Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2012 | Page 46

ISLAND LIFE

Diary of the High Sheriff
During his term as High Sheriff of the
Isle of Wight, Nick Hayward will be giving
readers an insight into some of the duties
he carries out, and highlight a few of the
lesser known charitie s and voluntary
organisations that play such a vital part in
life on the Island.
During the Jubilee Celebrations I was invited
to tea at Downside Community Centre, the
home of the charity The Way Forward. It
was a joy and revelation to meet everyone
involved in this excellent service. My wife
Nicky was enchanted watching the rehearsals

of The Way Forward, which made me realise

good mental health. Their dedicated staff

of their show Summer Nights at Medina

that as High Sheriff I could help:"Thank you

are always looking for new and exciting

Theatre and we immediately booked tickets.

for your support we really do appreciate it, the

experiences for their people, providing each

As a consequence I have been asked as

hardest part of doing this job is trying to raise

individual with the highest standard of care

High Sheriff if I would become their Patron

the profile of the program and the good work

and support.

and along with the High Sheriff in Nomination

that all the staff put into making it a success.

for next year we have both agreed. It is the

This is why its means so much to us all that

should have a say in how their services are

High Sheriff’s responsibility to focus, not only

you have come along and taken away so

run and what opportunities are available to

the statutory agencies, but also the voluntary

much from the experience we couldn’t have

them, allowing people to achieve their goals,

sector and in particular those hard working

asked for more, thank you."

grow in independence, confidence and self

individuals and charities that so often slip
below the radar.
It was the following quote from Lee White,

The Way Forward supports vulnerable

They believe everyone with a disability

esteem. It is an important service run by

adults with learning and physical disabilities

dedicated people and I am thrilled to be their

as well as helping them to maintain

Patron.

One of the most exciting outings

everything at a moment’s notice,

recently was going out with the

they will all say the same - they

Bembridge Lifeboat crew on a

just want to give something back

training exercise.

to their community.

Nicky and I boarded the lifeboat

dramatic drop in the number of

Coxswain Steve Simmonds and

full time fishermen living within

his crew. We braced ourselves

minutes of the Lifeboat Station.

for the thrill as we slipped down

This is a problem because it is

the launch ramp and splashed

the local fishermen, working out

into the Solent. The crew, all

at sea all year round, who have a

exceptionally brave local men,

vast knowledge and experience of

selflessly volunteer to go out

local waters and the confidence

and save their fellow seafarers

to go out in all weathers. It was

whenever they are in trouble.

a good reminder how we should

If you ask any of them men
why they give up their spare time
to man the lifeboat, dropping

46

www.visitislandlife.com

I was concerned to learn of the

Alfred Albert Williams with

all be grateful to them for their
courageous work.