August round-up
Heights of Possibility
I witnessed an ambitious project to inspire those from diverse backgrounds to become pilots in action at Husbands Bosworth Gliding Club.
The Heights of Possibility Experience (HOPE) gives ethnically diverse and disadvantaged young people the chance to experience a flight in a glider – with a view to some of them eventually training as pilots for conservation.
The young people I met had an initial flying experience with pilot Rob Barsby of Aerosparx, who founded the programme with Chris Desai, Global Director of UOCEAN 2050, a project of the Leicester-based charity the Vayyu Foundation, which aims to empower those from underrepresented communities to take an active role in conservation.
It was a pleasure to meet everyone who took part.
Jims Tractor Run
I got on my tractor for the annual Jim’s Tractor Run and Family Fun Day in Ashby de la Zouch. The event raised funds for the Bright Hope charity, an organisation that offers therapeutic and social care services in North West Leicestershire. It supports individuals with conditions that are life limiting or that lead to a significant reduction in quality of life. As I’m sure you can imagine, it is an extremely worthy cause, and I was very happy to take part in such an enjoyable event in support of its work. It was certainly a day to remember.
Rural Crime Unit
Giving horse riders and cyclists plenty of room and keeping speed to a safe level when you are driving past them is essential for everyone’s safety. Operation Snaffle is an initiative to raise awareness of this, and I found out more about it when I visited the Rural Crime Unit of Leicestershire and Rutland Police. I spent the day with PC Lauren DeWet and met equestrian volunteers who support the police with rural reach and assist with Operation Snaffle. I also saw successful enquiries taking place into fly tipping of builder’s waste on farmland. It was an interesting insight into the varied work of the Rural Crime Unit.
I’m pictured here with PC DeWet, equestrian volunteer Jayne Briggs, and Tully the horse.
STEPS
The Steps Conductive Education Centre in Shepshed is a specialist Early Years setting that supports children with motor impairments. It works with families to develop the motor skills the children need to maximise their potential and give them the best start in life. A fundraiser for this wonderful charity – the Steps Summer Soiree – took place in the beautiful setting of Staunton Harold Hall earlier this month and I was privileged to attend. The event was hosted by patron Rosemary Conley and included entertainment from my predecessor as High Sheriff, John Chatfeild-Roberts, and Rev. Paul Towns, who delighted the audience with their musical comedy double act ‘Towns & Chatters’.
I’m pictured with Rosemary, as well as Cllr Dr Julie Bradshaw left, and Julie Ellerbeck, right.
High Sheriff’s Summer Party
My summer garden party took place earlier this month in bright sunshine and it was a very enjoyable occasion. There were more than 170 guests at the event from Leicestershire’s civic, charitable and voluntary organisations. Fellow High Sheriffs from Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire and Rutland also attended. It was a great opportunity for everyone to network, and we were very well entertained by Oddfellows Brass who played a selection of uplifting tunes. I took the opportunity to speak about the importance of the community across Leicestershire and thanked everyone for the contributions they make to life in our county.
Lord Mayor’s Afternoon Tea
The Lord Mayor of Leicester Cllr Teresa Aldred kindly invited me for afternoon tea at the Town Hall in Leicester earlier this month. It was an honour to attend and here we are pictured with my Consort Jane Bryan and the Lord Mayor’s Consort Maggie Corley.
