High Sheriff of Bedfordshire’s Diary

Events attended by the High Sheriff of Bedfordshire in May 2022


Walk the Walk, Start the Talk – High Sheriff’s Outdoor Networking Event.

4 days of of Walk the Walk, Start the Talk, (Leighton Buzzard to Mauldon Woods) an outdoor networking event walking the 43miles of Greensand Ridge over 5 days. Today’s theme was Greenspaces. The Greensand Trust generously laid on a fabulous spread at Rushmere Country Park.
Thank you to all 23 of you who joined me, Tim & Pandora (organiser) of “Walk the Walk, Start the Talk”, outdoor networking event across the Greensand Ridge. From The Globe Leighton Buzzard, via refreshments and Herons nesting at Rushmere Country Park, finally to Woburn.


Mayor of Bedford’s Civic Service

A lovely Civic service for the Platinum jubilee with Mayor Dave Hodgson at St Pauls Bedford. Father Kevin Goss officiated and Bishop Richard preached an excellent sermon. Rousing hymns and a recital from the Koran by the Imam Mynal Islam.


Marston Vale Middle School, Stewartby

Thank you Estelle Jennings and your fabulous staff and pupils for showing me round your great school on sunny jubilee day. Amazing cake baking & poetry competitions, 1950s style sports plus tree planting.Congratulations!


HMP Bedford Awards

I was very honoured to have been asked to present the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee medal to the officers of Bedford Prison, for their wonderful work in challenging and sometimes dangerous circumstances, and who have completed more than five years, sometimes as much as thirty.


Lord Lieutenants’s Platinum Jubilee Service

The incomparable Lord Lieutenant Helen Nellis had her last service before her retirement at St Mary’s Luton to celebrate HM the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The theme was “Serving the Community” and many Bedfordshire charities were represented. To watch the service please click


Citizens Ceremony watching Lord Lieutenant in Ampthill

Citizenship Ceremonies take place in registry offices in two locations in the county, namely, Ampthill and Luton. At each ceremony somewhere between 10 and 20 people are granted British Citizenship. The Lord Lieutenant, her Deputies, the High Sheriff or the Town Mayor officiate, supported by the Registrar.

A moving Citizenship Ceremony with the Lord Lieutenant at Ampthill Court. It was lovely to see so many happy people taking their oath; hailing from Lithuania to Cameroon, from Jamaica to Zimbabwe. Welcome to you all!


Big Noah Sleep Out

The BIG NOAH Sleepout raised a fantastic £11,412 to help fund our vital services, which will help local people who are homelessness and rough sleeping.


Tour of Luton with David Jonathan (Johny) of Grassroots

Gurdwara Building

Delighted to visit @GngLuton with @gurchrandhawa & see the fabulous new Gurdwara building & meet amazing #sikh#volunteers who run #lutonsikhsoupkitchen every Sunday outside Luton Town Hall – serving the hungry from all ethnic & faith backgrounds

Medina Mosque

A fascinating morning spent with the famous ‘Johny ‘ of #Grassroots and Luton #Council of Faiths, visiting Bury Park, Luton. Here we are at the Medina Mosque with Mr Maqsood Anwar, where I was presented with the new English translation of the Quran.

Church of God in Christ

Next stop the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) with the charismatic and energetic elder, Mr Everton Blake. We were shown the baptismal pool for baptism by total immersion which can take place from childhood on. The newly restored Art Deco former cinema makes a magnificent church.

Shri Guru Ravidass Sangat

Also on my day out with the wonderful Johny in Luton Council of Faiths, we visited the Shri Guru Ravidass Sangat and were shown round by Sanjiv Kumar MBE. We saw the enormous catering kitchen used by volunteers to feed the poor as well as the large temple room with the shrine.

Discover Islam

After a delicious lunch at A-One Dosa, a South Indian restaurant in Bury park we dropped in on “Discover Islam” where we met the delightful Ms Gulseema Bali-Khan. She showed us the fantastic work they are doing providing food parcels and clothes, all freely given to anyone.


Dunstable Mayoral Making

At the Annual Meeting of Dunstable Town Council on Monday 16 May 2022, held at the Dunstable Conference Centre, Councillor Liz Jones was elected as Dunstable Town Mayor by fellow Councillors. This is the sixth time somebody from her family has held this prestigious role across three generations. Cllr. Jones will be supported by her husband Iain, and the newly appointed Deputy Town Mayor, Cllr. Lisa Bird.

Her Mayoral year, which will run until May 2023, will focus on recognising those who give time to others, and bringing the community together. The Mayor will be raising money for several charities by holding events throughout the year. Her chosen charities include Hospice at Home Volunteers, Dunstable Salvation Army, and Disability Resource Centre.


Leighton-Linslade Town Council Civic Service

Leighton-Linslade Town Council Civic service at impressive All Saints Leighton Buzzard hosted Town Mayor Cllr Farzana Kharawala. Congratulations on being re-elected.


Red Cross Platinum Jubilee Tree Planting

An amazing celebration for the Queens Platinum Jubilee with tree planting by HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire , Helen Nellis and the High Sheriff of Bedfordshire, Lady Jane Clifford with a fantastic garden tour by our landscape garden designer Matt George, followed by an amazing presentation by head of millinery Awon Golding from Lock & Co ( the oldest hat shop in the world) who designs hats for the Royals such as the Duchess of Cambridge. All in support of the incredible British Red Cross Bedfordshire 


FDAC – Family drug and alcohol court

The FDAC helps families where children are put at risk by parental substance misuse. FDAC is a problem-solving court where the same judge reviews the case every fortnight and is supported by an independent multi-disciplinary intervention team.

FDAC work focuses on the parents while keeping the child central. Parents are given ‘a trial for change’ that provides them with the best possible chance to overcome their problems. At the same time FDAC tests whether the family can make enough change in a timescale compatible with the children’s needs.


Other Events include:

Judges’ Dinner – to entertain visiting Judges

Central Beds Civic Service for Platinum Jubilee

Meeting CSR KIER

High Sheriffs’ Association – Visit to the Old Bailey