Events

Yesterday, I had the honour of attending the 101 Squadron Memorial Service at RAF Welford and laying a wreath in remembrance of the Lancaster crew who tragically lost their lives on 31 March 1944.

Standing alongside RAF Welford Museum representatives, USAF personnel, veterans, and members of our local community was a powerful reminder of the courage, sacrifice, and service that continue to shape our freedoms today.

It was deeply moving to reflect on the legacy of these airmen, ordinary individuals who displayed extraordinary bravery. Their memory is woven into the history of Berkshire, and it is our duty to ensure their stories live on.

My sincere thanks to the RAF Welford Museum team, the USAF 420th Munitions Squadron, and hosts Miss Zoey Peace and RAF Commander Jayne Robertson for their warm welcome and for the care and respect shown throughout the ceremony. And thank you to veteran Dougie Thomson from my team for accompanying me.

We remember them.
We honour them.
We continue their legacy.

#HighSheriffBerkshire #Remembrance #101Squadron #RAF …

On Friday, the Royal County of Berkshire marked a special moment of transition.

As Sean Taylor DL completed his year of service, we thanked him for his dedication, integrity, and unwavering commitment to our community.

And today, we look ahead with pride as we welcome Lt. Col Ren Kapur MBE, newly sworn in as High Sheriff, as she begins her year championing young people and celebrating volunteers across Berkshire.

Thank you, Sean and welcome, Ren.

A proud handover, and an exciting year ahead for our county.

#highsheriff #berkshire #service #community #leadership …

This is my last post as High Sheriff of the Royal County of Berkshire!
This throwback photo is from my swearing-in ceremony a year ago at Reading Crown Court, which is where I will be heading this afternoon as Ren Kapur MBE takes over the role.
It has been a wonderful privilege and kept me busy, with over 150 engagements. Visits have included to: elements of the judiciary (Crown, magistrates, coroners, tribunals and family courts); the police (seeing forensics, armed response units, traffic, citizen engagement and a very busy ride-along night); support services such as probation and justice services; prisons; hospitals, including Broadmoor; memorial services ((sometimes with inspections), including D Day, VJ Day, Battle of Britain, freedom of town marches, Greenham); citizenship ceremonies across all six unitaries; multiple awards ceremonies (sometimes as a judge); school talks (as part of my theme for the year of education); four state visits; and of course the majority of trips to some of the incredible charity and voluntary organisations that underpin our county.
It was a pleasure to host a Summer Reception, the Judicial Service, the High Sheriff`s Awards at The Vicars` Hall, Windsor Castle and the regional High Sheriffs` event at Monkey Island.
I was pleased to worked alongside @berkshirecommunityfoundation and @learningtowork as my two nominated charities for the year and to try to support many other charity/voluntary/community groups as I could.
It was also a pleasure working with the `Thames Valley posse` of @hisheriffbucks and @highsheriffoxfordshire.
I wish @renkapur all the best with her 12 months and hope they don`t fly by too quickly.
Thank you finally to everyone I have met during my term as High Sheriff for helping define the very best of our community. …

This morning I visited West Berkshire YJST (Youth Justice Support Team) in Newbury (a service offered by @westberkshire), where I was hosted by their excellent Service Manager, Dave Wraight, and met many of the team.
YJST works with children (aged 10 to 18) with the aim of preventing them from offending, reoffending, and helping them to engage in activities to fulfil their potential. The service is made up of social workers, an education worker, a police officer, health workers, probation and restorative justice workers. The team involves people from these different agencies to help access the services children need to help turn them away from crime. Through close multi-agency and partnership working, the YJST is committed to keeping crime low and diverting children away from the criminal justice system.
Dave provided an excellent overview of YJST and data on its learnings from interventions and the efficacy of the service. I wish I had met him earlier in my shrieval journey as the organisation covers so many facets that are core to the High Sheriff role.
Thank you Dave and your team for hosting and for the very valuable support you provide. …

On Friday I also visited The Dash Charity @thedashcharity (Domestic Abuse Stops Here). The organisation has been supporting people experiencing domestic abuse in the communities of East Berkshire and South Buckinghamshire for over 45 years. It was uplifting to hear the stories of victims who have been provided the chance to start new lives.
For safety reasons I have blanked out the lovely team who hosted me.
Thank you for the opportunities you offer women, children and men to rebuild. …

Last Friday morning I visited SHOC (Slough Homeless Our Concern) @sloughhomeless. SHOC is a day centre that provides care for the homeless in Slough and those at risk of becoming so. There are around 150 guests on SHOC`s books and they see around 40 people each day, offering food, washing and laundry facilities, access to medical care and access to resources to help get back into work and find permanent accommodation.
Mandy McGuire and her team do a fantastic job, blending caring with strong rules of conduct, to create a safe space for those in need.
Thank you for your dedication and kindness. …

Last Saturday and today I attended three Berkshire heats of the Magistrates` Court Mock Trial competition. The event simulates a criminal case and is designed to give students aged 12-14 an insight into how the legal system works. The Berkshire High Sheriff is Patron of the Berkshire competition.
Thank you to the many magistrates, teachers and other volunteers who invest significant effort in bringing this opportunity to the schoolchildren. Well done to all the schools for your great performances and to today`s winners, @trinity_newbury (pictured here), who progress to the regional final on 16th May. …

Last Friday morning I was invited to give a talk to approx. 200 sixth form students at Trinity School Newbury about my role as High Sheriff. This was part of the students` PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic) education programme.
Thank you Assistant Head of Sixth Form Diana Evans and students who looked after me and good luck to everyone taking exams this summer. …

This morning I attended the Ascot Racecourse Supports Community Challenge Grand Final, sponsored by @ascotracecourse (driven by Jacqui Greet) and @learningtowork (driven by Nancy Lalor and Rebecca Saich).
Seven Berkshire schools competed for a £1,000 donation (and other prizes) for the charity they have been supporting during the year. The finalists were @garthhillcollege_official, Eden Girls` School, Baylis Court School, @hgs.1952, @theale_green_school, @churchmead_insta, @altwoodschool.
Supported charities were @duchenneuk, @sloughrefugeesupport, @thedashcharity, SHOC, @launchpadreading, @crossroadscareslough, @the_baby_bank.
The schools ran through why they supported their nominated charities, their fundraising activities and overall impact of their activities within their communities, with the most impactful school the winner.
Gerry Lejeune, CEO of @berkshirecommunityfoundation, @jackmrankin, Windsor MP and myself were the judges.
Well done to the winners, @hgs.1952.
They were given a close run by @churchmead_insta, who received a £1,000 donation from the High Sheriff`s Fund. @berkshirecommunityfoundation kindly donated £250 to the other five schools.
The energy from the event was terrific. …

Last Wednesday I attended a Citizenship Ceremony at @sloughcouncil where 38 new citizens were welcomed to the borough.
Unfortunately I was unable to take photos of the ceremony as they had an official photographer.
It was lovely to catch up with Deputy Mayor, Cllr Neel Rana, who is always a very welcoming host. …

For my last event of 2025 I was delighted to be invited to Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, to give a reading at one of its Nine Lessons and Carols services. It was a beautiful event and a wonderful way to see out the 2025 part of my shrieval year.
I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! …

On Saturday I visited a Carol Singing & Christmas Family Crafts event organised by Trinity Early Church and Lower Earley Baptist Church. It was great to see strong attendance from the Earley community.
Pictured left to right are: Clive Jones, MP for Wokingham; Cllr Nicola Brock, Mayor of Earley; Cllr David Hare, who looked after me during the visit; Revd. Jon Salmon, the main organiser of the event. I believe it`s Fraser at the front but forgive me if I misheard.
Thank you so much for bringing the Earley community together at Christmas and for all the good work you do throughout the year. …

High Sheriff Awards. On Thursday 12th March 2026 I will be hosting a High Sheriff`s Awards ceremony at Windsor Castle to recognise individuals and groups who help make Berkshire better. As you reflect on 2025, is there a person or team you feel should be nominated? Please go to the Awards section of the https://berkshirehighsheriff.com website if so. It will take just a couple of minutes of effort to show you value them. Thank you. …