Archive for category: Dr Julie Llewelyn​ – High Sheriff of Surrey 2021-22

A visit to St Michael’s Church and the Maybury and Sheerwater Community Trust (MASCOT) showed the High Sheriff how joined-up work by churches, local authorities, voluntary and community groups and residents can strengthen and transform communities.

Dr Llewelyn met the Reverend Gillaine Holland and Tracey Francis, before walking to the MASCOT Hub in Sheerwater, Woking.

The Hub is a facility for the trust, community organisations and agencies for local residents. It’s the place to go for everything from a Foodbank to career support, computer support and language help. Citizens Advice Woking also pops in every Thursday.

At the Hub, Dr Llewelyn was delighted to present a High Sheriff Award to Eddy Valletta and Martin Smith for their hard work at the centre, supporting the community of Sheerwater and Maybury.

Afterwards, Dr Llewelyn visited volunteers from the church who help to run a pop-up café. It’s an after-school activity for primary age schoolchildren mostly from Broadmere Primary School and their parents and carers. The children enjoy a healthy snack and play games and crafts.

Dr Llewelyn said: “The pop-up café was full of local families from all faiths and it was wonderful to see everyone clearly having such a great time.”

North West Surrey Short Stay School’s brilliance at keeping young people in education dovetails exactly with Dr Llewelyn’s theme as High Sheriff – every child included.

So, she was pleased to accept Headteacher Paul Jackson’s invitation to visit the Kingsway Centre site in Woking and start to build a relationship with the school that will enrich students’ lives.

Dr Llewelyn spent three hours at NWSSSS meeting pupils and the dedicated staff who help them alter their attitudes, attain the resilience and skills to manage their behaviour and go on to succeed.

She learned that early intervention is key. The school has an excellent range of programmes carried out to meet individual student’s needs across both sites – Key Stage 3 pupils at Kingsway and KS4 students in Pyrford.

Dr Llewelyn also heard about other challenges the staff are facing, including budgetary.

Hundreds of Americans who died in the British Isles or its waters during World War I are honoured at Brookwood American Military Cemetery. The High Sheriff joined armed forces members and other dignitaries at the cemetery to lay wreaths to mark Veterans Day.

The commemorative ceremony is an annual public event hosted by the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC). The Commission is the guardian of 468 American graves and the dedication to 564 missing in action in the chapel.

The guests included US armed forces and their allies from the UK, France and other nations, the police force, the Scouts, and families and friends.

After the welcome by AMBC’s Superintendent and an introduction by Master of Ceremonies Laura Taylor, DOR, St James Chapter, the colours were posted and an invocation read by the British Army Chaplain.

A piper played Amazing Grace before the memorial address. Then Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy London, Ambassador Philip T Reeker, and senior officers in the US military laid wreaths, followed by the British military and dignitaries including Dr Llewelyn and Major General Tim Sulivan CB CBE, a Deputy Lieutenant of Surrey.

Both national anthems – God Save The Queen and The Star Spangled Banner – were played before the benediction and retiring of the colours.

Dr Llewelyn said: “It was an honour to attend the ceremony, which pays moving tribute to the many veterans from overseas who sacrificed their lives in the Great War. It also reminds us of the values and history we share with the United States and allied nations.”

Dr Llewelyn learned more about Guildford Shakespeare Company’s use of drama and the theatre to bring benefits to those who are struggling with a range of issues.

The Company works with disadvantaged schools to develop outreach projects using theatre to challenge social exclusion and mental health issues in our communities – subjects close to the High Sheriff’s heart.

During her visit, she spoke to the co-founder, Sarah Gobran, and Ant Stones and Rob Cann who both work on education and outreach. Dr Llewelyn heard about the bespoke workshops, talks and performances the GSC gives in schools and colleges in the south-east.

She said: “They do a great programme called ‘With my eyes’ where they work with children who are struggling at school and their families. They hope to run them again when funding is available.

“It was also interesting to hear how Shakespeare’s work provides an easily introduction to discussing issues such as bereavement, chaotic happenings and social isolation.”

Dr Llewelyn presented six Year 11 secondary school students with their certificates for completing a week-long Staines Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) course in the summer.

The evening event at Staines Prep School saw four students from Matthew Arnold School, two from Magna Carta School and one from the Phoenix Project awarded for attending the intensive leadership experience run by Staines Rotary Club.

Surrey Outdoor Learning & Development (SOLD) developed the residential RYLA course, which runs over five days. The main campus is at High Ashurst in Surrey, with a marine base near Richmond.

SOLD focuses on youth development. During the course, the young people learn and develop communication and problem-solving skills and unlock their potential to ‘turn motivation into action’ as dynamic leaders while having fun and building connections.

Before Dr Llewelyn presented the certificates, individual students and groups delivered presentations about their experiences to the audience, including parents, Staines Rotary President Jonathan McCarthy, other Rotarians, and the Deputy Lieutenant of Surrey, Nick Wood-Dow.

Afterwards, Dr Llewelyn said: “It was inspiring to hear the students’ stories about the course, and I’m sure many of them will use their experience to become motivational leaders in the future.”