A landmark- 80th birthday for Citizens Advice Mole Valley

Denbies was the location in which we gathered to celebrate 80 years of Citizens advice in Dorking and Leatherhead . 57 volunteers, and a dedicated small staff had supported 6600 clients this year with just short of 10,000 queries -incredible.

The evening was also an opportunity to present long service awards, with 7 volunteers having totaled over 100 years of volunteering.

The Chairman of Mole Valley District Council was with us to celebrate and to receive thanks for the considerable financial support that CAMV receive and depend on.

Happy 80th birthday to this critical and much needed Charity,and a big thank you. citizensadvicemolevalley.org.uk/

Youth Engagement Scheme -YES

Yet again a moving graduation as 4 students successfully completed another YES week long training course at Gomshall fire station. It was a huge pleasure to be able to celebrate with the families ,school teachers,volunteers and Surrey fire and Rescue service the success of the four students and to watch as they completed exercises involving RTA’s and fires.Well done to everyone involved “Together We Can”

The Family Court At Mary Road Guildford

The Family Courts at Mary Road Guildford are busy.The Judges and Magistrates with the support of an efficient team of Clerks and administrators are coping with a sadly increasing work load.Another fascinating morning seeing our courts in action.

Advent Vespers at Arundel Cathedral

The High Sheriffs of East and West Sussex and Surrey gathered at Arundel Cathedral for a celebration of Advent Sung Vespers.A tradition that has continued for many years with the Bishop of Arundel and Brighton presiding.The Diocese of Brighton and arundel covers the three counties.

Surrey Coroners Court Active In Woking

It was fascinating to see The Surrey Coroners Court in action. My voluntary police cadet and I had an opportunity to meet the very busy team working on the many cases, and to see the three courts and jury sitting. The building is very busy with a continual and huge work load of cases and inquests, being dealt with in an efficient and sensitive manner,it is something that I am sure few Surrey residents are aware of.

The Natural Health Service-The Second Surrey Hills Symposium

An evening of celebration,inspiration and debate on how nature can improve our health and well being.I had the opportunity to sum up a fascinating evening and to conclude with my theme of Nurture through Surreys Nature.

Surrey University kindly hosted the evening which was the brain child of The Surrey Hills and the exhibitors included many of the charities and community groups that are involved with the work of the outdoors as a restorative place.

Surrey Magistrates Christmas Gathering

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.

Tilford the Worldwide Centre

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.

Transform Housing and Support Host Carols at St Mary’s

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.

Dose Of Nature

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