Surrey Day – What a memorable day that was and with such amazing weather too!
Our Day started at Brookwood Cemetery where my Wife Suzanne and I, accompanied by one of my two High Sheriff’s Cadets – Grace, were met by Avril Kirby, Kim Lowe and Paul McCue at the Chapel in the Civilian Cemetery, where we were told all about the history and importance of this incredible and important resting place; the large cemetery in the UK with over 250,000 people buried here. The Chapel is situated in a beautiful and very well maintained area with an arboretum of trees and an abundance of wildlife. It is a Grade 1 listed Historical Park. Then followed a tour of the American Cemetery, by Gail Anderson, which brought home to us the huge sacrifices made by our American allies. The graves here were for those US soldiers from the first world war which lost their lives in and around the UK waters whose families chose not to have their bodies repatriated, the second world war US cemetery is in Cambridge. We were then guided by Paul McCue in the surrounding Commonwealth Military Cemetery who regaled us with heroic, though sadly tragic, stories of some members of the Special Operations Executive remembered here. We left Brookwood Cemetery very humbled, and with a bigger appreciation of those foreign nations that helped win the war leading to VE Day 80 years ago this past week.
The next stop was the RAF Memorial near Egham – an impressive monument designed by Sir Edward Maufe (who also designed Guildford Cathedral) with incredible views towards London and Windsor. The memorial commemorates by name over 20,000 men and women of the air forces operatin in the Uk and North and Western Europe who were lost in the Second World War and have no known graves. We were welcomed by Megan Maltby and student tour guide Tilly who recounted many stories associated with names engraved on the white structure unveiled by HM The Queen in 1953. The engraved glass and painted ceilings were designed by John Hutton and a poem engraved on the gallery window was written by Paul H Scott. The overall effect was of a place of peace and serenity – a place of quiet remembrance.
Tilly told us a story of Noor Inayat Khan GC who was born in Moscow of an Indian Father and and an American Mother. The family moved to London and then Paris where in 1942 she was recruited by the SOE as a radio operator and sent into occupied France where she was betrayed and captured. Sent to a concentration camp she refused to divulge information and tragically was executed. In 1944 she was posthumously awarded the George Cross for her Bravery. It was reassuring that stories like this, of which there would be many more linked to the names on those walls, was recounted by young people all these years later – the importance of education about the effects of war can never be underestimated.
Our next visit was to Runnymede Meadows – the site of the signing of the Magna Carta, managed by the National Trust where we met Grenville Cheganis, General Manager, Surrey Landscapes Portfolio and his colleague, Jamie, for lunch, followed by a walk through the meadows stopping at various interesting points. We learned about the site and the installations that were featured there, the most important of which of course was the commemoration of the site of the sealing of the Magna Carta by King John in 1215. I felt very honoured to be present as the current High Sheriff of Surrey knowing that the original signing was witnessed by a predecessor High Sheriff of Surrey.
The symbolic significance in the story of democracy meant that the site was also chosen for the UK’s memorial of John F. Kennedy following his assassination on 14th May 1965. At the entrance to this particular memorial was a carved wooden gate funded by a lottery grant and created by a master craftsman who was working with young offenders at a prison – As the High Sheriff part of my responsibility is to support the judiciary and the work they do which includes the Judges, the prison services and the Police authority and I was pleased to learn that the feedback from the young offenders was that project was brilliant and they really loved it.
Another highlight was the inspiring architectural artwork by Mark Wallinger and Studio Octopi – ‘Writ in Water’ which was commissioned to mark the 800th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta and reflects upon the founding principles of democracy and provides visitors with a space for quiet contemplation. It really is worth a visit and the interior is unexpected and very cleverly created.
We then met two handlers from the Battersea Dogs Home branch which is based by Runneymede and is currently home to 80 dogs and 45 cats. We were delighted to meet Stan, a retired racing greyhound and Spider a small black puppy, both of whom we were pleased to learn have been found new homes. We bought them doggie ice creams to cool them down on this very hot afternoon.
Finally we travelled to D’Oyly Carte Island for the finale of Surrey Day 2025, where many others involved with the event met up to talk about their experiences and enjoy tea and cakes on the stunning island in the River Thames near Weybridge. Suzanne and I joined the Lord Lieutenant, the team from Visit Surrey, guests and BBC Surrey’s Mark Carter who conceived Surrey Day in the first place several years ago. Of course I had the chance to talk with him about my day live on air too. We were also lucky to be given a tour of the amazing and very unique house by owner Andy Hill who told us of its connection with Gilbert & Sullivan and the history of this really special place.
It was a lovely wrap up to a wonderful day celebrating the County in which we live and if you would like to share in our day you can watch this special video featuring all of the visits mentioned above.
Video/Photography – Andy Newbold.
