High Sheriff recognises the contribution of young people and horticulture helps the disabled

It’s always a pleasure to be invited to the High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire’s Awards night.  This year it was held at Peterborough’s East of England Showground and many young people were honoured for their community contributions. In England, the High Sheriff is, theoretically, the Sovereign's judicial representative in the county but contemporary high sheriffs have few genuine responsibilities and their functions are largely representational, such as attendance at Royal visits and the protection of Her Majesty’s High Court judges. However, most High Sheriffs have a very full calendar during their year of office visiting and supporting the County’s businesses, public sector services, schools and many more. Each year, the High Sheriffs take on a personal responsibility for fundraising which is used to support local good causes in the County. This year, the incumbent, Richard Barnwell presented awards from the High Sheriff’s Award Scheme to over 20 groups from across Cambridgeshire. The scheme, set up over 10 years ago, gives small grants to projects involving young people in positive activities in the areas of voluntary work, environment and music. Also, several young people were given awards for the significant contribution they make personally to community life. Dressed in formal dress, including sword which he conveniently used as a screen pointer, Richard welcomed the audience which included many of the generous donors and supporters of the High Sheriff Award Fund, including the “chain gang”, several local Mayors as well as past and future Cambridgeshire High Sheriffs.

Groups that received awards ranging from £200 -£500 included Papworth Trust who will continue their work to offer music & drama workshops for disabled children and Peterborough City Council’s Leaving Care service that supports and assists those in care moving on to independent living. As well as the presentation of certificates and awards to groups, eight young people, including Leigh Dawson from Young People March (left below), were given awards for the significant contribution they make personally to community life. Two of the recipient groups, Garage Theatre and Beat This (right below), gave performances demonstrating their theatrical and musical talents. A wonderful evening celebrating the best of our youth in the County – a real counterpoint to the adverse press one hears so often.

Many of us receive a great deal of pleasure and enjoyment, including tangible benefits, from working in our gardens and allotments. So, it won’t be a surprise that horticultural activities are used to help people with severe learning disabilities and young teenagers with learning difficulties. I recently visited EARTH, a group in Ely, who run sessions where I found people of all ages, with varying abilities, working alongside each other in real horticultural situations. They were growing and preparing plants and vegetables for sale, as well as developing and maintaining the site, including a large polygreenhouse. Sara (below left, right of cart) showed me round and introduced me to the session attendees and volunteers. They were busy preparing plants ready to sell next year, along with their vegetables and bird houses, from their distinctive mobile cart (below right). Certainly, this was a happy group learning to work and cooperate together with the potential to go on and use their improved self-esteem and social skills in mainstream activities and education.