Congratulations to 22 new UK citizens from 13 countries, including Bangladesh, Brazil, Germany, India, Iraq, Italy, Nigeria, Romania, South Africa, Russia, Spain, Sri Lanka and Taiwan. I was delighted to give the welcome speech, on behalf of King Charles and the Cheshire Lord Lieutenant, at a special ceremony organised in the impressive setting of Chester […]
Calling on Cheshire families, friends and workplace teams to join a fun, sponsored walk for a powerful cause. My charity fundraiser ‘Race Across the Roodee’ takes place on Saturday, 26th September, 11am, at the iconic Chester Racecourse. Families (including children and grandparents), community groups, and workplace teams are invited to walk five laps (5 miles) of the racecourse together, solving […]
The North West’s infantry regiment, the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, marked its 20th anniversary with a special parade in Preston town centre and a celebration event at Fulwood Barracks. It was a real trip down memory lane for me and wonderful to return to the town’s Fulwood Barracks, where I spent five happy, exciting years as […]
Youngsters involved in the Warrington Clover Hate Crime Project have created a fantastic, thought-provoking short film, inviting viewers to walk ‘In My Shoes’! VIPs, parents, youth workers and friends gave the eight brave, talented young stars a standing ovation for their amazing presentation and ten minute video, which was premiered at a special launch event at […]
As a fellow wordsmith, I was delighted to be invited by the University of Chester to present prizes to winners of the prestigious Cheshire Prize for Literature. A packed audience at the university was entertained by a speech from author and publisher Ele Fountain, before winning adult and children were announced in a variety of […]
The county’s dedicated Deaf and Sensory Network gathered for a special golden celebration at Abbeywood, near Delamere Forest, to mark five decades of delivering an excellent support service to hundreds of local people with hearing difficulties. It was great to join with the Cheshire Lord Lieutenant, Lady Redmond, and local mayors to discover more about […]
Local magistrates are the unsung heroes of law and order. All are unpaid volunteers, who undertake specialist legal training and serve for many hours a month dispensing justice in magistrates courts across Cheshire. Last week I was delighted to be present at the swearing in ceremony of 15 new magistrates at Chester Crown Court. And […]
I was proud to attend an incredibly moving tribute to Cheshire soldiers killed in the First World War’s Battle of the Somme in June 1916. I joined local mayors and youth cadet forces for a special short parade and remembrance ceremony before a fantastic wartime show inside the beautiful Crewe Lyceum Theatre. A standing ovation […]
Many congratulations to Northwich Sapphires Netball Club, who are a real jewel in the crown of Cheshire’s brilliant community sports clubs. Since 2003, they have built up an amazing, successful and supportive club, attracting mainly girls and women, from Under 8s to topflight competitors and the ‘Nice N’Easy’ adult teams, and now welcome boys and […]
Mainstream schooling sadly doesn’t work for everyone. Some pupils disengage completely, for a wide range of reasons, and this often leads to them ending up as NEETs (Not in education, employment or training). I was delighted to attend an awards ceremony to mark the end of an amazing pilot project hosted at Reaseheath College, near […]