A wonderful Christmas gathering of Surreys Magistrates at The Guildhall in Guildford ,with an opportunity for The Lord Lieutenant and myself to thank the magistrates for their huge voluntary contribution to the courts in Surrey.
It was fascinating to meet the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community at Sheephatch Lane Tilford, and a huge privilege to meet His Holiness, head of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
We had an opportunity to see the new buildings, including the sports hall and badminton courts used by schools as well as the Community, and see the New Mosque.
The community undertakes substantial fund raising and offers considerable and generous support for Surrey’s charities and its communities.
The partnership of the beautiful Fetcham Park, and Leatherhead Chamber of Commerce made for a wonderful candlelit service of Carols at St Mary’s Church Fetcham. In the midst of the wonder of Christmas we contemplated and reflected on the 30,000 homeless people in the South East of England and the critical and valuable work that Transform have done, and continue to do, for the last 48 years.
Thank you Transform Housing and Support.
Alison and Megan shared with me the inspirational work of the new charity Dose Of Nature.Working out of Kew the charity is now prescribing through 5 GP practises “A dose of Nature” A 10 week program accessible to all, introducing the participants to the mental health benefits of spending time in nature. We have 40 years of scientific research and plenty of new robust scientific evidence to demonstrate the mental and physical benefits of exposure to nature. The opportunities and the cost benefit to the NHS for additional Dose of Nature Prescriptions is enormous.Look ourt for and support this work. www.doseofnature.org.uk
A noisy evening at Hampton of conversation and discussion with our County in mind.
What an amazing place to have in Surrey, a beautiful natural burial ground within a glorious nature reserve.This area of land will be protected and preserved for the future whilst at the same time providing an alternative natural burial ground.The winner of the 2019 Natural burial Ground.Inspired in ao many ways.
I felt very privileged to see the amazing work undertaken by Surrey Womens support center in Woking. With a very small but hugely dedicated team, and limited funding, the center helps around 350 women in the year.The services they provide are much needed and the work of the small charity, Women In prison, who run the center together with Woking Borough Council who support the project is essential.
Thank you to St Catherine School Bramley for an annual celebration of music by the very talented students and staff. It was a glorious evening, and Bill, as Vice Lord Lieutenant and I were grateful to be able to enjoy the evening .
It was a great honour to be part of this wonderful Event last night, held at the Gatwick Crowne Plaza. A gathering of so many amazing people within the Community who were nominated as Heroes. Each of the 9 categories had 3 finalists and I had the priviledge of presenting the 999 Award to winners PC Magalena Strycharska and PC Tara Bernard of Sussex Police. Huge thanks must go to BBC Sussex & BBC Surrey for arranging such a fabulous evening and bringing together such an amazing group of people.
If you don’t know about The Bridge,it is worth calling in to The Restaurant in the YMCA for lunch.The Bridge is a social enterprise and includes a community Hub providing space for community groups,as well as the restaurant ,fantastic 112 bed student accommodation and Dialogue a young persons counselling service.
This is a unique and valuable facility in Guildford and well as providing great food.
The Foyer run by YMCA Guildford,a 34 bed home,has just won a national Youth matters award for diversity, where critical accommodation is provided for 18 unaccompanied asylum seekers, many congratulations.