Visit to Birmingham Hospice in Erdington

I was delighted to visit the Erdington site of Birmingham Hospice with my Chaplain Rev’d Canon Becky Reeve, to meet the CEO Paul Bytheway and Head of Fundraising Lucy Watkins. As with many Hospices, the range of work and support that is provided by those at Birmingham Hospice to those with life limiting conditions, extends […]

Legal Service in Staffordshire

I was delighted to join the High Sheriffs of Shropshire and Derbyshire and numerous Mayors from across the County, in supporting the High Sheriff of Staffordshire Mr Timothy Gillow at the Service on the official Opening of the Hilary term at Stafford Crown Court. The service was held at The Collegiate Church of St Mary […]

Observing training with the Warwickshire Search & Rescue Service

I joined nearly 50 volunteers from the Warwickshire Search and Rescue team at one of the regular training sessions in Leamington Spa. The Search and Rescue Service is a lowland rescue team which assist the Police ( including in the West Midlands ) with searches for vulnerable missing persons, and their 88 members were involved […]

Installation of new Bishop of Worcester

I was honoured to join the Lord-Lieutenants of Worcestershire and Worcestershire and the High Sheriff of Worcestershire in attending the Service of Welcome and Installation of Hugh Nelson as the new Bishop of Worcester. The service was held in the magnificent Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Mary the Virgin, and Bishop High is […]

School Visit to the WM Fire Service Safeside facility

I had another very enjoyable visit to the West Mids Fire Service’s SafeSide facility in Nechells. On this occasion, I got to observe a day of information and instruction provided to year 9 students from a Primary School in Wolverhampton, across a wide range of safety related matters relevant to the home and in respect […]

Visit to Compton Care in Wolverhampton

I had a really interesting and informative visit to Compton Care in Wolverhampton where I was hosted by the CEO Rachel Overfield. Compton Care provides accessible care and support for people living with life limiting conditions in the Black Country and parts of South Staffs. The hospice facility which comprises 18 Bedroom suites on site, […]

Citizenship Ceremony in Walsall

I was delighted to join the Mayor of Walsall, Councillor Louise Harrison, for a Citizenship Ceremony at the Council House. There were nearly 40 new Citizens who participated in the Ceremony and these are always joyful occasions to experience. The Mayor and I encouraged the new citizens to get involved with their local communities and […]

Christmas Crackers on Switch Radio

I was delighted to be invited to record a radio show to be broadcast by Switch Radio on Christmas Day. The Christmas Crackers is an initiative that has been going for a number of years and various civic leaders are invited in to record a one hour programme which features 10 of their favourite songs. […]

Mayor of Sutton Coldfield’s Civic Carol Service

I was very pleased to attend the Mayor of Sutton Coldfield’s Civic Carol Service at Holy Trinity Church alongside the Lord-Lieutenant Derrick Anderson CBE and Sir Andrew Mitchell MP, KCMG. The Service was led by my Chaplain the Rev’d Canon Becky Reeve and had a particular focus on thanking those who work in the emergency […]

West Mids Fire Service Pass Out Ceremony

I was delighted to attend the recent Pass out Ceremony for the most recent cohort of Trainee Firefighters for the West Midlands Fire Service. I have had the opportunity to observe various training modules that these trainee Firefighters have undertaken during their 12 week intensive induction programme and saw the combination of high level skill […]