Visit to HMP Coldingley

The High Sheriff visited HMP Coldingley in Bisley to find out more about the prison.

Governor Niall Bryant conducted Dr Llewelyn on her tour of the prison, which includes accommodation for 500 male prisoners mainly serving four-year sentences, but many more than 10 years.

Dr Llewelyn said: “It was a pleasure to meet the governor and be shown around the site’s extensive educational and rehabilitation facilities, which include printing and sign-making facilities, a large new creative graphics area and building skills training. All these supply and work with external organisations and provide prisoners with employment skills when they leave.”

The High Sheriff was impressed by the atmosphere of mutual respect between staff and prisoners and the prison’s positive reinforcement of positive behaviour.

Building relationships to enrich pupils’ lives

North West Surrey Short Stay School’s brilliance at keeping young people in education dovetails exactly with Dr Llewelyn’s theme as High Sheriff – every child included.

So, she was pleased to accept Headteacher Paul Jackson’s invitation to visit the Kingsway Centre site in Woking and start to build a relationship with the school that will enrich students’ lives.

Dr Llewelyn spent three hours at NWSSSS meeting pupils and the dedicated staff who help them alter their attitudes, attain the resilience and skills to manage their behaviour and go on to succeed.

She learned that early intervention is key. The school has an excellent range of programmes carried out to meet individual student’s needs across both sites – Key Stage 3 pupils at Kingsway and KS4 students in Pyrford.

Dr Llewelyn also heard about other challenges the staff are facing, including budgetary.

Honouring veterans at Brookwood American Military Cemetery

Hundreds of Americans who died in the British Isles or its waters during World War I are honoured at Brookwood American Military Cemetery. The High Sheriff joined armed forces members and other dignitaries at the cemetery to lay wreaths to mark Veterans Day.

The commemorative ceremony is an annual public event hosted by the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC). The Commission is the guardian of 468 American graves and the dedication to 564 missing in action in the chapel.

The guests included US armed forces and their allies from the UK, France and other nations, the police force, the Scouts, and families and friends.

After the welcome by AMBC’s Superintendent and an introduction by Master of Ceremonies Laura Taylor, DOR, St James Chapter, the colours were posted and an invocation read by the British Army Chaplain.

A piper played Amazing Grace before the memorial address. Then Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy London, Ambassador Philip T Reeker, and senior officers in the US military laid wreaths, followed by the British military and dignitaries including Dr Llewelyn and Major General Tim Sulivan CB CBE, a Deputy Lieutenant of Surrey.

Both national anthems – God Save The Queen and The Star Spangled Banner – were played before the benediction and retiring of the colours.

Dr Llewelyn said: “It was an honour to attend the ceremony, which pays moving tribute to the many veterans from overseas who sacrificed their lives in the Great War. It also reminds us of the values and history we share with the United States and allied nations.”

Honouring the fallen on Remembrance Sunday

The High Sheriff laid a wreath commemorating Surrey’s fallen at a beautiful Remembrance Service at St Michael and All Angels Church in Pirbright.

Following the service, conducted by the High Sheriff’s chaplain Reverend Beverley Hunt, Dr Llewelyn joined the procession to the War Memorial in the church grounds for the Act of Commitment and traditional two minutes’ silence.

She stood with Captain James Taylor, Warrant Officer 2 Wells and Staff Sergeant Peters from the Army Training Centre at Pirbright. As they waited to lay the wreaths, Philip Perratron, President of Pirbright Branch Royal British Legion, read out the names of those from Pirbright who died in the first and second world wars.

Dr Llewelyn said: “There was a poignant moment before the two-minute silence when we could hear the distant sound of continual gunfire from the Bisley range when then fell silent at 10.58am.”

Armistice Day 2021 marks 100 years since the  formation of the Royal British Legion.

Opening our eyes to dramatic benefits

Dr Llewelyn learned more about Guildford Shakespeare Company’s use of drama and the theatre to bring benefits to those who are struggling with a range of issues.

The Company works with disadvantaged schools to develop outreach projects using theatre to challenge social exclusion and mental health issues in our communities – subjects close to the High Sheriff’s heart.

During her visit, she spoke to the co-founder, Sarah Gobran, and Ant Stones and Rob Cann who both work on education and outreach. Dr Llewelyn heard about the bespoke workshops, talks and performances the GSC gives in schools and colleges in the south-east.

She said: “They do a great programme called ‘With my eyes’ where they work with children who are struggling at school and their families. They hope to run them again when funding is available.

“It was also interesting to hear how Shakespeare’s work provides an easily introduction to discussing issues such as bereavement, chaotic happenings and social isolation.”

Wreath-laying marks Armistice Day in Chertsey

Dr Llewelyn accompanied the Mayor of Runnymede Cllr Elaine Gill, Councillors from Surrey County Council and community groups in laying wreaths to mark Armistice Day, also known as Remembrance Day.

The wreath-laying ceremony was held at the war memorial in front of St Peter’s Church in Chertsey in memory of those who died in conflicts.

The Mayor laid a wreath on behalf of Runnymede Borough Council, resident Councillor Mark Nuti laid one on for SCC, and the High Sheriff’s paid respects to veterans and the emergency services.

The dignitaries joined the public in observing the traditional two-minutes’ silence at 11am.

Staines Rotary awards for six potential future leaders

Dr Llewelyn presented six Year 11 secondary school students with their certificates for completing a week-long Staines Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) course in the summer.

The evening event at Staines Prep School saw four students from Matthew Arnold School, two from Magna Carta School and one from the Phoenix Project awarded for attending the intensive leadership experience run by Staines Rotary Club.

Surrey Outdoor Learning & Development (SOLD) developed the residential RYLA course, which runs over five days. The main campus is at High Ashurst in Surrey, with a marine base near Richmond.

SOLD focuses on youth development. During the course, the young people learn and develop communication and problem-solving skills and unlock their potential to ‘turn motivation into action’ as dynamic leaders while having fun and building connections.

Before Dr Llewelyn presented the certificates, individual students and groups delivered presentations about their experiences to the audience, including parents, Staines Rotary President Jonathan McCarthy, other Rotarians, and the Deputy Lieutenant of Surrey, Nick Wood-Dow.

Afterwards, Dr Llewelyn said: “It was inspiring to hear the students’ stories about the course, and I’m sure many of them will use their experience to become motivational leaders in the future.”

Investiture ceremony for Surrey honours recipients

The High Sheriff attended the investiture of five Surrey residents who received their British Empire Medal (BEM), Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) and Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) at Loseley House.

HM Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey, Michael More-Molyneux, presented the honours on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen in the Great Hall.

Dr Llewelyn said: “It was a really lovely event and wonderful to be part of the ceremony, where deserving recipients received their honours with their families and loved ones watching.”

Each recipient had inspiring stories to tell and had made a huge contribution to their communities in different ways.

Historic Goldsmiths’ Hall hosts High Sheriffs’ AGM

The historic Goldsmiths’ Hall in the City of London made a splendid backdrop to the annual general meeting of the High Sheriffs’ Association as it celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Last year, the HSA held the AGM online. But this year, 220 High Sheriffs from England and Wales and their consorts, including Dr Llewelyn and her husband, were able to attend the AGM and lunch in person.

The consorts, including Dr Llewelyn’s husband, enjoyed a talk about the global role of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, one of the City’s 12 famous livery companies, and its history. They discovered that the word ‘hallmark’ comes from gold being stamped with the crowned leopard’s head at the assay office in the Hall in 1478.

At the AGM lunch, the High Sheriffs were read a letter from the Queen. Her Majesty said she recognised the value of their role and thanked them for their work. Then Dr Llewelyn took the opportunity to meet as many fellow High Sheriffs as she could.

Dr Llewelyn said: “It was great to share notes on how our year is going. I shared the digital system we have devised to post on this website and social media, which the High Sheriffs I met were all interested in hearing about.”

High Sheriff awards family and community projects in Stanwell

Stanwell Family Centre was in full swing when Dr Llewelyn arrived for a packed programme, starting with a tour of the building where health visitors were doing 27-month baby health checks.

The Family Centre’s manager, Janette Breese, guided the High Sheriff at the start of her visit, explaining that Surrey Care Trust runs the centre in partnership with Surrey County Council.

Dr Llewelyn said: “There is an excellent range of statutory services and those provided by the charitable sector all operating side-by-side, which is beneficial for the local community.

“Families can benefit from how the partners all work together through all sorts of activities, such as a social club for 5-12 year-olds with autism, counselling services, a sensory room, free legal advice clinics, speech and language therapy. There is also an outreach team helping about 20 families with complex needs.”

Dr Llewelyn presented well-earned certificates to parents who had completed a parenting course called 123 Magic and a woman who had completed the Freedom course and worked especially hard to turn her life around.

In addition, Dr Llewelyn toured the community allotment run by the Local Conversation in Stanwell project. The centre works closely with the initiative, which Monica Runke manages and the Trust oversees.

Monica showed the High Sheriff where they grow produce and a section dedicated to families to relax after working in the allotment and watch the children in a safe play area. On the day of her visit, there was a lot of joyful muddy play, supervised by parents and carers enjoying a cup of tea.

Dr Llewelyn gave a High Sheriff award to the project for its outstanding contribution to the local community. The volunteers also gave her lovely fresh produce, including eggs from their hens, and a hand-painted stone saying ‘Bee happy’.

She said: “it was a hugely enjoyable day and a great privilege to spend the morning with such inspirational people doing so much for their communities.”