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Suffolk
County News
2010/2011
My Declaration took place on 9th April in Crown Court, Ipswich and I was in front of the Resident Judge David Goodin. A new Under Sheriff Neil Walmsley was sworn in at the same time so we were both new in our jobs. And what a year it has been to look back on, and remember for ever!
Suffolk is a mainly rural County but, as elsewhere, new houses are springing up and towns and villages are growing and becoming much more multi-cultural. There are now over twenty Citizenship Ceremonies a year which are undertaken not just by the High Sheriff but also by Deputy Lieutenants and the Chairman of the County Council. Each one brings together a fascinating range of people and cultures. I always found it a very rewarding duty.
I decided early on to visit all the Special Needs schools (there are eight) in Suffolk. This is a very under-funded and under-acknowledged area. The profile of pupil needs in these schools is becoming increasingly complex, both physically and mentally, with little or no provision in many areas for young people with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties, including severe autism. I found our schools vary; one or two have superb facilities, while one has a roof that leaks when it rains. Everywhere staff were outstandingly patient, skilful, and caring, but what an incredibly challenging job they have. One of the most touching moments of my Year was being greeted by the children at a moderate learning difficulties school, where several were in wheelchairs, singing a welcome song when I arrived to visit. It was very moving.
There are five prisons, all of which I visited. Ensuring discipline in the Young Offenders prison is particularly challenging. Members of rival gangs from East London are sent here in some numbers as it is the nearest prison to London. Particularly impressive were the teaching of new skills and the push to prevent re-offending taking place at Highpoint, until quite recently known locally as Knifepoint!
There are also five military bases in Suffolk. The County has always had a significant military presence and the awesome Apache helicopters are stationed here. The RAF and the United States Air Force work closely together and at every base all officers are involved with not just their own personnel, but also with the local communities. All those I met were efficient, well trained, unfailingly courteous and with a deep desire to do their jobs to the best of their ability. We owe a huge debt to those who fight overseas.
Connecting with the judiciary is one of the most important parts of a High Sheriff's job, and I hugely enjoyed sitting with the Judges. Murder, assault, burglary are all part of their lives every day. The Family Court was particularly harrowing, and gave me a small insight into the troubled lives of teenagers today. The break-up of the family as a whole is apparent in so many areas - drug use, alcoholism, child abuse, prostitution and murder often start from a broken home, no parental guidance, no boundaries and perhaps, worst of all, no love.
Trips on the Aldeburgh and Lowestoft lifeboats, hanging off a Fire Service ladder 100ft in the air, Civic Services in beautiful country churches, presenting Long Service medals to the Police, attending the Coroners Court, participating in several Royal visits, reading out the General Election results – all these and many more are once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
There were also many wonderful charities to be visited, and unsung heroes to talk to and thank, working in the community in the fields of child abuse, support for the elderly, domestic violence and a myriad other worthwhile and essential causes. Each and every one was passionate about their work and their cause, with no reward other than job satisfaction. Surely this is what the Big Society is all about.
My husband and I gave a charity lunch, and also had a work experience initative for 18-25 year old students. Jobs are increasingly difficult to find, and even the chance to try a job out is no longer easy to obtain. Our opportunities ranged from banks to ballet, and everything in between. The two events were hugely successful, and we raised £120,000 for the local Hospices.
Finally, the Justice Service was a triumph of organisation by our new Under Sheriff and the Cathedral staff at Bury St Edmunds. Lady Butler-Sloss gave the address, the choir were magnificent and the trumpeters really raised the roof of the Cathedral.
Throughout my Year our new Under Sheriff and my husband were my rocks, and I owe a huge debt of gratitude to both of them.
Returning from an exercise in a force 8 gale with the crew of the RNLI lifeboat ‘Spirit of
Lowestoft’.
Left to right: Coxswain/mechanic John Fox, High Sheriff Tessa Innes, Sophie McCully, John Orr and Nigel Lyman.
Tessa Innes
High Sheriff of Suffolk 2010/2011
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