Celebrating Service Across Oxfordshire

The High Sheriff’s Awards 2026 – Pembroke College, Oxford

On the evening of Monday 9th March 2026, we gathered in the beautiful surroundings of Pembroke College, Oxford, to celebrate the High Sheriff’s Awards 2026 – an opportunity to recognise those whose courage, compassion and commitment strengthen communities across our county.

My sincere thanks go to The Rt Hon Sir Ernest Ryder PC DL, Master of Pembroke College, for his exceptionally generous hospitality in hosting the ceremony. Pembroke provided a fitting setting in which to celebrate service and community.

We were also honoured by the presence of HM Lord-Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Marjorie Glasgow BEM, whose attendance and thoughtful address reminded us that the strength of Oxfordshire lies in the extraordinary people who serve others quietly and consistently.

The ceremony itself was led by our High Sheriff’s Cadets, who acted as Masters of Ceremonies with impressive composure and confidence – a reminder that the next generation of service is already stepping forward.

The awards reflect the theme of my Shrieval year, Hearing the Young Unheard, and celebrate those who amplify voices, create belonging, and strengthen the safety and cohesion of our communities.

The Award Recipients

Harry and Jordan Bradbury

Harry and Jordan Bradbury have shown remarkable courage in transforming personal tragedy into public advocacy. Having lost their mother to domestic homicide and their father to imprisonment, they experienced the profound trauma of losing both parents. Rather than allowing that experience to silence them, they have used their voices to campaign nationally for better support for children affected by domestic homicide. Through their participation in The Children Behind the Headlines and their work engaging policymakers, they are ensuring that children facing similar circumstances today are seen, heard and supported.

Mike Brown

Mike Brown represents the quiet strength of good governance. As Treasurer of The Abingdon Bridge, he has played a crucial role in safeguarding the charity’s financial stability and long-term sustainability. Now in his eighties, Mike continues to give his time generously, ensuring that frontline staff and volunteers can focus on supporting vulnerable young people. His contribution reminds us that effective service is often delivered quietly behind the scenes.

Lorna Darrock and Mark Horner

Lorna Darrock and Mark Horner have transformed Faringdon Junior Young Farmers into a thriving club for young people aged 10–16. Alongside full-time jobs, they invest huge energy in organising activities, competitions and meetings that give young people a strong sense of belonging. Their enthusiasm has been so infectious that the club now has a waiting list – perhaps the clearest possible testament to their success.

Peter Gill

For more than fifty years, Peter Gill has been a trusted adult for generations of young people in Stanford in the Vale. Through youth work, teaching and community leadership, he has provided quiet pastoral care to those who needed it most. From running youth clubs to championing a local skateboarding area, Peter has consistently created spaces where young people feel respected, heard and valued.

Ewa Gluza

Ewa Gluza’s leadership of the Oxford Polish Association has brought together communities across Oxford through culture, education and volunteering. In 2025 alone, her projects engaged thousands of participants and volunteers, creating inclusive spaces where children and families from different backgrounds could connect and learn together. Her work demonstrates how culture can be a powerful force for social cohesion.

Sue Greatbanks

Sue Greatbanks embodies the very best of village life. For more than forty-five years she has served the Harwell community through teaching, governance, environmental initiatives and voluntary leadership. From mentoring early readers to creating inclusive play spaces and helping lead community sustainability projects, Sue has ensured that Harwell remains a thriving place for future generations.

Dickon Green

Dickon Green’s youth work at Sweatbox has reached young people often labelled “hard to reach”. Through patience, consistency and respect, he has built relationships with young people facing exclusion, antisocial behaviour and disengagement. His outreach work – alongside inclusive programmes such as the BEATBOX group for young people with additional needs – shows the transformative power of trusted youth work.

Owain Handley

Lance Corporal Owain Handley of 241 Signal Squadron has demonstrated exceptional dedication to Oxfordshire Cadets. Through mentoring, training and encouragement, he helps young people develop technical skills, confidence and discipline. His ability to translate complex communications systems into accessible training sessions makes him both an effective instructor and an inspiring role model.

Bill Hanks

Bill Hanks has used his professional expertise as a materials scientist to create opportunities for young people at SOFEA. Recognising the potential for practical science learning, he established a materials science laboratory to inspire future careers in local industries. Alongside this, he started a table tennis team, helping young people build confidence, teamwork and pride in their achievements.

Ruth Hawkins

Ruth Hawkins is a force of energy and generosity in the Abingdon community. Through her work with Abingdon Carousel Family Centre, the charity Madrina, and the A.C.E. Christmas Toy Drive, she ensures that families and young people receive practical support and moments of joy. Whether helping a teenager attend their school prom or ensuring a child receives a Christmas present, Ruth consistently goes the extra mile.

Susan Hearn

Susan Hearn has made an outstanding contribution to the justice system in Oxfordshire through her leadership within HM Courts and Tribunals Service. Her work has significantly reduced delays in family court proceedings, ensuring that vulnerable children are not left waiting unnecessarily for stable outcomes. During the challenges of the pandemic, her leadership ensured that the courts continued to function effectively.

Albert “Albie” Henderson

Albie Henderson, a Cub Scout, has shown extraordinary compassion and determination in advocating for greater awareness of PANS and PANDAS, conditions affecting children’s neurological health. Motivated by the experience of his brother becoming disabled following illness, Albie has written to national leaders and contributed to educational resources used by paediatric professionals. His advocacy is both moving and inspiring.

Jeremy Long

Jeremy Long has played a key role in building partnerships that improve access to opportunity across Oxfordshire. As a founder of the Oxfordshire Inclusive Economy Partnership, he has helped create connections between universities, businesses and the justice system. These initiatives are opening pathways to employment for those who might otherwise be excluded – including people leaving prison and refugees seeking to rebuild their lives.

Marion McCarthy

For forty years, Marion McCarthy has taught Irish dance in Blackbird Leys, creating a community where children develop confidence, discipline and pride in their achievements. Running her organisation entirely on a not-for-profit basis, she has supported generations of young people – some of whom have gone on to compete at world championship level. Her work shows how culture can transform lives.

Ahmed Mohamed

Ahmed Mohamed, Deputy Manager of Security at Oxford Brookes University, has shown remarkable commitment to community wellbeing. Through initiatives such as Project Pathfinder, he supports refugees, asylum seekers and young people in managed accommodation, helping them understand UK law and navigate their new lives. Alongside this strategic work, he has organised practical support for families in Barton, including donations that helped provide a dignified community Christmas meal.

Lucy Phipps

Lucy Phipps founded Inspiration Learning to help students who needed extra support to unlock their potential. Her work with Aspire supporting vulnerable young people includes a powerful example of helping a young man exit county lines exploitation through education and encouragement. Lucy’s approach demonstrates the life-changing difference that belief and persistence can make.

Victor Puddick

Victor Puddick has been a devoted volunteer with ARCh (Assisted Reading for Children) since its earliest days. Over seventeen years he has helped more than fifty children become confident readers. Even after receiving a diagnosis of dementia, Victor has continued volunteering with warmth and dedication, supported by his wife Janet. His quiet commitment is both humbling and inspiring.

Jill Saint

Jill Saint’s lifetime of volunteering spans more than sixty years. Her dedication to St John Ambulance in Kidlington, alongside her support for initiatives such as the Otters swimming club for disabled people, has touched countless lives. Jill’s contribution reflects a lifetime spent helping others with humility and practical commitment.

Linda Slide

Linda Slide, Chief Executive of Banbury Young Homelessness Project (BYHP), has provided calm and steady leadership in tackling youth homelessness in Cherwell. Following a difficult period for the organisation, she stepped forward to ensure continuity and stability while strengthening the charity’s focus on youth voice and early intervention. Although Linda could not attend the ceremony in person, the award was received on her behalf by BYHP apprentice Dani Brooks.

Recognising Service and Leadership

The evening also included two special moments.

First, representatives of St John Ambulance Oxfordshire presented a certificate recognising the Lord Lieutenant’s appointment as Honorary Commander of St John in Oxfordshire, marking her support for the organisation’s humanitarian work across the county.

Second, we celebrated Emily George, one of our High Sheriff’s Cadets, on achieving the King’s Scout Award, the highest youth honour in UK Scouting – a recognition of sustained service, leadership and commitment.

A County Sustained by Service

The High Sheriff’s Awards carry no financial prize. They are simply a public expression of gratitude – a moment to pause and say thank you.

What we saw at Pembroke College was a reminder that Oxfordshire is sustained not only by institutions, but by people: volunteers, leaders, mentors and advocates who show up for others day after day.

To every recipient, and to the many others across the county who serve quietly and consistently – thank you.

John May, High Sheriff of Oxfordshire 2025/6