Surrey school’s Mock Trials held at Guildford Crown Court on Saturday

The Courts were buzzing as nine schools with young people aged 13 and 14 took part in a highly competitive mock trial in one of the three Crown courts – a daunting experience even for the bold.Acting for the defense or the prosecution, being a magistrate, witness or a steward each had to act the part and show an understanding of court processes and be judged on their performance. To the regional’s next, and then the finals. Huge thanks are in order to all the volunteer Surrey magistrates, judges, St Johns ambulance, the volunteer police cadets , the council members of the High Sheriff Youth awards, Crimestoppers , Castle Hill Practice and the fantastic executive Committee who organised the day-brilliant all round.

Uplifted by a warm spring morning and RHS Wisley’s Outreach work.

To meet again with Claire at Wisley, and hear of the expanding outreach work RHS Wisley is doing was very exciting.At this stage the work is predominately in Guildford and Woking, with families and communities benefiting from gardening and horticulture. How incredibly lucky we are in Surrey to be able to enjoy all that the RHS is offering,not to mention the new building and the well being garden opening at the end of this year-see Claire with volunteer Amanda in front of the poster advertising the garden.

An inspirational conference for Surrey Armed Forces Covenant

The Army Training Centre at Pirbright hosted a fascinating conference .The morning focused on the Armed Forces Covenant ,and there was much praise and acknowledgement of the developments and work being done by the Surrey Civilian Military Partnership Board.

Cookie Bar In Hindhead -an incredible social enterprise.

The Cookie Bar is a special place for a delicious coffee or tea and a sensational cookie.But it is so much more besides. Stepping Stones school, in walking distance, and providing a unique school environment for 100 children has the opportunity for young people to learn cooking and customer service skills at the Cookie Bar.What an uplifting Friday morning to see Stepping Stones school and hear about the Cookie bar, its boxes of biscuits for businesses,its double Decker Cookie bar bus and the opportunities for students and apprentice schemes.A gem. www.thecookiebar.co.uk

Surrey hills Enterprises-Gold Trade Mark Winner

It was a delight to spend an evening through the kind generosity of The Burford Bridge Hotel, with Surrey Hills Enterprises and Corporate partners, culminating in the delights of presenting the prestigious Gold Trade Mark 2020.This is presented to The Surrey Hills Enterprise- business- that has excelled in environmental sustainability, been an excellent collaborator with other Surrey Hills Enterprises and gone above and beyond in enhancing the landscape,heritage or rural economy of the Surrey Hills.This year it was won by Ian, Maureen and Sarah of Hill House Farm-many congratulations and check out the website for some wonderful farm to fork delicacies and much else. www.learnlandleisure.com

Huckleberries Nurture Farm is set to open in its new woodland site in April 2020.

Huckleberries has been based in Elstead for its first 9 months.The nurture that it has provided has exceeded expectation and a move to a larger site was needed.

Huckleberries is now on the move, but not far just one mile up the road to its new woodland site. The first working party weekend took place on sunday with family and friends-well done Bev. Work is about to start on new stables and a bell tent to make a special place for groups of 6 to 8 children aged 5-12 years old who will come for two hours a week for 12 weeks.The innovative and proven intervention in the peace and tranquility of the countryside can start at this early stage,See www.huckleberries.co.uk

Into The Wild and much more from Leatherhead Youth Project

Extraordinary youth work to help young people through a continuum from the initial hello to adulthood. It is an inspiring charity and in 2019, 471 young people took part in so much that is offered.The youth cafe the coffee shop and into the wild are just a small part -check out their website www.leatherheadyouthproject.com .It was a privilege to meet Jude CEO and Mikey who amongst other things annually takes a group of young people to the wild places of Wales and The Surrey Hills, spending the night in a hammock -what adventures.

Nurturing at Normandy therapy Garden

The High Sheriff Youth Awards were delighted to make a grant to the Therapy Garden to assist with training members of the team that run the work with young people. Horticulture is helping, helping the young people in many ways, including for some finding employment in the horticultural industry.A huge thank you to the Trustees,staff and volunteers and I was delighted with Lesley Myles (HYSA) ,to present a certificate from the HSYA to reiterate our gratitude for making Surrey’s community safer and stronger.

Elmbridge Police cadets-share ideas for Walton Town Center

20 Volunteer Police Cadets and several Volunteer Leaders were thinking”out of the box” with ideas for reducing ASB in Walton.This followed a lively discussion led be the Borough Commander Inspector Bert Dean.Phil, VPC leader, took us through an instructive discussion on the Courts in Surrey, and Tom the senior cadet sent the leaders packing and gave the Cadets a chance to vote for the Elmbridge police cadet leader of the year.The winner from across the County will be announced at the Awards and Attestation ceremony in March. Despite an event packed evening we still had time for chat and the HS signature anzac biscuits!

Surrey Investiture of British Empire Medals

A wonderful way to start a Wednesday morning at Loseley House for the presentation of British Empire Medals,

Awards were made to five individuals, who had volunteered over a long period of time, in Surrey and beyond in a huge variety of ways. It was wonderful to celebrate with their families as Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey made the presentations,and Bill Biddell as a Deputy Lieutenant read the citations.