In the North west of the County of Surrey sits Bronzefield Prison.It was a privilege to be able to receive a comprehensive tour of this very busy women’s prison.The prison is maintained to a high standard and huge efforts to provide opportunities for learning skills for resettlement are being made.
Tucked behind the council Offices in Farnham is a remarkably beautiful garden created and maintained by volunteer gardening enthusiasts in Farnham. It was the site of the Farnham swimming Bath until 21 years ago. Townspeople of Farnham saved this outdoor space and created a beautiful garden for all to enjoy.
Surrey Hills wood fair held in Cranleigh this year saw the start of the planting of 1.2 million trees in surrey one for each resident.It was a pleasure to plant a hazel .
The fair was full of exciting woodland activities and great food including many of Surrey hills Enterprises.
Well done to surrey hills enterprises in raising the profile of Surreys extensive and special woods.
Stanhope Seta in Chertsey were the proud winners of a Queen’s Award for enterprise : innovation. This is the third such honour to be bestowed upon Stanhope-Seta, having previously won the International Trade award in 2012 and the award for Innovation in 2014. The 2019 Queens Award for Innovation, was for the company’s latest development – FIJI. The FIJI instrument detects ultra-low levels of a chemical compound known as fatty acid methyl ester (FAME). His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent KG presented the award, alongside the Vice Lord-Lieutenant Bill Biddell.
Stanhope Seta gave us a wonderful lunch with many of the employees, including a presentation on their work with GASP, giving young people the opportunity to learn first hand about engineering. Click here for more information on GASP.
Tucked away in the corner of a car park in Camberley is an amazing porta cabin in which empathy and care is paramount. Mags Mercer, Chief Executive, and her team are caring on a daily basis for the homeless in Surrey Heath and beyond, giving people immediate support as well as long term home in housing and jobs. From this small building comes big ideas combined with enormous energy.
Looking for urban farming, found under Clapham high street, in the disused underground tunnels built in 1944. An interesting experience, seeing Asian, English and Italian salad mix being grown on recycled carpet.
It was a wonderful opportunity to present to the 11 Borough Commanders the work of the High Sheriff Youth Awards. The High Sheriff Youth Awards help to fund projects that aim to reduce crime and make communities in Surrey stronger and safer. The Borough Commander’s of Surrey can ensure that the funds of the High Sheriff Youth Awards go to the most effective crime-reducing projects.
At a happy event at the vice chairman, Julie Llewelyn’s home,The Community Foundation for Surrey thanked the retiring chairman, David Frank and two members of the Board Richard Whittington and Graham Williams for 9 years of service at CFS.
Excitingly, Jim Glover ,known I am sure to you all, has taken over Chairmanship.
Gate Street Barn, Bramley hosted an important evening at which Justice and Care a charity “Breaking the Grip Of Slavery” shed light on the enormous problem of modern slavery in Surrey and how they are working with the Surrey police. Surreys Police and Crime Commissioner spoke with passion on the importance of the work.
10,000 hours of student volunteering and a Queens Award for Volunteers sets the scene for what can only be described as euphorically uplifting Festival.
Many many Charities and community groups, as well as Royal Holloway’s own community initiatives, had set up stalls for the students to see and discover and sign up to volunteer with.
I opened the festival at 11am, and by 12am the site was buzzing and the lists for volunteering were filling fast.
An event like this gives you great hope for the future-thank you Royal Holloway.