Archived News

Up until 1891 Tamworth castle was in Warwickshire, so it was a pleasure to invite the High Sheriff of Warwickshire Min Willoughby de Broke to join me in unveiling the terracotta Gryphon, recently restored and now standing proudly in the courtyard of the Castle. Made by Gibbs & Canning of Tamworth, who became internationally famous […]

Colour Sargeant Watchman V was a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, buried with full military honours on 31st January outside Burton Town Hall during a Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of his life. He was the mascott of The Staffordshire Veterans Association, maintaining the traditions of The Staffordshire Regiment, and with his handler Major M.A.Woodcroft, had attended

Tuesday 11th January saw my third and final Court Service, marking the opening of the Hilary Term at the Crown Court in Stafford. With the emergence of the Omicron Varient a visit to the courts was not possible, so once again HHJ Kristina Montgomery spoke in church, rather than in the Court Building. She reflected

Sadly ,with rising levels of Covid cases across the country, particularly the new Omicron variant, we are hearing of the cancellation of all prison Carol Services. I was looking forward to the opportunity of visiting, or re-visiting, more of the eight prisons in our county. But on 19th December, at the invitation of The Lord

To mark Armistice Day and the period of Remembrance I was pleased to attend three particular events held in the county: On Monday 8th November I attended the Royal British Legion Cross Laying Ceremony in the Garden of Remembrance at St Mary’s, Stafford. On Thursday 11th November my wife and I attended the annual Armistice

I was delighted to attend the Girlguiding Staffordshire Annual Review yesterday evening. It was a pleasure to meet the key people and hear about their big plans for Unity 2022 – The International Girl Guiding camp being held at Kibblestone Campsite near Stone next summer. .

Monday 1st November saw the second Court Service, marking the opening of the Michaelmas Term at the Crown Court in Stafford. While we were still socially distanced within St Mary’s Collegiate Church, the traditional processions could take place, firstly from the County Building to the church, and afterwards from the church to the courts, with

I was delighted to be invited to attend the annual St John Priory Group of Staffordshire & Wolverhampton presentations at The Collegiate Church of St Mary in Stafford, hosted by the County President Rev’d John Davis MBE KstJ, in the presence of The Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire Ian Dudson CBE KstJ, and attended by The

The British Empire Medal is awarded for a ‘hands-on’ service to the local community, and I was delighted to attend the ceremony where Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire, Mr Ian Dudson, having been unable to present any in 2020 because of Covid, presented of 10 medals, over two afternoons in October. Social distancing measures

Held at the National Memorial Arboretum on 19th October, this ceremony celebrated the achievements of Police teams and individuals who have excelled in their duties for the communities of Staffordshire. At the invitation of Temporary Chief Constable Emma Barnett, it was a pleasure to attend with my wife Sanda, and amongst the presentation of many

I was proud to be asked by the Lord Lieutenant, Ian Dudson, to attend the presentation of five Queen’s Awards for Voluntary Service, some awarded last year but not presented because of Covid restrictions, and some awarded this year. Congratualtions to all of these on your well-deserved awards! Walk Ministries were presented with their award

I was invited to attend the planting of two trees as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative at Primary Schools in Staffordshire, The Crescent Academy, Meir on Tuesday 5th October and at Charnwood Primary School, Lichfield on Tuesday 12th October.As a keen conservationist I thoroughly endorse this Platinum Jubilee Initiative, and I look forward

The covid lockdowns have profoundly affected the usual cycle of Civic Services held by incoming Mayors and Chairs of Staffordshire’s Borough and District Councils, which couldn’t happen at all in 2020. So it was that, instead of being in May & June this year, it was in September and October that I had the pleasure

Staffordshire can be proud of the National Memorial Arboretum, and it has been a privilege to attend many events there this year. On Monday the 6th September we attended an evening event celebrating their first twenty years on the site at Alrewas.Wanting to share this unique national asset with High Sheriff’s from neighbouring counties, I

As part of the Battle of Britain commemorations being held in the county, I was pleased to attend three very different events that highlighted the importance of that critical conflict.On Sunday 12th September I attended a service of commemoration held by TSW (Tactical Supply Wing, RAF) in The Collegiate Church of St Mary in Stafford.