Luton Irish Forum hosting an event for the Gypsy Traveller Month

It was an event held at the prison by the Luton Irish Forum, who are particularly good at looking after the Irish travelling folk, of whom there are a small number in HMP Bedford. The Harpur Trust have sponsored a handful of wall paintings, to be devised and painted by prisoners, representing the different communities within the prison: Gypsy/ Romany/Travellers is the first; Eastern European is another, Muslim is a third….so far! This event was the unveiling of the first. It is a gloriously colourful image of a traditional gypsy caravan being pulled by a cart horse against a bright, hopeful landscape, with the colours of the group’s flag incorporated. We chatted away to several inmates and met their families, listened to their folk music, and ate some particularly delicious Irish food! 

Meeting with East Anglian Air Ambulance

East Anglian Air Ambulance exists to save lives by delivering highly skilled doctors and critical care paramedics by air or car to seriously ill or injured people in the region. We are a life-saving charity that is only kept airborne thanks to our incredible supporters.

Meeting with Road Victims’ Trust to discuss their church service

The RVT works in partnership with the police and HM Coroners, taking over from them the support of the bereaved and anyone else who is affected by the road death. We know that you may be at the start of a very difficult journey, a journey with no map. We are familiar with the shock, the disbelief, the pain, the anger, the horror, the loneliness and the devastation you are suffering. We can support and guide you through your grief, and enable you to make the practical decisions facing you in the coming weeks and months. Grief is an essential process, but we know that grief caused by violent, unexpected death affects everyone differently.

Hosted the Keech Hospice Party for their Business Lunch Club

As a charity, Keech Hospice provide free, specialist care for adults in Luton and south Bedfordshire, and children from Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Milton Keynes, who have life-limiting and terminal illnesses.

Their excellent specialist care supports adults and children to live pain and symptom free, to spend untroubled time with their family and friends, to understand what’s happening to them, to stay out of hospital and to make the most of the time they have.

Flag Raising for Armed Forces Day

Bedfordshire High Sheriff and Ruth Bell MBE JP DL attended the Armed Forces Flag Raising Ceremony at Priory House, Chicksands, to acknowledge the contribution made by those who serve and have served in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces.

Bedford Daycare Hospice

At the joyful 30th anniversary celebrations of the Bedford Day Care centre. Debbie Inskip, wife of DrTom Inskip, chairman, represented LL Helen Nellis. Their shops, full of great nearly new clothes and household goods support the running costs. All achieved by volunteers!

Afro Caribbean BAAKO

The rain did not dampen the spirits at the amazing Afro Caribbean Bekka at Marsh Farm, Leagrave Park. A great atmosphere and wonderful sense of unity! All were welcome! I bought some fab Caribbean sauces, jerk and piri piri!!

Shrievalty and Crimebeat meeting

Bedfordshire Crimebeat is a charity that supports young people to enable them to undertake projects which serve their community. Since its inception, the charity has enabled the High Sheriff of Bedfordshire to play an active role in the prevention and reduction of juvenile crime.

Visit to the Luton Magistrates Court

A fascinating insight into the workings of the magistrates and district judges courts in Luton. To think magistrates are all unpaid volunteers. They receive a training then have to do a minimum of 13 days a year. They depend on having understanding employers who let them off!

Interview for Tropical FM TV Bedfordshire

Interview by Euan Denny on Tropical FMTV about the role of High Sheriff. Oldest title in England going back to Magna Carta. Then the Sheriff was responsible for law and order and collecting taxes for the king. Now it is largely ceremonial and shining a light on volunteers.

New Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire

Heartiest congratulations to the charismatic Sue Lousada on her appointment as the next Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire on the retirement of the wonderful Helen Nellis in September. Bedfordshire is so fortunate to have two such fabulous women in succession serving the county! Sue is third from the right.

British Legion remembering the Falklands conflict.

Celebrating with British legion 40th Anniversary of the end of the Falklands war and laying a wreath at the War Memorial in Bedford, Bishop Richard said prayers, and we both sent messages to the Falklands through Barry Tappenden of Bedford Hospital radio, at @TheStandard Pub.

Mayoral Investiture, Luton of Cllr Sameera Saleem

Congratulations on The installation of the Mayor of Luton Cllr Sameera Salem, the youngest Mayor ever. Her father before her was Mayor so he must be very proud to keep it in the family!

Flitton Potato Race

A great afternoon in the sunshine at the famous Flitton Potato race organised by the dynamic Simon Sadler in aid of various charities. Divided loyalties as Jake Bishop, mayor of Ampthill was running in Veterans relay against Sue and Simon Lousada in Deputy Lieutenants team!

Beds & Herts Army Cadets Jubilee Celebrations

Beautiful sunny afternoon at Bassingbourne Barracks for Beds & Herts ACF Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal Parade, with high Sheriff of Herts Sally Burton: ⁦⁦@LLieutenantBeds⁩ and @LLieutenantHerts taking the Salute.

Citizenship Ceremony

When the Home Office has approved your application to be a UK citizen, a Citizenship ceremony is arranged, with your local Council. The citizenship ceremony celebrates the significance of becoming a British citizen and welcomes the new citizen into the community. 

Visit from Bedford MP, Mohammed Yasin

Mohammad Yasin MP (born 15 October 1971) is a British Labour party politician serving as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bedford since 2017. He served as a Bedford Borough Councillor from 2006 to 2019, and was employed as a taxi driver prior to his election to Parliament.

Biddenham International School

Thanks to David Bailey, head of fabulous Biddenham International school for inviting me to meet some of his sparky students and to plant an oak tree. What an impressive group they were – from a prospective archaeologist to a food writer – massively impressive!

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service Awards

What a fabulous evening we spent at the Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service Awards @CranfieldUni, hosted by the charismatic CFO Andy Hopkinson. It was a great privilege to present an award to the BFRS Falls Team for the Customer Service Award ‘Every Contact Counts’. @AndyHop999

Greensand Country Awards

Greensand Country, in partnership with The Greensand Trust has announced its new Greensand Champions for 2022. These are groups or individual young people who are doing something amazing for the Greensand Country environment.

Annual Police Awards

I was delighted that Helen Armitage won Volunteer of the Year for her work with the police. Her citation was most impressive listing her large portfolio of voluntary support over a long period. I had recently presented Helen with a Platinum Jubilee award at Volunteer in Policing.

Sri Guru Ravidass Sabha Temple Jubilee Celebrations

A joyous occasion at the Sri Guru Ravidass Sabha temple, Bedford. Many happy families making memories at the Platinum Jubilee celebration, With Prathvi Raj Randhawa, Sam Blacklaws, newly elected mayor of Kempston. We were shown the temple upstairs and presented with white stoles.

Ampthill Jubilee Celebrations

Tim and I visited the packed Alameda Jubilee street party, Ampthill. 70 tables taken for picnickers, great atmosphere as the rain held off. Burger stall and WI cakes for sale. Singer and informal dancing! Nothing quite like this has ever been seen in Ampthill!

Ampthill’s Jubilee Civic Service

I attended a rousing civic service at St Andrew’s Ampthill, for newly installed Mayor Jake Bishop, celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee, in the presence of @LLieutenantBeds, forces cadets, Rev. Dominic Holroyd-Thomas officiating with Ampthill Town band and full choir.

Queens Park multicultural procession

Queens Park multicultural procession and Jubilee celebrations with ⁦⁦⁦lots of fun, music and dancing in brilliant sunshine !

Maulden Parish Council Jubilee Celebrations

Maulden Parish council put on a wonderful afternoon’s entertainment, local history display, amazing cake baking competition, numerous stalls, army cadets display. I presented several long service medals the longest being to the chairman of the PCC for 50 years service!

Bedford African Community Jubilee Celebrations

Bedford African Community Celebrates Queens Platinum Jubilee Multicultural Celebrations, Beautiful food, Drinks, Music, dance, and Information Stalls for everyone.#Queensplatinumjubilee #communities #Accm

New Meppershall Care Home

Lydia Endersby welcomed me before entertaining the families of the residents with a medley of songs. Rita, aged 103 presented me with a beautiful bouquet at New Meppershall Care Home which Lydia Endersby looking on. Rita worked in the Luton hat industry and admired my Luton made hat by Ian Wright!

Lighting the Beacon in Ampthill

Ampthill Queen’s Platinum Jubilee – Lighting of Beacon to commerate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. ‘God Save the Queen’

Volunteers in Policing Jubilee Awards

A delightful evening celebrating ⁦the selfless work of Volunteers⁩ in Policing with Bedfordshire Police cadets and their instructors. My cadet Lewis Waterman⁦ received his. @VLLBeds⁩ and I presented their platinum Jubilee badges.

I was so proud that Grant Waterman, father of my excellent Police Cadet Lewis, won Officer of the year for his leadership skills at the Police Awards ceremony in Luton. I was also delighted to present the PCSO Award to James Collins for his great work with vulnerable children.

Cheering Volunteering

A joyous occasion thanking the wonderful volunteers at Cheering Volunteering in Central Beds. Sharon Wood introduced me to all the stallholders who provide inestimable support throughout this wonderful county of Bedfordshire .

Bedford African community

A lovely happy lunch with the Bedford African community with Sarah McCulloch, celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee. The African drummers and fire-eater were spectacular. A member of the Nigerian Royal family cut the cake and referred to The Queen as “Mama”!