Catch Me on Air at Surrey Hills Community Radio – Thursday 9th April at 10am!

Anyone who knows me is aware that I am a big fan of music and are often surprised at my particular interest in the Rock Music Genre so it was a real treat for me to be asked along to Surrey Hills Community Radio in Leatherhead to be interviewed – not just about my last twelve months in office but also to share my favourite tracks and talk about my passion. 

Surrey Hills Community Radio was formed in 2014 with just a handful of local music enthusiasts which included Managing Director Dave Smith – the driving force behind the success and ethos of the station, Manager – Kayleigh Arunasalon, who keeps everything running smoothly (and who created the excellent website), and the tech maestro – Phil Wessell who is literally responsible for everything all working so brilliantly. There are however, many others that are credited with the success of the enterprise – it really is an excellent team effort and these days there are over sixty regular presenters from all walks of life, many of whom have challenges in their own lives and all enjoy the social aspect of being part of something where everyone has a common interest.

The station recently received a Kings Award for Voluntary Services and welcomed HRH The Duke of Edinburgh who hosted a show that was aired on his 60th birthday. It is a great community asset and one which gives a great deal of pleasure to all involved. The shows can be listened to online and there is a big variety of offerings – something for all ears! I was interviewed by one of the original presenters, Mark Batchelor, who famously presents ‘The Soul Shack’ – a true veteran of the station whose first show was aired on the 2nd day the station was on air back in 2014. In between chatting about some of my experiences as High Sheriff and my theme for the year of addressing the NEET crisis, Mark played my chosen gems – you will have to listen in to find out what they were but I think I picked a cool eclectic mix!

Who knows there may be a slot for me as a Surrey Hills Community Radio DJ in the future! 

So ask your smart speaker to play ‘Surrey Hills Community Radio’, listen via the ‘Tune-in app’  or visit the website at  https://www.surreyhillsradio.co.uk to learn more about the station and check out the schedule. But if you really want to hear some great music my interview is being aired on: THURSDAY 9th APRIL at 10AM.

 

(With my PR & Media Guy and a co-founder of SHCR – Andy Newbold, and Mark Batchelor – Photo credit – David Smith)

An Award for an Inspiring Lady – ‘Oasis’ Founder – Caroline Edwards.

Suzanne and I were delighted to present Caroline Edwards with her High Sheriff Award today.

Caroline has been brave to state that she is a survivor of abuse. This, combined with a career in safeguarding children, led her in 1996 to begin a lifelong dream of creating Oasis, a place where no one would ever have to feel isolated and alone again. She set out to create a second family for those who had none. A sanctuary for those seeking safety. A place where people would feel listened to, could seek advice, and be given the means to rebuild their self confidence, resilience and independence. The charity has over many years established a wide range of preventative services to support families from falling into crisis as well as safeguarding services that support children and adults identified as victims of abuse. Oasis has through Caroline’s inspired leadership, amongst many other achievements, helped over 6,000 children stay with their families.

An Award for The Centre for Britain & Europe’s Amelia Hadfield.

Delighted to catch up with Amelia Hadfield from the Centre for Britain and Europe (CBE) at the University of Surrey today to present her with a High Sheriff Certificate to acknowledge her huge contribution to the Community, primarily through her research and engagement on my Shrieval theme on preventing young people from becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) but also for her many other contributions to research and her charitable endeavours.

Indeed she was presenting the findings of the latest CBE research project today at the Welcome Church in Woking undertaken on behalf of Surrey Community Action. Titled Beacons and Bridges, it is a paper on the state of the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector

Bridges & Beacons Presentation by Surrey Community Action.

I was delighted to be at the presentation of a new piece of research commissioned by Surrey Community Action this week. Titled Bridges and Beacon – State of the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Sector. 

The programme was introduced by  CEO, Jason Gaskill who handed over to Amelia Hadfield and her team from the Centre for Britain and Europe from the University of Surrey, who had undertaken the research. The findings showed that the need in Surrey is rising and is unevenly distributed; many organisations are operating on very thin margins; collaboration is important but the capability to engage is uneven; and the strongest case for action is about funding (multi-year), partnership and infrastructure.

Judging at Therfield School, Leatherhead – The First Give Final.

I had an enjoyable time being a judge this week at Therfield School in Leatherhead at the First Give Final.

First Give run an excellent programme at any school willing to take part. At Therfield it was the Year 8s that participated but any year can sign up. Six weeks before the Final they are given a briefing about supporting a charity and each class in the year picks a charity to find out about, raise awareness for and fund-raise. At the Final, representatives from each class give a short presentation on their chosen charity and are judged on the content, creativity and delivery of the presentation and their commitment to the charity, creativity and impact of the project.

All six classes produced excellent presentations and they had all been undertaking creative activities to raise awareness and fund-raise. The winning class, which was a unanimous decision by the five judges, was Class 8YI who were supporting the Mary Francis Trust, a Leatherhead based charity helping adults with mental health issues.

The photograph show head teacher, James Malley and the representatives of the Class 8YI with the winning cheque.

An Award for a Significant Contribution to Community Safety.

I had the pleasure of presenting a High Sheriff Award to Simon Morris yesterday at the Surrey Police Headquarters Mount Browne. Simon was unable to attend the Award Ceremony last week but his name was read out and his citation included in the programme. He has volunteered with Surrey Police since 2019 in the Reigate and Banstead area and has made a significant contribution to community safety, dedicating over 1,100 hours to the Force.

Surrey’s Annual Mock Trials.

Last year, shortly before I was installed as High Sheriff, I was asked if I could attend the Surrey Mock Trials at Guildford Crown Court. It was such a fantastic event and I was therefore thrilled to be invited back with Suzanne this year.

It is run by volunteers from the Surrey Magistrates Association and also involves a number of people involved in the criminal justice system freely giving their time so that a number of Year 8 pupils can participate in a mock trial and see behind the scenes what happens in the courts.

There were six schools competing. They are given information about the trial in advance and they take in turns to act as prosecution and defence and play all the other roles in court before a team of judges. It all takes place in Court One of the Crown Court so it gives them a fully authentic experience.

When not enacting the trial, the teams get an opportunity to quiz a panel including a Crown Court Judge, a magistrate, a barrister, a crown prosecution service officer and a police detective. Afterwards they get to tour the holding cells and a prison van. There are also stalls manned by the High Sheriff Youth Awards, the Police Cadets and Fearless (past of Crimestoppers).

I get to present the High Sheriff Shield to the winning Surrey School, who this year was Christ’s College and I am pictured with them and the shield on the steps outside the courts.

Swearing In Our New Magistrates.

I was delighted to be present for the swearing in of new Magistrates at Guildford Crown Court last week.

It was the second swearing in ceremony I have attended. Surrey now has around 185 magistrates but are looking for more! Over 95% of criminal cases are heard in the Magistrates Courts, and this will probably rise after new legislation increases their sentencing powers. 

Being a magistrate is a voluntary position, involving a few weeks of training and mentoring and then the expectation that you will devote a minimum of 13 days a year; so it can often be fitted in around other employment or after retirement. It is a vital part of the criminal justice system and I was therefore also delighted, at my High Sheriff Award Ceremony earlier in the week, to recognise the Surrey Bench Management Team, themselves all volunteer magistrates, but who also administer and manage the other magistrates and the running of the courts. 

I was delighted to see one of the people being sworn in was Sallie Barker, previously Mayor of Guildford and who sits on the Guildford Philanthropy Panel with me.  

(The Surrey Bench Management Team – receiving a High Sheriff Award last week)

The High Sheriff Awards Ceremony 2026.

High Sheriff Awards Ceremony 2026.

One of the privileges of being High Sheriff is that during your shrieval year you are able to witness the amazing contributions made by so many people and organisations across the County for the benefit of our local community; whether through public service, charitable work or volunteering. Suzanne and I have met countless people selflessly giving their time, experience and expertise for the benefit of others. 

Another privilege of being High Sheriff is that I can give an award to some of these individuals and organisations as a public recognition of their great and valuable service to our community and hold a ceremony so that they can be acclaimed. 

As I approached the end of my term in office and looked back at the places I have visited and the people I met, I realised how difficult it was going to be to select those deserving of a High Sheriff Award. In truth I probably could have filled the sizeable Holy Trinity Church on Guildford’s High Street several times over with deserving people; but in the end I was thrilled to hand out 38 awards. I also had the privilege of presenting a special award to ‘Edge of Change’ on behalf of National Crimebeat.

It was such a pleasure for Suzanne and I to host this event and we were delighted to be joined by The Mayor of Guildford – Howard Smith, The Chairman of Surrey County Council – Tim Hall,  and the High Sheriff in Nomination, Mrs Joosje Hamilton who takes over as High Sheriff on the 10th April,  to acclaim the award winners.

There are too many recipients of awards to mention here but you can read the citations in the programme, a PDF of which is available HERE.

I was also delighted to acknowledge the help and support I have enjoyed throughout my shrieval year from Simon Butler, my Chaplain;  Caroline Breckell MVO DL the Under Sheriff;  my two cadets Grace and Imogen, Andy Newbold, for the photographs and social media posting and Alison Burrows for helping with all the admin! 

Most of all it was a privilege to thank all of the people and the organisations who received awards – you are all inspiring and a credit to your County. 

A Great Opportunity for Young People – The Volunteer Police Cadets.

I was delighted to visit, with Suzanne, the newest police cadet unit in Surrey. Based at Ashcombe School in Dorking the Mole Valley Unit opened four weeks ago and already has 20 cadets who have come from a number of local schools.

They meet on Tuesday evenings and welcome all young people aged 13 to 17. It provides a safe and inclusive environment for cadets to learn about policing, develop positive relationships with the police and actively support their community; and it is completely free to join! The photo shows the new recruits who are being fitted up for their uniforms.

There are seven Volunteer Police Cadet (VPC) Units across Surrey, the others are located in the boroughs of Elmbridge, Guildford, Reigate & Banstead, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath and Woking and they meet one evening a week during academic term time and cadet deployments and events also take place at weekends and during the school holidays.

Why join the cadets?

Joining our Volunteer Police Cadet Scheme comes with a range of benefits including:

  • Making new friendships – Connect with like-minded peers and build lasting relationships.
  • Exciting activities – Take part in police-related training, games and team-building exercises.
  • Community involvement – Support your local area through volunteering and social action projects.
  • Personal development – Gain confidence, leadership skills, and an understanding of policing.
  • Career insights – Learn about policing in Surrey and explore potential future careers.

Becoming a volunteer police cadet in Surrey can help you develop a wide range of valuable skills including:

  • Communication skills – Improve your ability to interact confidently with different people.
  • Teamwork – Learn how to collaborate effectively in group settings through team activities.
  • Problem-solving – Develop your critical thinking and decision-making ability.
  • Leadership – Gain experience in taking initiative and guiding others.

You could even end up like Imogen and Grace and become a High Sheriff Police Cadet!