Beneath the Bearskin: A special evening supporting Shropshire charity
From growing up in Madeley to taking part in some of the nation's biggest ceremonial occasions, a former Shropshire soldier reflects on his career and the importance of giving opportunities to others
Vern Stokes OBE MVO DL, Garrison Sergeant Major and patron of the 4 All Foundation, reflects on returning to Shropshire for a special evening celebrating the charity’s work and supporting its efforts to improve lives across the county.
Recently, I had the enormous pleasure of returning home to Shropshire for a special occasion.
The Barnes Theatre at Shrewsbury School was filled with people who had come to hear stories from my life in the Army, but, more importantly, to support a charity making a difference to communities across our county.
The evening, entitled Beneath the Bearskin, was organised in support of the 4 All Foundation, a charity I am immensely proud to serve as patron.
I was joined on stage by His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire, Mrs Anna Turner, who kindly took on the role of interviewer. Together, we explored my journey from growing up in Madeley and joining the Army at 16 to serving on operations around the world and eventually becoming responsible for some of the nation's most significant ceremonial occasions.
These included the State Funeral of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Coronation of King Charles III.
There were amusing stories, poignant reflections and plenty of memories from almost four decades in uniform. But throughout the evening, I was reminded of something that has remained important to me wherever my career has taken me: the value of opportunity, encouragement and the people who help us along the way.
I have been incredibly fortunate in my life. The Army has given me experiences I could never have imagined as a young lad growing up in Shropshire. Yet I have never forgotten where I came from or the importance of those who believed in me and offered encouragement when it mattered.
That is one of the reasons the work of the 4 All Foundation means so much to me.
Across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and surrounding communities, the Foundation supports people of all ages through youth clubs, sporting activities, educational opportunities, wellbeing programmes and community groups.
Its aim is to give people the opportunity to participate, develop confidence, feel included and fulfil their potential.
The Foundation reports engaging with more than 6,500 young people and almost 3,000 adults, delivering around 225 hours of activities every week, supported by a team of staff and volunteers.
Behind those figures are individual stories: a young person finding friendship and confidence at a youth club, an older resident discovering companionship through a wellbeing group, or a family benefiting from accessible activities during the school holidays.
The charity is also developing new initiatives, including its recently launched Reading 4 All project, which aims to put more books into the hands of children across the county.
Its wellbeing groups offer friendship and support to people who might otherwise feel isolated, while its youth programmes provide safe and welcoming places where young people can learn, develop and enjoy being themselves.
For me, that is what community is all about.
Having spent much of my adult life serving the country, it is a particular privilege to give something back to the county that helped shape me. I know from personal experience how far a little encouragement and a genuine opportunity can take someone. We should never underestimate the difference we can make to another person's life.
The evening was therefore about far more than recounting stories from beneath the bearskin. It was an opportunity to celebrate the work being undertaken on our own doorstep and help ensure it can continue.
My sincere thanks go to everyone who joined us and supported the evening so generously, to Shrewsbury School for sponsoring and hosting us in such wonderful surroundings, and to Mrs Anna Turner for giving her time and guiding our conversation with such warmth and good humour.
Above all, thank you to the team behind the 4 All Foundation. Their commitment and determination to improve the lives of others are genuinely inspiring.
I have had the privilege of taking part in some remarkable occasions during my military career, but there is something especially rewarding about coming home, being among familiar Shropshire faces and supporting a cause that makes a tangible difference to people's lives.
The bearskin may have taken me to some extraordinary places, but Shropshire will always be home. Helping others in our communities find their own opportunities is a privilege I shall never take for granted.
To learn more about the Foundation or support its work, visit 4all.foundation/