Unity in Service.

In a beautiful service in Guildford Cathedral led by the Dean of Guildford, The Very Reverend Bob Cooper DL, on Sunday 6 September, those present celebrated and gave thanks to Surrey’s outgoing Lord-Lieutenant, Michael More-Molyneux CVO KStJ, and welcomed Surrey’s new Lord Lieutenant Neelam Dharni Devesher MBE.

As His Majesty’s representative in a county, the Lord Lieutenant serves the Sovereign and connects the communities of the county. It is the Lord-Lieutenant’s chief duty to uphold the dignity and position of the Crown by assisting and representing it in all aspects of county life. The Lord-Lieutenant follows the example of HM The King by encouraging voluntary service and benevolent organisations, and taking a deep interest in the commercial and social life of the county.

The Surrey Lieutenancy supports the values the Crown represents by celebrating, inspiring and promoting the value of exemplary service and endeavour in Surrey; and using the convening capability of the Surrey Lieutenancy to strengthen the links between the various communities. This will encourage teamwork, co-operation and mutual respect; which in turn will help to build community cohesion and common purpose. 

The role of the Lord-Lieutenant is strictly apolitical, similarly to the role of High Sheriff. However, unlike the role of High Sheriff which is merely a year, a Lord-Lieutenant fulfils the role until their 75th birthday.

Michael More-Molyneux has served as Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey for 11 years. Together with his wife Sarah, Michael has carried out the role with complete dedication and a genuine love for Surrey. It has been a great pleasure to work alongside Michael in the first six months of my Shrieval Year and a huge honour to have served as one of Michael’s Deputy Lieutenants for the past five years. A heartfelt thanks from me and everyone in Surrey.

Michael & Sarah at his farewell reception.

The new Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey - Neelam Dharni Devesher MBE, who was welcomed with a service held at Guildford Cathedral.
The new Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey – Neelam Dharni Devesher MBE.

Simultaneously, Surrey warmly welcomes Neelam Dharni Devesher. Guided by the belief that strong communities are built when rights and responsibilities go hand in hand, Neelam is committed to unity and to the values of fairness, respect, liberty, responsibility and the rule of law. Three guiding principles will shape Neelam’s fulfilment of the role of Lord Lieutenant:  (i) opening doors for Surrey’s next generation; (ii) bringing together all of Surrey’s communities irrespective of background, faith or walk of life; and (iii) celebrating the county of Surrey for all it has to offer. Neelam, I look forward to working with you!

Flying High!

In the warm September sunshine, over 530 Royal Air Force Air Cadets and 90 dedicated adult volunteers from Surrey Wing gathered at the historic Brooklands Museum for a day of competition and activities. The historic Weybridge site — famous for its aviation and motorsport heritage — provided the perfect backdrop for a day that brought the Surrey Wing’s squadrons together in force.

The annual “Field Day” is the flagship event for Surrey Wing, with cadets competing in competitions from archery to music, banner drill to aircraft recognition. In addition to the more traditional cadet competitions, the day also included more recent additions such as the STEM, robotics and Space challenges and an Escape Room.

The RAF Air Cadets motto is “Venture Adventure” which couldn’t be more apt. The cadets I spoke to, were all prepared to step forward to “embrace challenges, explore new experiences, and actively pursue personal growth”.

2026 is a landmark year for the RAF Air Cadets, since it marks the Cadets’ 85th anniversary. The RAF Cadets have trained and inspired generations of young people since its formation in 1941, and the turnout of hundreds of cadets and volunteers was a clear reflection of the organisation’s enduring appeal. Many long-serving staff and former cadets took the opportunity to reflect on their experiences, while newer recruits got a taste of the camaraderie that keeps cadets and volunteers coming back year after year.

It was a fantastic day which culminated in the Final Parade by all 531 cadets present under the watchful eyes of the Reviewing Officer, Group Captain Dr Vanessa Lawrence CB DL and Wing Commander John Machin DL.  There was not a step out of place!

http://www.surreywing.org/

You are my sunshine!

It is often said that “Music unites”, but it is wonderful to actually see it happen in practice.

My two Police Cadets and I joined Intergenerational Music Making.(IMM) at their monthly “All Ages Community Hub” at the United Reformed Church in Guildford for a morning of music-making, singing and – if you felt so inclined – dance.  Through music, IMM succeeds in creating a welcoming space where generations can come together, build relationships and feel part of their community, thus reducing loneliness and social isolation, improving people’s wellbeing and confidence, as well as strengthening connections between the different ages.

It was a very joyful and – at times – noisy morning.  Dylan and Husam discovered hidden talents for the tambourine and maracas, and we all sang about the colours of the rainbow; the whole world being in His hand, and warning people that “she will be coming round the mountain” wearing pink pyjamas.

We all left with a huge smile on our faces and a spring in our step.  IMM clearly brings a lot of sunshine into people’s lives.

https://www.imm-music.com

#unitedreformedchurchguildford #intergenerationalmusicmaking #community #highsheriffofsurrey #allagescommunityhubguildford

Big Lunch in Hale.

On Thursday 3rd September, the Hale Community and Youth Centre in Farnham threw open its doors for its annual Big Lunch. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the Centre’s community and share the delicious food provided by Joyful Greens, a plant-based community cookery school based in Godalming.

The Hale Community and Youth Centre is a community hub for all who live in Hale and particularly those on the Sandy Hill Estate.  It provides a warm, welcoming space and seeks to give a voice to those in an area where there are deep levels of deprivation, helping them integrate with the wider community.  

The Centre is located in an area of significant deprivation, but the overriding impression within the Centre is of an inclusive, warm and friendly environment. All of its services and activities are aimed at reducing loneliness and isolation; improving lifestyle, diet and health (both mental and physical); developing new skills and strengths; providing advice, help and support; building confidence; and giving a sense of purpose and worth to individuals.

Many of the initiatives offered are entirely led and run by volunteers, e.g: a community fridge and cupboard; “Stay-and-play” sessions for parents with pre-school aged children; a clothes bank; an art club or a weekly “Sing for Joy” adult choir.  A large number of volunteers first came as beneficiaries and the great majority come from the immediate neighbourhood.  Since they understand the needs of local people, they are able to initiate new services and activities to meet those needs and to adapt them to meet changing needs. This has been particularly evident with the arrival of migrant families on the Sandy Hill Estate where initial tensions have been greatly reduced through opportunities to meet socially at the Centre.

It was very uplifting to meet both the outgoing manager Melissa Salisbury and her successor Jonny Marshall, as well as the Chair of Trustees John Lewis and a great many of the wonderfully dedicated and energetic volunteers. My tummy felt rather “uplifted” too after all the delicious food…

https://www.halecommunitycentre.org.uk

https://www.joyfullgreens.com

A Safe Haven.

27 August 2026

The Amber Foundation seeks to help young people aged 18 to 30, who are unemployed and homeless, sofa surfing or struggling with where they are living, to get back on their feet and rebuild their lives. The charity operates four centres across England — in Devon, Wiltshire, Kent and Surrey — with a focus on health and wellbeing; personal development; independent living; education; and employability. Residents typically stay for six to nine months, moving through three stages: “Induction”, “Development” and “Move-on”, with the goal of leaving Amber with both a job and a home arranged.

I enjoyed a hugely informative visit to Farm Place, Amber’s supported homeless housing service in Surrey, which is based in Ockley near Dorking. Louise Cheung, Amber’s Senior Fundraising Managerin Surrey, showed Hazel Watson, Vice-Chair of Mole Valley District Council; John Milne MP for Horsham and his wife, and me around the main house and the various outbuildings.  We admired the allotments which seemed to overflow with beans and herbs, as well as the new outdoor covered space for the residents to enjoy, which was funded by a recent grant from Your Fund Surrey.

Louise explained how at Farm Place up to 27 young people live and work together in teams under Team Leaders. They take part in community projects, leadership courses, fitness sessions and creative activities. Referrals come from local authorities, social services, probation and prison services, homelessness hostels, and drug and alcohol teams, or young people can self-refer.

We met several residents who spoke openly about their lives and the fantastic support that is helping them to turn their lives around. Daily life includes shared cooking and cleaning rotas, maintenance projects, and practical workshops on budgeting, banking, writing CVs and tenancies. Fundraising provides just over half of Amber’s income, and remarkably, 92p of every £1 donated goes directly to front-line support.

The atmosphere was warm, relaxed and full of quiet confidence. About 80% of young people at Amber’s four sites report mental health as a challenge, and a similar proportion say they have maintained or improved their mental health during their stay. This is a testament to the Foundation’s impact.  

Multi-coloured sheep?!

26 August 2026

It is not very often that one sees 13 multi-coloured sheep dotted around the Surrey landscape and the chairman of Mole Valley District Council with a Dorking cockerel named Charles under his arm…  However, that is exactly what was on show at Denbies Wine Estate this afternoon!

Denbies Wine Estate hosted the official opening of “The Sheep Parade” – a colourful art project with a serious message organised by the Surrey Hills National Landscape team in partnership with local sheep farmers.

The project celebrates the vital role sheep play in shaping and maintaining the Surrey Hills landscape. Their grazing helps manage vegetation naturally – it supports wildflowers, insects and birds and reduces the need for more intensive land management. Protecting sheep therefore plays an important role in supporting nature recovery.  An important way to protect sheep is encouraging responsible dog ownership and keeping dogs on leads around sheep. This is not only to prevent physical attacks on sheep, but also to reduce the number of other stressful interactions, such as a dog running close to sheep, chasing them, or barking at them. Such brief interactions can create significant stress for sheep. In some cases, this stress alone can lead to injury, ewes becoming separated from lambs, or longer-term welfare impacts.

The organisers hope that spotting the colourful flock of life-sized sheep sculptures, each uniquely decorated by a Surrey artist, will remind people of the simple message to keep dogs on leads around sheep. It will prevent both distress and harm and will ensure that farmers, walkers and animals can share the countryside safely.

The sheep will “parade” across the Surrey Hills throughout the year. Please visit the Surrey Hills National Landscape website for further details:  https://surreyhills.org/

Sparking enthusiasm – Surrey Fire & Rescue Service Open Day.

22 August 2026

Whilst the current hot dry summer is enjoyed by many, it also comes with risks. A small spark can set the tinder dry fields, heathlands and woodlands alight. The Surrey Fire & Rescue Service crews have been busy over the past few weeks, but yesterday’s Open Day showed that they are fully equipped and  prepared for anything.

It was very impressive to see all the equipment, the training, and the sheer readiness as well as passion of the crews. It makes one realise how much skill and preparation sits behind every emergency call, and in a summer like this, this work matters more than ever.

Fire fighters demonstrated rescue techniques, showed the various different pieces of firefighting equipment and explained how they worked, and answered a steady stream of questions from curious visitors.  For me the most exciting thing was being able to sit in a real fire engine – a childhood dream come true!

Days like this do more than entertain. They build trust, spark interest in future recruits, and remind everyone just how much we rely on the people who are there when things go wrong – often at a cost to their own wellbeing. If you have a moment, please watch the short powerful film made by the Fire Fighters Charity in the below link:

https://www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/.

HMS Stirling Castle.

It is not every day that one gets invited aboard a Royal Navy ship to be given a guided tour and be offered a first-hand insight into her role and capabilities, as well as the work undertaken by the sailors who serve in her.

However, on 28th July, I felt hugely privileged to be invited to join the Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey, Michael More-Molyneux CVO and a number of civic, military and community representatives from throughout Surrey on board HMS Stirling Castle.

The visit marked the entering into of an historic Affiliation Agreement between HMS Stirling Castle and the County of Surrey. The affiliation will strengthen civic and military links, foster greater understanding of the Royal Navy’s role, and create opportunities for engagement between the ship’s company and communities across Surrey. Through future visits, community engagement activities, ceremonial events and educational initiatives, HMS Stirling Castle and Surrey will work together to develop a partnership founded on shared values, mutual respect and service.

HMS Stirling Castle is at the forefront of the Royal Navy’s transformation of mine hunting and maritime autonomy. By embracing innovative technologies and autonomous systems, HMS Stirling Castle is helping to ensure the Royal Navy remains ready to meet evolving threats in an increasingly complex maritime environment.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Commanding Officer of the Ship, Commander Philip Harper RN, and the Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey during a ceremony on board the ship. Michael More-Molyneux, the Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey, said:

“This is a momentous day for the County of Surrey and its relationship with the Royal Navy and HMS Stirling Castle. Surrey has a proud history of supporting our Armed Forces.  Our affiliation with HMS Stirling Castle marks a new chapter in this ongoing relationship and the Surrey Lieutenancy looks forward to supporting the Ship, her Commanding Officer and Ship’s Company in future”.

It was a highly informative day, and I hope that the affiliation will benefit both the ship’s company and the communities of Surrey for many years to come.

Graduation Day at Royal Holloway.

Main Photo – L-R; Dr Kaat Smets (Head of Department of Politics, International Relations and Philosophy, The High Sheriff of Surrey 2026-27 – Mrs Joosje Hamilton DL, Professor Julie Sanders (Vice-Chancellor and Principal), Dr Chris Prosser (Orator for Professor Pippa Norris), Professor Pippa Norris (Honorary awardee), Sue Heath (Mace bearer).

Graduating from university is a significant moment and Graduation Day is the formal recognition and celebration of years of hard work.

On 27th July, I felt honoured to be invited to attend the Graduation Ceremony for graduates from the Department of Politics, International Relations and Philosophy at Royal Holloway, University of London.  

An honorary degree of Doctor of Science was awarded to Professor Pippa Norris, a British American political scientist at Harvard University specialising in comparative politics, democracy and elections. Professor Norris wished the graduates well for their futures, even if it is not always clear what those futures will hold. Like Odysseus’s ten-year journey back from Troy to Ithaca, the future may be a long, uncertain path, testing patience, cunning, and self-control along the way.  Ultimately, however, this path will take you to where you truly belong.

It was a pleasure to celebrate the students’ successes and see the incredibly proud faces of their families and friends. Many congratulations!

Messing About In Boats.

Ratty in “Wind in the Willows” opined that “There is nothing — absolutely nothing — half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.” and the Surrey Care Trust (SCT) proves just that.  By engaging vulnerable people in nature-based activities, such as boating, gardening, and outdoor activities, the SCT seeks to help people combat multiple complex issues such as isolation, loneliness, poor mental health, unemployment, low skills, and poverty.

On 20th July, I joined two SCT volunteers and a team from the Surrey Probation Service on SCT’s workboat the “Swingbridge Endeavour”.  The team from the Probation Service joined the boat to complete various nature-based projects as part of the “Community Payback scheme” – a court-ordered scheme where individuals complete between 40 and 300 hours of unpaid work to make reparations for crimes. The physical work, such as clearing wasteland, removing graffiti, and decorating community centres, not only benefits local neighbourhoods and the public, but also helps participants to gain new skills and to avoid re-offending.

Having embarked at Dapdune Wharf in Guildford, we sailed up the River Wey towards Burpham where the team had been asked to replace a fallen-down gate with a robust new post & rail fence to prevent cattle from straying onto the A3.

By the end of the day, I had equally acquired some new skills.  Not only do I now know how to drive fence posts into the ground without bashing my fingers, I was also taught how to operate a boat lock safely and efficiently and I was even allowed to helm the boat parts of the way!

It was a hugely interesting and enjoyable day – a day which brought out the best in everyone.  The benefits of the SCT’s work are clear to see.

www.surreycaretrust.org.uk