From meeting President Biden to “talking trash”

Over a fortnight in July 2023, Jennifer Tolhurst, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Essex, carried out eight hugely different activities, in a schedule that illustrates well the range of events she undertakes throughout the year.

Mrs Tolhurst’s diary for the fortnight helps to explain the role of the Lord-Lieutenant.

In this short period she met the President of the United States, saw new magistrates sworn in, supported the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Trust, attended two university graduation events, presented awards and “talked trash”, of which more below.

A head and shoulders shot of Lord Lieutenant of Essex Jennifer Tolhurst. She wears a dark jacket with the Lord Lieutenant medal on her left breast. She wears a necklaces of two short strings of pearls, pearl stud earrings and a dark pillbox hat. Behind her is a Union Jack unfurled and stained glass windows.

1: Meeting a President

On the evening of Sunday 10th July 2023, President Biden arrived on Air Force One at Stansted Airport in Essex and was greeted by HM Lord-Lieutenant of Essex Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst.

Meeting visiting Heads of State is a requirement for Lord-Lieutenants in counties where there is a significant airport.

Many Heads of State come into Stansted in Essex and this time President Biden was arriving for a brief visit to London and Windsor, first to meet the Prime Minister, then The King, and then on to the NATO summit in Lithuania.

The Lord-Lieutenant says: It is a privilege to be asked to carry out this very interesting duty.

 

President Joe Biden disembarks Air Force One and is greeted by Jane Hartley, U.S. Ambassador to the U.K., Jennifer Tolhurst, Lord-Lieutenant of Essex, and Karen Pierce, DCMG, Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the United States, Sunday, July 9, 2023, at London Stansted International Airport, London, England. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz)

2: Graduating Doctors

The following week began on Monday 17th July at Chelmsford Cathedral, with the graduation ceremony of the first cohort of students from Anglia Ruskin University School of Medicine.

These were the first ever students to graduate as medical doctors in Essex.

A total of 81 students, who began their studies in 2018, qualified as junior doctors and will go on to complete further postgraduate training in their chosen fields. Many of them will practise in Essex.

Mrs Tolhurst commented on what a happy and important day it had been; the new doctors, their families, the academics, and those involved with the building of the School of Medicine, were delighted with its success.

Anglia Ruskin School of Medicine first ever cohort of graduating doctors

3: Talking Trash

The next day, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Essex went to the “Let’s Talk Trash” Festival at Braxted Park.

In collaboration with Maldon District Council, Essex County Council and Plume Academy, Braxted Park Estate had invited over 300 students aged 11-13 to the grounds of the estate.

The students took part in exciting and engaging activities designed to shift behavioural change around littering, raise awareness of the environmental impacts and encourage the next generation to become changemakers.

Mrs Tolhurst said: “It was an inspiring day and we all learned a great deal from it.”

Students spell out the words “No Litter” at Let’s Talk Trash Festival 2023

4: Raising a Helicopter

That evening Mrs Tolhurst attended a fundraising event on behalf of Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Trust, (EHAAT).

Unlike NHS emergency services, EHAAT is a charity. The free life-saving service is provided 24/7 by helicopters and by rapid response vehicles in the hours of darkness.

EHAAT needs to replace the existing MD902 helicopter with a far superior AW169 aircraft, to cover the geographical area for which it is responsible and to reach patients in less than 20 minutes.

The extent of the charity’s remarkable work is only achieved by successful fundraising as there is virtually no government support.

Essex and Herts Air Ambulance. Centre: CEO Jane Gurney

5: Future Business Leaders

On Wednesday 19th July, Mrs Tolhurst attended a graduation ceremony for Essex Business School, part of Essex University, at Wivenhoe.

Students who graduated in all aspects of Business celebrated their successes.

Mrs Tolhurst commented that “It was another impressive event where the audience of family, friends, and academics witnessed the excellence and applauded the graduates as they received their degrees.

Essex Business School student celebrate