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My theme for the year is RURAL GLOUCESTERSHIRE 

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Though we have significant towns and the bustling city of Gloucester, Gloucestershire is largely a rural county, renowned for the beautiful Cotswolds, the dramatic River Severn and the Forest of Dean among many other jewels.  Our towns, villages and countryside, wonderful churches and monuments are steeped in history and magnets for tourists and visitors.  Our county is a farmed landscape, which has changed over time but where we can still read the stories of the past in our stone walls, ridge and furrow landscapes, winding rivers, woodlands, hedgerows and tiny lanes.  

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We’re forward-looking, with progressive and entrepreneurial farmers operating in the county, a huge number of innovative rural businesses, and a growing number of exciting landscape-scale conservation projects under way.  We are blessed with three Universities, two (the RAU and Hartpury) specialising in land and rural issues.   

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But there are challenges for rural areas too:  the lack of affordable housing, transport and services, and rural crime.  Flooding, drought and unpredictable weather add to the stress felt by residents, farmers and landowners.  And sometimes tourism pressures can feel too much.  Rural areas can feel forgotten, left behind and at the bottom of the priority list.   

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So I will use my year to highlight rural Gloucestershire in all its dimensions.  Tell me what you think about rural Gloucestershire!   Invite me to your events and to see your experiences at first hand.  And please join me on one of my walks – one a month in different parts of the county, followed by tea and cakes and a talk/discussion on the issues we’ve seen and talked about.   

I look forward to meeting you, hearing your views and immersing myself in this beautiful county as your High Sheriff. 

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