Fire & Iron – The Quinnell School of Blacksmithing – doing their bit for the Community!

My year as High Sheriff certainly has provided variety and an introduction to many wonderful hidden treasures in Surrey; and my visit to the Rowhurst Forge in Leatherhead was another wonderful eye-opener.

There has been blacksmithing here since 1932, but it also is home to the oldest house in Surrey and sits atop a hill outside Leatherhead, on the site of an iron age fort!

Run by Lucy Quinnell and her son Tom, it combines being a working forge undertaking commissions and detailed projects with also running programmes for schools, one to one sessions for SEND young people and those with neurodivergence, as well as courses for members of the public. They are very keen to develop their offer to those furthest from employment and likely otherwise to become or remain NEET, 

Their shop and museum has some very exquisite pieces and open to the public at certain times. Once my Shrieval year is over I will certainly look to sign up for one of their courses.

Find out more at; https://www.fireandiron.co.uk

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Kevin Delf – an Ever Present Force for Good.

I had the honour of joining Kevin Delf at his retirement party at the Guildford Pavilion last week.

I have had the pleasure of knowing Kevin for many years. The first grant award from Guildford Philanthropy was to the Guildford Bike Project, which was launched by Surrey Lifelong Learning Partnership. Both through the Community Foundation for Surrey and Guildford Philanthropy, I have been in regular contact with Kevin and seen first hand the incredible support he has given to our local community.

Since August 2000, he has been an ever-present force for good, helping to improve learning opportunities and engagement across Surrey. He leaves SLLP in very capable hands but he will be sorely missed. I wish you, Kevin, a very happy and well-deserved retirement!

Surrey Wellbeing Partnership.

Surrey Wellbeing Partnership is a consortium of 13 charities with a common goal of providing emotional well-being and mental health services in Surrey as part of the Mindworks Surrey alliance for Surrey County Council and Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care Board. In its first four years it has held 272,170 support sessions, both one-to-one and targeted groups.

The services are provided by Barnado’s, The east to west Trust, the Eikon charity, Emerge Advocacy, Learning Space, Leatherhead Youth project, the National Autistic Society, Peer Productions, Searchlight, Step by Step Partnership, Surrey Care Trust, The Matrix Trust and YMCA East Surrey.

I was delighted to be asked to speak about my NEET initiative and to congratulate SWP on their amazing work. They encapsulate what I believe is necessary in helping our young people by both encouraging collaboration and cooperation between organisations, and also by targeting early intervention to help reduce both the social and economic cost that can otherwise be incurred.

From my years with the Community Foundation for Surrey and Guildford Philanthropy I have previously helped fund a number of these charities and this year, as High Sheriff, I have been to visit most of them and see the incredible work they undertake in our Community.

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.