“The virtuous circle”

The Mayor Of Guildford kindly hosted an event for The Guildford Philanthropy Fund at The Guildhall.It was an evening of conviviality and surprises as we learnt how the Guildford Philanthropy Fund one of the Community Foundation for Surreys Community funds is growing with positivity and achievement.So to the virtuous circle,Peter Cluff chairman of the the Guildford Philanthropy fund shared with his guests and philanthropists, amongst other achievements, the virtuous circle involving work and training for young people and a sandwich round for Guildford businesses! An exciting evening as philanthropy grows with enthusiasm. See more www.guildfordphilanthropy.org.uk .

Celebration For Surreys special Volunteers

County Hall Kingston Upon Thames was abuzz with stories of volunteering ,commitment and dedication,as Tony Samuels Chairman of Surrey County Council presented medals to twenty one individual volunteers and The Vice Chairman Helyn Clack gave a short citation on each .

A great evening with time to chat afterwards and thank the volunteers for the work do which makes Surrey a much better community.

Such care and kindness at RBWA

Womens refuges are in short supply. RBWA in East Surrey is one of the few,,a charity providing a refuge for eleven women and their children. It is much more than a refuge it is home and a place of care and professional help, when so much is lost and lives need remaking.After a morning at the refuge with the incredible CEO I realize how we must find the way to continue to support this and other women’s refuge who rely on charitable donations to survive.Click on link www.rbwa.org.uk

Family day At HMP Send

It was a privilege to have the opportunity, together with The High Sheriff of West Sussex, to meet the Deputy Governor and the family engagement worker of the Prison Advise and Care Trust at HMP Send, during a family visit day.We were given an extensive tour and an opportunity to meet with an inspiring mother and prisoner.

Again I came way from HMP Send full of admiration for the effort that the prison is making to try and make some sense of the custodial sentences for the womens lives in the future .

35 New Citizens Welcomed To Surrey

It was a great pleasure to be a part of the important weekly Citizenship Ceremony at County Hall Kingston, to welcome 35 Surrey residents and grant them UK citizenship .There was a buzz of exciting and great enthusiasm during the ceremony.

Surrey voluntary police cadets pit themselves against Surrey and Sussex Police Support units.

In the dark in the Sussex countryside the Surrey voluntary Police Cadets stood their ground as an angry mob to assist the police support units training. As always the cadets performed magnificently giving the police an excellent training opportunity.I was very proud of their commitment.

Surrey Poppy Launch at the Lightbox Woking

It was a perfect venue for Surrey’s poppy launch,

which was well attended and ,with the Lord- Lieutenant presenting certificates to last years top poppy distributors.The President of RBL Surrey made some thoughtful introductory remarks and Dame Penelope Keith DBE,Dl recited In Flanders fields by John McCrae;It was an ispiring start to the British Legions 2019 poppy appeal.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.

In the depths of East Sussex on a windy Friday afternoon .

The High Sheriff of East Sussex held a service in The Parish Church of St Anne in Lewes, to bless the work of the judiciary and the magistracy in the County. It was such a pleasure to be there,to have time to reflect and thank God for the important and difficult work,and to listen to The High Sheriffs Chaplain addressing the need to accept change, and to celebrate diversity and embrace unity.

Charterhouse hosts a craft fair for “Story”

“Story Funding Melanoma Research” is a remarkable new charity established 3 years ago to raise awareness and fund research into melanomas. Click this link to find out more www.storyfmr.net

Post England’s success on the rugby pitch, I had the pleasure of opening a craft fair with local skilled crafts men and women displaying and selling some amazing work to raise money for Story.

I saw it “With my Eyes”

The Guildford Shakespeare company have completed a pilot course With my Eyes of free drama therapy sessions for children and their parents, which ran over the summer.The course has proved very helpful and has provided friends and a new support network for those attending.

It was a great privilege to present a High Sheriff Youth awards certificate to Guildford Shakespeare Company to thank them for making Surreys communities safer and stronger.