17 April 2026

RAU Chair of Governors, Dame Fiona Reynolds - who has recently been installed as the new High Sheriff of Gloucestershire - is inviting people to join her on ‘walk and talk’ events around the county.

At each event there will be short walks at 11am and 2pm, followed by tea, cakes, and discussion in the Village Hall from 4pm to 5.30pm. You don’t need to go on the walks to come to the tea, cakes, and discussion.  

The first event will be held at Rendcomb Village Hall on Friday 24 April. All are welcome – please sign up on Fiona’s website www.damefionareynoldsgloshighsheriff.com.

Fiona plans to focus on rural themes during her year in office and is keen to hear from anyone who wants to join in about the challenges and opportunities facing rural Gloucestershire.

She said: “Gloucestershire is a beautiful rural county and there is much to celebrate but there are often problems below the surface, including a lack of affordable housing, unreliable public services, worries about the future of farming, and the loss of nature to name but a few.

“I have a lifelong interest in the countryside and want to use my year to raise the profile of what matters to people in and about Gloucestershire’s countryside.”

The full walk and talks programme is:

Friday 24 April                 Rendcomb Village Hall, in partnership with Cotswolds National Landscape

Friday 15 May                 Hawkesbury Upton Village Hall, in partnership with The Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust

Friday 19 June                Guiting Power, in partnership with the Guiting Estate

Friday 3 July                   Snowshill Manor, in partnership with the National Trust

Friday 28 August            Tewkesbury Abbey, in partnership with the Abbey and CPRE

Friday 11 September      Fairford, in partnership with the Ernest Cook Trust

Friday 9 October            Wick Court, Arlington, in partnership with Farms for City Children

Friday 13 November      Ebworth, in partnership with the National Trust

Friday 11 December      Wilderness Centre, Forest of Dean, in partnership with Forest of Dean District Council

Friday 15 January          Crickley Hill, in partnership with The Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust

Friday 12 February        Westonbirt, in partnership with Forestry England

Friday 5 March               Dymock Village Hall, in partnership with the Forest of Dean District Council

Friday 12 March             Wrap event at the Royal Agricultural University. What have we heard, what have we learned, and what we can do? 

For more information, or to sign up for one of the walks, please visit Dame Fiona’s website www.damefionareynoldsgloshighsheriff.com or contact her at high.sheriff@rau.ac.uk