Guildford Legal Walk 2026 – 1 July 2026

Going for a walk in the picturesque Surrey countryside is a rather pleasant way to spend a sunny summer’s evening. When the walk is then also in aid of a good cause, the walk is not only pleasant but hugely worthwhile too.

Yesterday evening, the Mayor of Guildford – Councillor Jane Tyson – and I joined a large group of legal professionals on a beautiful fundraising walk, which led us over Pewley Down and along the River Wey. The walk was organised by DJ Lynda Nightingale from the Guildford Family and County Court and the London Legal Support Trust (LLTS) to raise funds in aid of providing vulnerable people in London and the South East with access to justice.

Demand for legal advice services has risen dramatically over the past year. The rising cost of living has heaped immense pressure on legal advice charities who are struggling to cope with such unprecedented demand. It is important that people should be able to receive legal advice when they need it most.

The LLST supports charities that deliver such essential free legal advice on issues such as homelessness, domestic violence, employment and provision of care. By providing grants, supporting sector infrastructure, and helping legal advice agencies reduce costs and save money via pro bono or discounted schemes, the LLST ensures that these charities can continue to help people in difficult circumstances.

Find out more at https://londonlegalsupporttrust.org.uk

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In Memoriam – Dame Penelope Keith DBE DL – 29th June 2026

I was saddened to hear the news that Dame Penelope Keith DBE DL had died of cancer at her home in Surrey, aged 86.

Dame Penelope was High Sheriff of Surrey in 2002-2003 – only the third woman to have been appointed since this ancient office was created more than 1,000 years ago. At her installation ceremony as High Sheriff, Dame Penelope said that she was honoured to have been chosen for this office and that she saw it as an opportunity to make a contribution to the Surrey community – helping to “focus attention on some of the marvellous work that is being done in the county, particularly by volunteers.”

Dame Penelope has certainly done that and she has been deeply committed to various Surrey charities throughout her life.  In 1998, Dame Penelope became a Patron for the Surrey-based charity Transform Housing and Support supporting homeless and vulnerable individuals.  A passionate advocate for the countryside and British heritage, Dame Penelope was President of the Southwest Surrey chapter of the National Trust, served as Deputy President of the Surrey Agricultural Society and supported rural preservation, bringing her advocacy to the screen in documentaries like ⁠”Penelope Keith’s Hidden Villages”.  For several years, Dame Penelope was also a Trustee of the aviation and motor Brooklands Museum in Weybridge, helping preserve Surrey’s rich engineering heritage.

We are all extremely grateful and we shall miss her.

“Our Time” exhibition.

Over recent years, I have started looking forward to a particular invitation arriving in my inbox. It is an invitation from Sally Varah MBE DL, the Chair of the Michael Varah Memorial Fund, to the Private View of a very special exhibition called “Our Time” which is held inside HMP Send.

“Our Time” shows the work from woman artists – some who are residents; others who are alumnae – who take part in weekly Watts Gallery Trust Art workshops at HMP Send led by their tutor Sophie Artemis. The artists all use different mediums, have very different styles and chose different subject matters for their work, but what they all have in common is the sheer joy and pride they take in their work.

It is such a pleasure to speak with the artists learning the stories behind their art and hearing them explain how their techniques have developed over time. Most of the artists had never engaged with art before enrolling in the workshops.

Thanks to the aspirations of the two co-founders and the pioneering partnership between HMP Send, the Watts Gallery Trust and the Michael Varah Memorial Fund, this year’s exhibition was already the ninth and each exhibition seems to be even more professional than the last.

Since the first exhibition in 2017, more than 1,590 artworks have been exhibited and over £7,998 has been donated by the “Our Time” artists to support victims of crime in Surrey from the proceeds of having sold their works. However, in my view, the most wonderful consequences of this exceptional in-prison exhibition are the satisfaction and sense of achievement it brings to the women. As the foreword of the exhibition catalogue says “It is exhilarating and expands our horizons.  Thank you for believing in us as artists”.

Armed Forces Week – 21 and 22 June 2026

Armed Forces Week provides a chance to thank and show support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community: currently serving sailors, soldiers and aviators on active duty, reservists, veterans, military families, and the cadets training in communities across the UK.

To mark the start of Armed Forces Week, a special service of thanks was held at Guildford Cathedral and led by the Dean of Guildford Cathedral, The Very Reverend Bob Cooper DL, on Sunday 21st June. The service recognised the Armed Forces’ vital contribution to the life of our nation, the Commonwealth and beyond and supported the work of Surrey Joint Services’ Charities (Royal British Legion, Army Benevolent Fund and SSAFA) which provide valuable assistance to all members of the Armed Forces (serving and ex-service) and their families in Surrey.

Following the Service, the congregation joined the Lord Lieutenant, the Dean, senior military figures and dignitaries from across the County outside on the steps of the Cathedral to attend the Armed Forces Day Flag-Raising and watch the March-Past and Inspection of more than 400 cadets from the Sea Cadets, Volunteer Cadet Corps, Army Cadets, Air Cadets and the Combined Cadet Force.  Despite the very hot weather and blazing midday sun, all cadets maintained a very high standard of uniform and drill – very well done!

On Monday, the Armed Forces Flag was also raised at the Guildhall in Guildford reflecting the Borough’s year-round commitment through the Armed Forces Covenant.

As High Sheriff, I am proud to support Armed Forces Week and would like to add my sincere thanks to all those who have served, and continue to serve, our country.

A Celebration of Courage.

The Big Leaf Foundation invited me to join them for their celebration to mark National Refugee Week 2026 and what a joyful, vibrant, musical celebration it was!

Refugee Week is a large arts and cultural festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary in the UK. The theme for this year’s Refuge Week was “Courage” – a skill that was amply displayed by the extraordinary young people I met that evening. 

The Big Leaf Foundation seeks to help young refugees in Surrey to rebuild their lives after displacement from their home countries. It does so by providing a nurturing programme of activities, projects and events – for instance, the Big Leaf Foundation helps the young people to improve their English, prepare for GCSEs and other qualifications; and access local clubs to play sports, music, etc. These projects help to combat social isolation and assist the young people to build fulfilling new lives integrated into Surrey communities.

The celebration showed us what amazing effects the Big Leaf Foundation’s work has. The young people were quietly confident and had clearly established firm friendships within both the Big Leaf and the local communities. We were treated to an art exhibition of beautifully vivid felt bowls, which expressed each artist’s interpretation of the colour of “courage”.  This was followed by the most delicious Eritrean meal of injera – a fermented flatbread made from teff flour – topped with a variety of vegetable stews and a Big Band concert. Violins, drums, a keyboard, a trumpet and vocals performed a range of stirring folk songs embodying “courage” – one of the songs enjoyed its premier as it had only been composed by the band that afternoon.

It was a wonderfully uplifting evening which sent us all away with an extra spring in our step.

Vist the Big Leaf website at: https://www.bigleaffoundation.org.uk

Some Enchanted Evening in June!

After a week of rather autumnal weather, the clouds parted and the sun appeared just as the guests were arriving for the High Sheriff’s Summer Party.  What perfect timing!

The High Sheriff’s Summer Party seeks to acknowledge and celebrate individuals and groups who contribute to the community through public service, charity work, and voluntary efforts. It is therefore a party to celebrate the guests – to celebrate that each and every one forms a large part of Surrey life and works hard to make that life a little better for our fellow human beings – every day, all year round and very often in addition to a day job.

Before I became High Sheriff and started my Shrieval Year in April, I realised that Surrey was an active county and that an awful lot was being achieved and/or provided by its large voluntary sector. However, over the last two months I have already discovered that I had only realised a fraction of what was happening in the County.

Surrey’s voluntary sector is phenomenal. It provides services in all manner of spheres – services that people need and are dependent upon; whether it be mental health care; elderly care; education; domestic abuse, to name but a few. No national government will be able to deliver all the services the voluntary sector currently provides with such dedication and passion.

It is all our duty to support this important work, because this work is under threat – due to an insecure financial landscape and/or people not having the time to volunteer. Worryingly, however, the need for these services is on the increase.

One area where the voluntary sector in Surrey provides an exemplar service is Domestic Abuse. Sadly, the general perception that Domestic Abuse is rare in Surrey is not true. Statistics show that a third of homes in Surrey, as well as an increasing number of people younger than 16 are affected by it. I therefore want to use my Shrieval Year to help “break the cycle of domestic abuse” – both through working with children and young people and through working with perpetrators:  holding them to account and preventing them from becoming repeat offenders.

Dr Mike Kelly JP – the Under Sheriff and Chair of the Bench – and I are currently planning a workshop/conference on the prevention of domestic abuse in March 2027. Various organisations and people have said they are keen to get involved, so let’s hope we can organise a practical and effective event. We can shine a light on the good work that is being done in the County and – possibly more importantly – try to fill the gaps in the provision or areas needing improvement. More specific details will follow in due course.

Let’s raise a glass all Surrey’s volunteers – and the Police Cadets in particular for being immaculate parking attendants, waiters and ambassadors – without you the County would be a poorer place.

Duke of Edinburgh Awards Celebrate 70 Years of Adventure.

For seventy years, the Duke of Edinburgh Awards (DofE) have stood for youth empowerment, resilience, and adventure. Established in 1956 by HRH Prince Philip, the charity is now celebrating its Diamond Jubilee.

What began as a modest initiative to help boys bridge the gap between leaving formal education at 15 and starting National Service at 18, DofE has now evolved into a global phenomenon across more than 130 countries and territories helping young people aged 14–24 discover their potential.

The core ethos of DofE has remained unchanged: pushing personal boundaries, developing tangible life skills, and fostering a deep-rooted spirit of community service. Whatever their ability, interest or background, DofE offers young people the chance to strive for achievement, overcome obstacles, and set their minds to a personal challenge.

To celebrate this milestone in Surrey, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey – Michael More-Molyneux CVO – hosted a wonderful reception at Loseley Park on 11 June.

It was an inspiring evening. CEO Ruth Marvel told us about the organisation’s plans to engage evenmore young people in the future, especially those who face the greatest barriers. The aim of DofE is that very young person, whatever their background, has the chance to discover what they are capable of and shape their future with confidence. We heard from three DofE participants how the awards had changed their lives; how HMP Bronzefield has implemented the scheme within its Rehabilitation and Recovery Programme for women prisoners; and we had an opportunity to speak to various Surrey charities who create volunteering opportunities for DofE participants.

The evening shone a light on the important benefits of participating in DofE. HRH Prince Philip once said: “There is more in you than you might think.” and the Awards help people realise that.

Royal Holloway Honorary Fellows Ceremony.

On 10th June, I felt honoured to be invited to the Honorary Fellows Ceremony at Royal Holloway, University of London.

It was a beautiful evening seeing the sun streaming into the golden chapel and listening to heavenly music by the Royal Holloway Choir performing pieces by Gerald Finzi, Jonathan Dove, Charles Wood and César Franck.  After the ceremony, the guests were treated to a performance by Yuting Zhao, a PhD student in the Department of Music, playing the “guzheng”, sometimes known as the Chinese zither or harp, in the splendid Picture Gallery of the University.

Many congratulations to the new Honorary Fellows: former High Sheriff of Surrey Shahid Azeem DL, Ann Ewing, Gerry O’Hagan and Jarmila Yu. Their commitment to Royal Holloway has been significant and -undoubtedly – they will continue to contribute to the academic life of the university for many years to come.  

A very well-deserved honour!

https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/honorary-fellows-programme

Fundraising Golf Day in Aid of the High Sheriff Youth Awards.

On 9 June, the immaculate West Hill Golf Club – once again – hosted the Annual High Sheriff Youth Awards (HSYA) Golf Day in aid of his wonderful charity. Judging by the smiles on all the golfers’ faces, the course provided its challenges, some competitiveness, but also a lot of camaraderie and fun.

HSYA was set up in 1993 and acquired charity status in 2004 (originally as the “High Sheriff Awards for Surrey”) with the purpose of making a tangible difference to the lives of young people across the county.

Over the years, HSYA has supported a wide range of projects and charities focused on improving outcomes for young people and contributing to safer communities.  The projects touch a variety of causes:

•           Mental health and general well being

•           Sexual violence

•           Displaced young people

•           Young people struggling with mainstream education

•           Crime

•           Anti-social behaviour

Last year, HSYA supported 15 local charities awarding some £53,000.  Funding has historically come from public authorities, including Surrey County Council (SCC), the Boroughs and Districts, the Police and Crime Commissioner, as well as charitable trusts and individual donors. In recent years, however, contributions have reduced significantly. With Local Government Reorganisation confirmed and the two new Unitary Authorities taking office in May 2027, the future funding landscape is uncertain. However, demand is ever increasing.

That is why the Golf Day and individual donors are more important than ever. On behalf of all the young people of Surrey whose lives the HSYA can touch and make a little better as a result – Thank you to all the players!

Huge thanks should also go to Folio 3 for sponsoring the event; Srixon for proving the equipment on the course; the team behind putting this day together being: Ken Schofield, Julian Wakeling assisted by Shahid Azeem, Chris Critchlow and Ron Enticott; as well as Mike Slee and Peter Metz for monitoring the “Hole-in-One” competition.

HSYA is equally grateful to Tony Jamieson for being such a highly efficient auctioneer, all the generous donors of prizes and auction items, and of course the generosity of all the bidders.

Finally, this Day could not have happened without West Hill Golf Club who invited us back and who were the most wonderful hosts.

@https://www.westhillgc.co.uk http://www.surreyhighsheriff.org

Care Trust Celebrates the Power of People.

On Friday 5th June, Surrey Care Trust (SCT) hosted a special evening at Denbies Wine Estate to celebrate the “Power of People” thanking its incredible volunteers for the life-changing impact they achieve together across Surrey.

For over forty years, the SCT has been working with volunteers to help vulnerable young people, families, and adults to improve their lives.  The SCT provides long term services that understand and respond to local people’s needs.

Most of the SCT’s beneficiaries live with multiple, complex issues like isolation and loneliness, poor mental health, unemployment, low skills, poverty, and family breakdown.  The SCT therefore seeks to offer a diverse range of holistic long-term support and confidence boosting skills training.  The SCT engages vulnerable people in nature-based activities, such as boating, gardening, and outdoor activities.  The SCT is a firm advocate of bringing people together – this makes our communities stronger and helps people break their cycle of disadvantage.

The evening also provided an opportunity for everyone to express their heartfelt thanks to Sir Adrian White CBE DL, who until February this year was President of the SCT, for his many years of dedication to the Trust and to welcome Richard Whittington DL as SCT’s new President.  

It was an inspiring evening, and I very much look forward to my day of volunteering on one of the SCT Swingbridge Community Boats – possibly donning overall and wellies rather than my High Sheriff uniform….

www.surreycaretrust.org.uk