“Zooming” In with Woking Volunteer Police Cadets.

The Volunteer Police Cadet Woking Unit are continuing their weekly unit meetings under the brilliant leadership of Unit Commander Bennetts and the use of Zoom .Some serious training, and some innovative games as well as a chance to keep in touch as a unit through meetings on zoom is demonstrating their resilience .Thank you Woking VPC for inviting me to join you on Wednesday evening,I thoroughly enjoyed the hour, and as your Patron I am so prud of what you achieve along with our other seven Volunteer Police Cadet Units.

Reigate and Mole Valley Police

My last engagement on 12th March before Covid stuck-, last but by no means least, to visit Reigate Police station , and Mole Valley Station in Dorking. An insight into neighbourhood Teams and the rural work of the PCSO’s and much more. At this moment I just wish for all our front line services strength and health.

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Birthday Celebrations – celebrating just in time.

I have been so lucky to have had an inspirational Volunteer Police Cadet, Meghna, as my cadet, supporting me as High Sheriff since April 2019. With all engagements ending a month early I have not had the opportunity to publicly thank Meghna for her tremendous support this last eleven months.

Meghna has been the most wonderful support ;she has carried the Shrieval sword, walked beside me in processions: on Remembrance Sunday , the Service for the Judiciary and the Civic services, accompanied me into Court, kept me watered with tea, looked after my guests at the Garden party, straightened my hat and badge, entertained Judges, welcomed new magistrates, attended mock trials, (and the real thing), been at police Passing out parades and the Chief Constable awards ceremony and many other things beside. And so it is a big disappointment, that Meghna, having taken the role on like a fish to water cannot finish with a huge and celebratory big splash.

At least we could celebrate her birthday before movement and social interaction became to impossible. Bill and I enjoyed a delicious family dinner cooked by Meghan’s mum. Thank you to Meghna and your wonderful family

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Few will know of this incredible work.

In the A and E departments at the Royal Surrey County Hospital and St Peter’s Hospital Chertsey the small Christian team of Emerge advocacy is providing on the spot support for young people struggling with self harm or suicidal feelings. The youth workers continue to provide ongoing critical support following the initial work in A and E. Sadly the need for this work has been growing and Emerge are now a highly valued in the Accident and Emergency wards. The dedication and commitment as the volunteers and youth workers spend their nights in A and E speaks for itself.See www.emergeadvocacy.com

I was so pleased to be able to give to Joy and Bethany a cheque and certificate from The High sheriff youth awards to acknowledge the work they do in making Surrey Communities stronger and safer.

ELYSIAN-fields – “a blissful state”

Thank you to Charlotte for the amazing work that Elysian is doing in a quiet corner of Surrey.There are many different animals from cows to goats to emus and hens and even snakes, all who, with the help of experienced dedicated individuals, provide therapy for children and young people in Surrey. At its peak over 100 young people were attending over a week and at the same time as the animal therapy teaching core subject and obtaining some qualifications is happening.Thank you to Charlotte,Lottie and Megan for an inspiring morning. check out https://elysianuk.org/

If we could all be Educated Like Rita.

A fantastic performance of Educating Rita at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford and an opportunity for Joanna Read, Director and Chief Executive to explain the role and importance of theatre in Guildford, and the exciting developments that they see for the Yvonne Arnaud and the local community going forward. Dame Penelope Keith shared some of the magic and history of the Yvonne Arnaud with us.

Such fantastic developments and then bang -Corvid -19- strikes, our support will be 100% increased when life returns to normal.

History and tradition in The City of London.

It was a treat to be part of the service of dedication and thanksgiving for the foundation of Bridewell Royal Hospital, Fleet Street, now King Edwards School Witley. Founded on 26th June 1553, and now enabling pupils with particular needs to be educated at KES Witley.

It is sobering to reflect on the history of 450 years ago and to find that the needs that still exist today are being provided by philanthropy that started so long ago. A great reassurance for today’s philanthropists.

Surrey school’s Mock Trials held at Guildford Crown Court on Saturday

The Courts were buzzing as nine schools with young people aged 13 and 14 took part in a highly competitive mock trial in one of the three Crown courts – a daunting experience even for the bold.Acting for the defense or the prosecution, being a magistrate, witness or a steward each had to act the part and show an understanding of court processes and be judged on their performance. To the regional’s next, and then the finals. Huge thanks are in order to all the volunteer Surrey magistrates, judges, St Johns ambulance, the volunteer police cadets , the council members of the High Sheriff Youth awards, Crimestoppers , Castle Hill Practice and the fantastic executive Committee who organised the day-brilliant all round.

Uplifted by a warm spring morning and RHS Wisley’s Outreach work.

To meet again with Claire at Wisley, and hear of the expanding outreach work RHS Wisley is doing was very exciting.At this stage the work is predominately in Guildford and Woking, with families and communities benefiting from gardening and horticulture. How incredibly lucky we are in Surrey to be able to enjoy all that the RHS is offering,not to mention the new building and the well being garden opening at the end of this year-see Claire with volunteer Amanda in front of the poster advertising the garden.

An inspirational conference for Surrey Armed Forces Covenant

The Army Training Centre at Pirbright hosted a fascinating conference .The morning focused on the Armed Forces Covenant ,and there was much praise and acknowledgement of the developments and work being done by the Surrey Civilian Military Partnership Board.