Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2013 | Page 40

ISLAND LIFE

Diary of the High Sheriff
By Nick Hayward
Supporting an event for
Age UK, I was spellbound
listening to Doris Osborne
and Grace Davison
appearing at Whippingham
Community Centre. Both
ladies were over 90, but
put on a captivating recital
and Doris had me in fits
of laughter as she did her
rendition of Roald Dahl’s A
Hand in the Bird.
The charm of the evening
was the combination of
the ‘senior’ thespians in

specialist staff including Tressa Lambert, singing

DJ and Bestival organiser Rob

conjunction with the young students of Centre

teacher, Becky Savage, dance and movement

da Bank swung into action in

Stage. These talented children, like their senior

and Anne Gardner as musical director. The

November to back Daniel and

counterparts, all performed with confidence and

group, which is small and friendly, meets on

Deborah Rooke’s initiative

great flare. Centre Stage is run by Genny Taylor

Sunday mornings in Whippingham during term

to ensure every Island child,

who teaches drama and works with a team of

time.

regardless of circumstances,
had a present at Christmas.
People were amazingly
generous and thousands

One of the most interesting experiences as High

the main flare up points were likely to be just

of beautiful presents were

Sheriff in the summer was going out on night

down the road, in the queues of revellers at

donated, the only problem was,

patrol with the Police.

the late night fast food venues. But the Police

they had to be wrapped. So

presence chatting with the merry-makers resulted

Kate Jackman, from the Bestival

in the queues remaining calm and good-natured.

team, emailed to see if we could

I was therefore delighted Chief Inspector Nick
Heelan invited Nicky and I to join the team on
New Year’s Eve. We sat in on the 10.0pm briefing

rally up our friends to lend a

lead by Sergeant Simon Lythgoe, where the

accordingly and there were less violent incidents

priority was to ensure everyone, the public and

than usual. But more particularly it was so good

Police alike got through the evening without being

to see how our local police know and understand

House for a brilliant afternoon

hurt.

the community in which they operate and are

of organised gift-wrapping.

I went in the Rapid Response Car with Lucy

hand.
We duly arrived at Northwood

there 24/7 to ensure we all continue to enjoy the

Rows of tables were piled

Critchlow and Ben Magee, while Nicky joined

very sheltered and privileged life we have here on

with gift paper, sticky tape,

Simon Lythgoe and Simon Ellis in the Police van.

the Island.

and hundreds of gifts sorted

Between 10.0pm and 4.0am the teams ploughed

into age groups. We wrapped

backwards and forwards between the hot spots of

them in the appropriate paper

Newport and Cowes responding to calls.

depending if they were for boys,

Every officer from Chief Inspector down was

girls or either, before adding

out on the streets, with many of the public in

them to the huge piles, to be

fancy dress and determined to celebrate in style.

counted and sealed up for

I was so impressed by the professionalism and

delivery. The atmosphere was

patience shown by all throughout the evening.

electric and I was sorry not to

The Section 27 Dispersal Order worked well as

40

Every call was evaluated and responded to

stay longer as I headed off to

they were able to remove a known troublemaker

another engagement, but Nicky

from the area before a fight broke out. As the

remained and after five and

evening drew to a close I found it interesting to

half hours was definitely totally

see that while the bars had professional security,

wrapped!

www.visitislandlife.com