High Sheriff of Bedfordshire’s Diary
Events attended by the High Sheriff of Bedfordshire in July 2022
Bedford River Festival
A wonderful day at Bedford River festival, highlighting the beautiful River great Ouse and all the longboats, pleasure boats as well as the emergency services of Bedfordshire. There were food and drink stalls galore!
Ghanaian Paralympians welcomed to Luton
I was honoured to be invited by Luton Mayor and Council to a reception they hosted for the Ghanaian Para Olympian team at Luton Town Hall, with @LLieutenantBeds and @SueLousada who takes over from Helen Nellis in September. A very happy occasion for all !
Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation
Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation (BLCF) is the leading local grantmaker in the county. They are passionate about improving the lives of people in Bedfordshire and Luton and are known for their ground-breaking initiatives, for their investment in supporting local charities and for their deep relationships with grassroots groups in their area.
Bedford River Festival
Bedford River Festival Tree project @BedsVeru Advan tackle violence and the exploitation of children and other vulnerable people in Bedfordshire. David Surridge BYOS and Sarah Riddy from Link to Change had an excellent highly visible spot on Embankment.
Queens Award for Voluntary Organisations to Biggleswade Good Neighbours
Dr Erica Borgstrom received the very prestigious Queens Award for Voluntary Services from @LLieutenantBeds on behalf of Biggleswade Good Neighbours. They are truly inspiring for all the great things they have been doing for years but especially during the pandemic.
Tour of Bedford Borough’s Initiatives.
Huge thanks to @DaveTheMayor for a fascinating tour of Bedford Borough highlighting all their great new initiatives. Coffee in the recently opened up square behind the Shire Hall with river views. Handsome housing developments with lots of trees and open spaces for children.
Kings Arms Project, English Club Awards Ceremony
An award was given to refugee women mostly from Afghanistan, who came together to meet each other and learn to speak English. The children are looked after in a crèche. Thanks to wonderful volunteers! The mothers looked amazing in their best saris.
Bedfordshire University Graduation
Students from the Faculty of Education, English & Sport celebrated their achievements with family, friends and University staff in the first Civic Ceremony held in the town since 2019. Local dignitaries from Bedfordshire joined academic staff and the Vice Chancellor in taking part in a small Civic procession to the Corn Exchange.
High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire’s Garden Party
I attended this delightful event celebrating Cambridgeshire’s volunteers with the Korean born High Sheriff, Mrs Jennifer Compton.
Queens Award for Voluntary Organisations to Safer Luton Partnerships
I was delighted to be at the extremely prestigious Queens Award for Volunteers given to Joan Bailey DL and her volunteers at Safer Luton Partnerships by @LLieutenantBeds for their amazing work in the community. She stressed the diversity of the group in every way. Truly humbling!
Bedfordshire Games
Joyous day enjoying Bedfordshire Games, Athletics for those with learning difficulties at Bedford Athletics stadium. I presented medals with Bedfordshire’s Mayors and @LLieutenantBeds dancing to the sound of the drums together with some of the competitors. Welcome to Sue Lousada LL in waiting!
High Sheriff of Norfolk’s Garden Party
At delightful garden party of Norfolk’s High Sheriff, David MacLeavy Hill celebrating all the wonderful charities who do so much for their county. Perfect summer weather thank you!
Beating the Retreat
A great Beating the Retreat at Howbury Hall in aid of Benevolent Fund charities . Thanks to Julian Polhill for having it in his garden and @LLieutenantBeds Helen Nellis for hosting it. @BAB_Colchester Colchester brass band played and marched superbly.
Kenyans in Luton
A happy day amongst the Kenyans in Luton at their barbecue and sports family fun day organised by Sally Grant and her team in the lovely sunshine at Foxdale primary school. Delicious Kenyan food served. Swapped stories about Kenya!
AmpGala
A fabulous sunny day for the Ampthill Gala. Ampthill Mayor, Jake Bishop and I judged the children’s floats from The Firs Junior school and Russell Primary and joined the procession in classic convertibles! Also Brazilian drummers, dancers in a lot of feathers and stilt walkers.