to be around the streets to be on hand for young people heading for trouble or feeling they are already in it. It is emphatically not a proselytising situation, but people prepared to listen to the worries of the young people on the streets late in the evening. The scheme is being commissioned at Ryde Methodist church at 7.30 on Friday 22nd May. I can see everywhere on the Island wanting a Street Pastor scheme as soon as possible.

12 May: Back to Portsmouth, this time already changed into the velvet suit and hat, and in the company of Councillor Arthur Taylor and his wife Doreen. We were off to the Election of the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, a very splendid occasion in the Guildhall. Portsmouth takes this event very seriously and I was duly impressed. It was good going with the Taylors because they had been before and knew the ropes.

11 May: Stephen Palmer, my chaplain, came with me in our best bibs and tuckers to the Portsmouth Legal Service in Portsmouth Cathedral. Stephen robed in the Canons Vestry, because he can, but I joined a number of judges, mostly male, in a very big room in Cathedral House. Fortunately none of us seemed to mind about changing in this unisex environment, we just got on with it. We then processed, I with Dr Clare Bartlett the High Sheriff of Hampshire, into the Cathedral where the service was hugely embellished by the choir's contribution. We even heard the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah, what a treat.

10 May: This Sunday David came with me to mass at the Roman Catholic church of St Thomas of Canterbury in Pyle Street, Newport where Father Gerard Flynn is in charge and kindly put us in the charge of Paul Lake to guide us through the service. The building is particularly interesting as the first purpose-built Roman Catholic church in the country since the Reformation. It was deliberately built to look like a non-conformist church so as not to attract uncomfortable attention. Inside it is less plain and very charming indeed. We very much enjoyed the service too.

9 May: I was delighted to be invited back to Pan, this time to present the prizes after games on the new(ish) Multi Use Games Area. The event was run by Kerry Gulliver and I was very interested to see the MUGA in use as this is what Wroxall is busy raising money to put in. I was also shown the inside of the Isabelle Centre, named for a medieval owner of the Island, Isabella de Fortibus.

In the evening David and I went to Medina Theatre where we heard a concert by lots of groups of young musicians. Such a lot of people have to put their shoulders to this wheel and to enormously good effect. It was wonderful to hear such talent play. I look forward to the next opportunity to go to an Isle of Wight Music Centre concert.

8 May: Meeting with Cheryl Snudden where I heard more about the work being done in Pan Estate. This seems to be an admirable example of how effective interagency working makes the job both easier and much more effective.

In the afternoon the RCC put on their Voluntary Sector Forum at the Riverside Centre. Apart from having a general interest in the various voluntary organisations there, it was a very useful chance to hear about events I might have otherwise missed.

7 May: Tesni Challis puts on the newly badged Catch 22 for youngsters who have already seen the inside of police stations and need to be diverted from making a habit of doing so. With the help of volunteers, carefully chosen and trained, Catch 22 (which used to be known as Rainer React) arranges such activity as painting a fence very decoratively to get rid of the disfiguring graffiti. Catch 22 is into restorative work so that, when the crime's victim is prepared to join in, the miscreant is given the opportunity to meet the victim and get a proper sense of the other side of the crime. The miscreants may be called upon to undertake up to 10 hours of reparation.

6 May: Having had my sitting with Judge Hetherington the day before cancelled because his programme had had to be changed I had some more time available to continue setting up meetings. Today was my first experience as one of those taking an active part in a Citizenship ceremony at Northwood House. Previously I had gone as an observer and found these occasions to be impressive and, for me, very moving. On this occasion the Lord Lieutenant was the main man and Councillor Arthur Taylor and I made up the line of those giving out the certificates to the people becoming fully-fledged citizens of the United Kingdom. This is a day for the Lord Lieutenant to wear his blues so I wore my velvet suit with feathered hat and the usual 'gong'. Unfortunately all this splendour gave the impression to one young man, smartly dressed in a sports jacket and only 4 summers old, that I was the Queen. The Lord Lieutenant had earlier captivated some of the new young citizens with his spurs. The 4 year old's mother did tell him that I was the High Sheriff, but clearly he thought that was unlikely as I had neither spurs nor revolvers, and what sheriff wears feathers in the hat?

The Fire and Rescue Community Safety Prevention team gave me most of the afternoon telling me the range of prevention initiatives they are involved with. I am afraid I did not realise how far from fire fighting this service goes and to enormously good effect. Geoff Walls, Martin Poynter and Matt Arnell explained about their work with youngsters particularly in the LIFE programme (Local Intervention and Fire Education). This involves the 9 to 16 year olds referred to the scheme by those concerned about where they are heading from the point of view of Trouble and offers them a week of training in the business of being firemen (of both sexes obviously). The fire boys have even got scaled down uniforms to put the youngsters in for the week. This is a demanding experience for the young people who have to behave to properly exacting standards and can be taken off the course if they fall too far short. It is also a demanding experience for those putting on the course. I was full of admiration for the hard work and persistence of the men doing the training and, while they are doing it, providing an often much needed role model. I fully intend to go and see how these courses go. Another piece of wonderfully focussed work going on to make me proud to be part of the community.

3 May: The next parish to visit was Shalfleet where I was warmly greeted by the two churchwardens to that dear and venerable building. This was matins, a service that has to be tracked down these days. David Bevington, the Rector, was preaching that Sunday too, so I had got my ducks all lined up. After the service I was lucky enough to chat to quite a few of the congregation, and I took the opportunity to visit the grave of a dear old friend, Anthea Sutherland.

2 May: The Girl Guides' South West Region had its Annual Review Day at Cowes Yacht Haven. With my friend Ann Taylor I went for the afternoon to hear what they had been up to during the last 12 months. We were met by some charming Brownies who were kind enough to pin our name labels to our lapels and then escort us into the hall to find a grown up. We were fascinated to discover the range of activities Guides, Brownies and Rainbows get up to and hugely impressed by the dedication of the guiders who enable these activities to take place by giving up their time and energies to be with the girls hither and thither. We were treated to some excellent singing as well. The Lord Lieutenant was there too, clearly of the opinion that this is an organisation well worth his support. I was there for exactly the same reason and was proud to be wearing my Ambassador’s badge.

April

29 April: Now that the three Island prisons have been brought under one Governor things are different, but Governor Barry Greenberry and his Deputy Ian Young are enthusiastically pulling the new arrangements together. If anyone can do this they can. They make a most impressive team, full of energy and dynamism and I came away from our meeting feeling positively elated. As it happens I had visited all three prisons years ago in a variety of roles so did not go round any of them on this occasion, but it did mean that I understood much of what the two men were describing. I look forward to going back later in my year.

At East Dene in Bonchurch Denea Wright and her team give school children a week out of the classroom when they visit this big old mansion for the kinds of activities they are unlikely to have experienced elsewhere. Denea is dedicated to what she does and I loved hearing about the scheme which must make a big impression on both the children and the teachers who accompany them. Families with Aspergers and Austistic children also come for a stay in this splendid place and get some support and respite from the skilled staff. This is also a business and has to be run in such a way that the roof stays on this old, listed building so, during the school holidays it becomes a venue for weddings and other larger parties. It was a very special visit which I shall not forget.

The Isle of Wight Youth Trust celebrated its 25th anniversary at the Quay Arts Centre with about 60 guests including the Lord Lieutenant and the Minghellas. I was asked to make a speech, as were several other people. The late Christine Baksi’s son John was there and told us his feelings about the celebrations and how thrilled his mother would have been to see how well the Trust has done in its first 25 years. Certainly the Chief Executive Eileen Monks’ energy has a lot to do with this success and there is a strong Board of Trustees.

[click images above for larger versions]

28 April: Another day of meetings and we gave a dinner party for one of the judges who comes over to the Island to sit, HH Judge Longbotham, with whom I had sat the previous Monday.

27 April: The first invitation I received before being in office was from the Shanklin Rifle and Shotgun Club and I went to join them for their AGM and prizegiving. There were a very large number of trophies to be presented some too old and fragile to be handled by anyone other than the retiring Secretary. It was impressive to learn how much effort had gone into the winning of these trophies. My experience of shooting anything is quite disreputable and arose from my late father’s collection of three hand guns which he kept from the war (WW2 obviously). He taught my brother and I to shoot at leaves in the compost heap. Having no other personal story to tell the assembled company I related this one and they were kind enough to smile, though they knew how shocking the story was. My mother handed the pistols into the police during one of the amnesties some years ago. One of the pistols was actually loaded! Anyway, in a much more appropriate way I was allowed to have a go with an air rifle and air pistol. Apparently Alan T was better with the pistol than I was. Probably his wrist is stronger. It was great fun anyway.

26 April: I visited Holy Trinity in Cowes as the next church on my visit to parishes all round the Island. The Vicar was not preaching as he was in the band playing for this particular service. After the service I was able to meet some of the congregation over coffee which was both interesting and enjoyable.

I then went back to Northwood Park where the classic motorcars and motorbikes had joined the wide variety of things to see. For those of us interested in cars it was great fun looking at some remembered from our childhoods and even one model I had had myself. This event is so important to the life of the Island and especially Cowes. The Rotarians are to be congratulated in putting it on again despite the hard work and great effort it has taken. Let us hope the finances do not prevent it happening again next year.

25 April: Fishbourne Sailability has managed in a very short space of time to raise enough money to buy a boat to get people in wheelchairs afloat. I was very honoured and very delighted to be asked to name the ship, Dougal. It was a very happy occasion at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club with lunch and speeches. I even came away with a beautiful bunch of flowers, which I don’t think I deserved, but greatly appreciated. I look forward to going back later in the year to see how Dougal is performing.

Cowes Rotary has put on another excellent two-day event, free for all the family in Northwood Park. They have had help, support and collaboration from other people notably the Cowes Carnival Committee and the whole event had a happy and relaxed feel to it. You only get that when the organisation is good. I was delighted to be able to present the trophy to the winning Bowling team that afternoon. That is some piece of grass!

Pan Together is another energetic group of people who are definitely making a difference. They kindly invited me to their Fashion Show in the evening at Downside School. A most impressive line up of models of all ages entertained us, as did a group of belly dancers who danced for us. Most of us had never seen this in real life and it was very impressive.

24 April: Cowes Rotary put on another of their very successful concerts in Cowes Yacht Haven. We were treated to the Central Band of the Royal British Legion whose conductor Mr Cole was a star performer. The music included a wide mixture from Handel to the Beatles and went down a storm with a big audience. I had not expected to be asked to speak but as I had just been sent an email about wearing something red on Fridays to support and encourage our soldiers, I passed on a story about that. I shall be doing my best to remember Red Fridays.

23 April: John Graney has won the competition to design a new flag for the Isle of Wight and I watched him raise it on one of the flagstaffs on the Council roof. I now have to work out how to fly the small size of this splendid flag on my car.

Anne Springman gave a launch party at Shanklin Chine for a very interesting exhibition about Aviation on the Island. Christopher Bland, a past Island Lord Lieutenant, made the speech to open the exhibition. This is a must for anyone interested in aeroplanes.

20 April: High Sheriffs traditionally sit with judges, in the past taking their trumpeters into court with them. I went into the Crown Court in Newport quite quietly with His Honour Judge Longbotham and had a very interesting and fairly mixed day on the bench.

Apart from the specific engagements I have continued to meet the people particularly involved in working with and for young people. So far I have met:

Isle of Wight Youth Trust
Police
Probation
The Archdeacon
Victim Support
Youth Offending Team
Simon Dear
The Hampton Trust
Steve Beynon
David Pugh
The Dean of Portsmouth Cathedral

There are many more people and organisations I shall be seeing before long. It is encouraging to discover what splendid work is being done to engage our young people.

19 April: I want to go to as many churches of all kinds that I can this year and started with Bonchurch where I was given a kind and wonderfully warm welcome. It is a special building and those who worship in it clearly cherish it. It was a very happy occasion.

17 April: I went to Ventnor and a group of people involved in putting together an excellent project to provide activity for youngsters in Wroxall. It is a very good scheme and I very much hope that they manage to secure the funding they need for it. The High Sheriffs' Trust has made a donation. I then went to Café 34 which is run by Ventnor Together for young people from the age of 12 to 18, possibly 17 I am not sure, and met some of the customers. It is a very relaxed place that gives somewhere for young people to meet safely. The High Sheriffs' Trust gave it some money last year and Alan Titchmarsh gave the project an Award.

16 April: The Duke of Kent came to the Island to visit the Cowes Lifeboat station and some of the usual suspects were invited to meet him. David and I arrived in good time to find a larger than usual number of men in suits on the pavement so we knew we had arrived at the right place. Soon there were quite a few of us in our best bibs and chains of office awaiting His Royal Highness. Unfortunately his helicopter was not running as it should so, while those responsible for getting the royal passenger down to the Island caste about for another helicopter, or plan, it was decided that the civic line up would not happen after all. All dressed up and no-one to meet. Never mind. After all the main point of the Duke's visit was not to meet people with chains round their necks. As it happens, Steve Beynon, the Council's Chief Executive was there too and while we were waiting we decided to have the meeting on the pavement that we had planned to have at 8.30 am the next day.

06 April: At 10.25 am a small procession of John Matthews the Under Sheriff, Alan Titchmarsh the out-going High Sheriff, my son and Sword Bearer Piers Edwards, me, Stephen Palmer my Chaplain, Steve Howe chairman of the Magistrates Bench, His Honour Judge Gareth Cowling and the Lord Lieutenant Major General Martin White made our sedate way across Sts Thomas Square from the Charter House to the west end of the Minster. We had the delight of entering the porch of the Minster through a guard of honour of guides, brownies and rainbows who had very kindly assembled. That was an unlooked-for pleasure. The Archdeacon, Caroline Baston then made us welcome to the Minster. You cannot just walk in when you are a procession and the Vicar was in the procession so he could not welcome us. How fortunate it was therefore that Caroline did the job, and so splendidly too.

[click images above for larger versions]

We had some photographs taken in the porch, both for the County Press and some personal ones taken by Gretl Lewis, before entering the building for the first Declaration made there by a High Sheriff. The ceremony was the same as it would have been had it been in court, but those assembled to witness it were not short of space as they have been in recent years in court. Although we did begin with two prayers from the Chaplain, this was essentially a civil ceremony, not a service.

Everything went well until I was about a third of my way into the Declaration when I realised that I must have lost one of my contact lenses and in the not very bright light of the church I knew I was struggling to see what I was reading. I stopped to get out my spectacles to the consternation of my supporters' club who had not quite understood what the problem was. My husband wondered if I was going to faint and was bothered that he could not get to me to help. Once the glasses were on my nose the rest followed smoothly and easily. Alan Titchmarsh, still High Sheriff until my Declaration had been made, put the Badge of Office round my neck and the deed was done. John Matthews then made his Declaration as Under Sheriff, Judge Cowling made some kind remarks and after a lot of signing of documents the ceremony came to a conclusion with the procession leaving the Minster and making its way to the Parish Centre, accompanied by PC Pearson, for a reception.

My husband David and I later gave lunch to twenty people at the Newclose Cricket Club on the Blackwater Road. The main room in that building is extremely comfortable and the view from it perfection. It is going to be a splendid addition to the lives of the Island's cricket lovers.

First Event as High Sheriff
After such an important day in my life I had been invited to the perfect evening entertainment. We went to Medina Theatre for the premiere of the film made by a group of enthusiasts on a shoe-string of a budget. This is a DVD telling the story of 1000 years of the Castle and is a great success. It was written by Felicity Fair Thompson, a lecturer at our College, and shot by David Banks. David and I loved it and it was a very good event for a brand new High Sheriff as it was only a walk-on part and all I had to do was enjoy it. No problem there then.

The rest of the week
As it happens my diary has lots of entries in it for a bit later in the month, so I have been able to continue meeting people who might find my help useful in their work with young people. I have met policemen, probation officers, social workers and those running voluntary bodies, but all of who are working towards keeping our children and young people out of trouble. I shall continue with this all year long.

It is a very happy feeling to be surrounded by so much goodwill and so many good wishes. I am determined to do what I can to help the way of life on the Island be just a tad better by the end of my year in office.

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