The Prostate Project – So Many Lives Can be Saved if Prostate Cancer is Detected Early Enough.

Sadly, due to Shrieval duties, I had to cancel my holiday this week, but as that freed up a few hours, I took the opportunity to doing something positive for myself. Medefer and the Prostate Project were offering free testing today at the Cathedral in Guildford. Normally life gets in the way and arranging to have a blood test, which only takes a couple of minutes, never seems to find a place in the diary. However, as Martin Davies, Chair of The Prostate Project explained, so many lives can be saved if prostate cancer is detected early enough. Currently in the UK, 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetimes. Unfortunately, many cases go undetected in the early stages because symptoms often don’t appear until after the cancer has advanced. 

The Grange at Bookham – A Unique, Creative & Vibrant Place for People with Special Needs or Learning Difficulties.

Suzanne and I certainly did not pick the best day weatherwise to visit The Grange and tour round its 8 beautiful acres; but we enjoyed a very warm welcome from Alison Keeley (CEO), Felicity Parsons (Marketing, Communication and Fund-raising Lead) and many members of staff and residents.

The Grange has at its heart a beautiful old 19th century house which became the home of the School of Stitchery and Lace in 1938 with the aim to ensure women with disabilities developed skills to earn an income and live independently. Over time this developed into as place offering housing and support to both men and women with learning difficulties. They are a regulated care provider, a charity and a housing association and provide three services – Residential Care for those with higher care needs, Supported Living for people working towards independence and Skills & Activities – a wide range of training, work experience and mini businesses.

We saw a number of activities in action including, pottery, woodwork, horticulture, cooking, creative arts (mosaic, needlework, embroidery) and also learned many activities occur off-site with residents participating both recreationally and in gainful employment locally. The highlight was a delicious afternoon tea with raspberry and white chocolate scones made and served by the residents. Anyone can come for afternoon tea if they book in advance and it is also possible to hire the beautiful ballroom and conservatory for events.  I will certainly be booking in another visit, hopefully when the sun shines.  

Surrey Police Dog Training Centre – Mount Browne,

 

This had been a date long anticipated in the calendar. An opportunity to visit the Surrey Police Dog Training Centre at Mount Browne Surrey Police Headquarters in Guildford. Earlier in my Shrieval year I had seen the explosive detection dogs in operation at Gatwick Airport but Suzanne and I had the pleasure of meeting Sergeant JJ Jones for a tour of the Dog Training School. We were delighted to be joined by Ellie Vesey-Thompson, the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner. Sergeant Jones explained they are a trainer and provider of specially trained dogs for countries all over the world and their team of highly qualified instructors and kennel staff are experienced in dealing with all aspects of police and security dog training. A such, they are an income generating unit of Surrey Police. They have some 100 dogs based at the Centre, though housed with their handlers overnight. The dogs commence active training when one year old and continue in service until aged 8 or 9. They use spaniels and german shepherd dogs and there is specific training for explosive detection, drugs, cash and firearms detection, victim recovery and forensic evidence detection, and digital evidence detection. Just as importantly courses are run to train the dog handlers. They also operate a breeding programme as the success rate of a dog successfully completing training is higher. I am not sure Suzanne and my two Bernese Mountain Dogs would pass muster! It was a most enjoyable, informative tour.

The Maybury Support Group.

It is rare to be able to sit down and eat when carrying out Shrieval visits, so Suzanne and I were delighted when we visited the Maybury Support Group to find that they had laid on a veritable feast of samosas, pakora and chana chat for us to enjoy. It was one of numerous pleasures we enjoyed on our visit.

Set up in 2023, by the indefatigable Abdul Hamid, its purpose is to support the local community by providing a number of activities for both able bodied and disabled. The objective is to empower and educate the local community so they are better able to look after themselves. They run weekly coffee mornings for both men and women, local swim classes, excursions and on a Saturday afternoon (when we attended) a communal gathering at the Sheerwater Youth Centre. When we arrived it was a hive of activity with table tennis, badminton and pool games in full swing. Recent funding has allowed the use of a minibus to bring local disabled people to attend and everyone was enjoying the friendship and companionship that the session allowed. For many loneliness and isolation is an issue which started in COVID and has not easily been remedied. Support has been given from Surrey County Council, the Community Foundation for Surrey, Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum and Active Surrey to help develop the Support Group and from humble beginnings there were over 50 people in attendance when we visited.

It was a pleasure to be joined by Beccy Bowden from the Community Foundation for Surrey and Neelam Devesher from Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum who both addressed those gathered voicing their support. Abdul Hamid should be justifiably proud, together with his other trustees, for the wonderful supportive community they have created and the safe space and joyful camaraderie that the Maybury Support Group promotes.

Elmbridge Young Persons of Honour Awards 2026

Suzanne and I enjoyed a special night at Imber Court Sports Club in East Molesey where the Elmbridge Young Persons of Honour Awards took place.

First held in 2009, each year it celebrates, recognises and rewards positive behaviour, resilience, and community contributions by young people aged 8-18 with nominations covering areas such as bravery, courage, overcoming adversity, kindness, young carers, and role models. Master of Ceremonies was Phil Jubb, ever present in organising the awards as a police officer until he stepped down last year. Now, working with Fearless, the under 18 arm of CrimeStoppers (who were the main sponsors of the evening)  he presided over the awarding of 14 individual honours.

All the stories were heart-warming; some were tinged with sadness, and one was life-saving as a 12 year old young lady performed the Heimlich Maneuver to save the life of a neighbour who had been driving her in her car when she choked on a hard-boiled sweet.  In all cases the fortitude and resilience of the young person was amazing. 

Martin and Tara Cosser, who founded Charlie’s Promise, were also in attendance and presented an award in Charlie’s name.

Steve Bax, Mayor of Elmbridge and Mick Duthie, Director of Operations at CrimeStoppers helped Suzanne and I give out the awards with the help of my two police cadets Imogen and Grace.

An inspiring evening.

YMCA East Surrey – Caterham, Chaldon and Whyteleafe Youth Club.

Suzanne and I were delighted to be invited to visit the Caterham, Chaldon and Whyteleafe Youth Club run by the YMCA at St Johns Church Hall in Caterham. Jeremy Webster the SCC Divisional Councillor met us there with Pat Cannon, who as a Council Member for the High Sheriff Youth Awards assessed the Youth Club last year which led to the approval of a grant to help support the club. Accompanied by my two police cadets, Imogen and Grace, Suzanne and I arrived just in time to enjoy some delicious banana bread which had been baked by some of the year 6-8 young people who attend the earlier session on a Thursday between 3.45-5.15pm. They also enjoyed a glow disco party which was great fun. After a quick turn around years 9-11 are welcomed from 6.15-8.15pm. Fiona Oldam and her team from the YMCA ensures there is never a dull moment. There are spaces available for local young people to come along with free transport provision, so come and join the fun!

Bloomin’ Arts – Theatre, Dance and Visual Arts.

Suzanne and I had been overwhelmed by the puppet show that Bloomin’ Arts put on last year at the Daisyfest event at G-Live; and we were therefore delighted to be invited to one of their dance sessions at their home in Lingfield.

Bloomin’ Arts offers creative arts courses to learning disabled, physically disabled and neurodiverse adults. They offer a variety of courses in a fun, friendly and relaxed place where people can explore and develop their skills and love of the theatre, dance and visual arts. We sat in on a wonderful session where the participants were being encouraged to create their own choreographed dance to popular musical numbers. Everyone was so full engaged in the session led by Clare and Charlotte, while Suzanne, Imogen (one of my police cadets), and Hayley Bull (CEO of Bloomin’ Arts) clapped along.

It was clear to see the joy and release that music and dance brings to people who have challenges in their day to day lives and a was a real privilege to be there to join in.

WARREN CLARK GOLFING DREAMS!

It doesn’t take much persuasion to get me to go to a golf club, if only there were more hours in the day!

I therefore greatly enjoyed visiting Horne Park Golf Club where Suzanne and I had the pleasure of meeting Warren Clark and his mum Dawn. Warren has autism, learning difficulties and a curvature of the spine but despite these challenges has set up a charity, Warren Clark Golfing Dreams to help people like himself. He has demonstrated how adversity can be overcome when in 2019 at the Special Olympics he won a gold medal in golf.

The charity delivers Starting New at Golf (SNAG) and Tri-Golf sessions to disabled and disadvantaged individuals and groups and aims to make a difference to the lives of participants, encouraging them to be socially active and challenge themselves.

They have now received full planning permission to build an inclusive centre which will provide an accessible community/sports hall, training kitchen, changing room facility, sensory room, quiet/prayer room and will offer inclusive community events and training in golf, multi-sports, bar and catering, retail, front of house and groundsman duties. It will also offer health and well-being facilities. Fund-raising is now underway to enable construction to begin and when completed the centre will provide opportunities for disabled and disadvantaged people to learn skills and attain qualifications to help find employment.

I was also able to demonstrate my less than impressive golfing skills in their golf simulator, in front of the Chair of Tandridge Council, Mike Crane, who was also in attendance and is a strong supporter of the charity.

Happy 100th Birthday Ivy!

Suzanne and I had the wonderful honour of wishing Ivy Batchelor a very happy 100th birthday. A resident of Le Personne Homes, an Almshouse charity in Caterham, it was a pleasure to spend time in her company. Still as sharp as a pin and agile on her feet, she still goes out on the bus regularly and is a member of the Salvation Army. The 12th of 13 children, she is herself a mother, grandmother, a great grandmother and recently a great, great grandmother.

There are 43 flats at Le Personne and most of the residents were there to sing Happy Birthday and watch Ivy cut her cake. There was a lovely atmosphere and it was also great to meet some of the team and Chair of Trustees, Pat Cannon.

2025/26 Elmbridge ‘Junior Citizen’ Child Safety Event.

Suzanne and I, accompanied by the Mayor of Elmbridge and other local dignitaries, attended the Elmbridge ‘Junior Citizen’ Child Safety Event’s VIP Day which was held at the Sandown Park Racecourse in Esher.

Running from the 12th to the 20th January, the event brought together around a thousand year 6 primary school pupils from across the borough – pupils who are at an important stage in their lives as they prepare to transition from primary to secondary school. The event provided the children with the opportunity to participate in a number of interactive safety workshops which this year covered a range of topics designed to help the pupils to stay safe in the future. Participating organisations included South East Coast Ambulance Service, Surrey Child and Family Health (School Nurses), Network Rail/ South Western Railway/ British Transport Police, Thames Basin Heaths Partnership, Places for People Leisure and Take the JUMP.

We witnessed safety education workshops, which included pupils and teachers from Chandlers Field Primary School in West Molesey and Cranmere Primary School in Esher. For more information visit the Child Safety Media website at – https://www.childsafetymedia.co.uk/2025-26-elmbridge-junior-citizen-child-safety-event/