Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2014 | Page 58

THE HIGH SHERIFF

coffee
break

High Sheriff's Diary
by Claire Locke

reading...

Keep posted
on what our
High Sheriff
has been up
to recently...

I

t has been a very busy couple of
months, but still so enjoyable. One of
the many events I attended was the Flag
Raising ceremony in St Thomas Square,
Newport, to celebrate Armed Forces Day.

Martins, and it was a real fun day looking
around the many vehicles that were all
in pristine condition, and meeting their
enthusiastic owners.

It showed support for our military
community, both serving and retired.
Following the raising of the flag there was
affirmation of the Community Covenant,
a voluntary pledge of mutual support
between the civilian community and
its local armed forces. There was also
a parade on the Esplanade at Ryde on
Armed Forces Day, and I found it very
touching to meet so many who fought for
our country.

A

I

was invited to open the Vectis Historic
Vehicle Club’s Open Day at Arreton
Barns, and I had a wonderful time
looking at the cars on show, including a
number of gas-guzzling American vehicles
- Cadillacs, Pontiacs and Firebirds.
There were also many iconic British cars,
such as Minis, Austin Healeys and Aston

58

www.visitilife.com

nother event I really enjoyed
was giving the speech at the Isle
of Wight College Awards Day. I
presented the Student of the Year award
to Vanessa Warry, who has been working
professionally in dance in Las Vegas
and has secured a place to continue her
studies at the prestigious Institute in
Barcelona. Vanessa studied Level Three
preforming arts.
I enjoyed meeting all the students,
teachers and parents who attended, and
felt very privileged that I was there as the
students were beginning the next stage
of their lives after their successes at the
College. The occasion also underlined the
wide spectrum of courses available at the
College - everything from car mechanics
and hairdressing to performing arts and
engineering.

T

he pupils at Brighstone Primary
School were younger than the IW
College students, but nevertheless
just as enthusiastic when I went along to
present their end-of-year awards. They
had achieved the Level Six in maths
and English as they prepared to step up
to their next school after the summer
holidays, and I wish them all well.

I

also enjoyed a visit to HM Prison Isle
of Wight. I spent half a day there, and
found the history very fascinating,
with Parkhurst being the prison where,
in years gone by, many of the convicts
were transported to Australia. I was
shown around the whole complex, and it
proved a very interesting tour. There is a
huge woodwork shop, and the IW Prison
actually has an order to make all the
prison cell furniture for all prisons in the
UK - including around 2,000 bunk beds.
It was pleasing to see the prisoners being
able to learn new skills as well as providing
something positive for the community.