Inspirational briefing update on SERFCA

This was a fascinating evening briefing for Berkshire and Surrey, on our amazing Royal Navy,Army and Royal Air Force Reserves, Cadets and Veterans.The theme was diversity,inclusion and youth and we were left in no doubt at the professionalism,dynamism and determination to ensure diversity and inclusivity within the tri-service of cadet and Reserve forces. The presentations were very instructive and inspiring in helping the audience understand the challenges facing Reserves,Cadets and Veterans of the forces and particularly in civilian life ,and the support that as civilians we must provide.

Growing Vegetables at HMP Send

It was good for the soul to see the variety and range of fruit and vegetables that women at Send Prison were cultivating (through THE CLINK charity) to provide for THE CLINK restaurant at High Down HMP. The opportunity to develop horticultural skills and gain NVQ’s, as well as the mentoring and ongoing support for the women is a wonderful example of what can be done, -a ray of sunshine-.

Gary Gates does a remarkable job in growing,cultivating and teaching and memtoring-thank you.

“Nurture through Nature” at Hampton Open Farm Sunday.

We welcomed almost a thousand visitors to our family farm last weekend, as part of the national LEAF Open Farm Sunday.

The gates opened at 10.30 am and from then onwards hailed a constant flow of cheery farm-goers, ready to explore the best of Surrey’s farming.

My theme for my year of office is ‘Nurture through Surrey’s Nature’, and Open Farm Sunday exemplified the nurturing qualities of Surrey’s nature. Giggling children jumped on tractors and learnt about cows, families ate picnics amongst the bluebells and learnt how to identify different trees.

The farm focused on three different areas – the cows, the woods and the natural environment. Each area had a host of different activities to get stuck into, from tree planting to worm counting, learning about pasture fed cattle to watching a chainsaw demonstration, following a woodland trail to making beeswax candles. The soil science was a particular hit, one child explained ‘my favourite part was learning about the unbelievable worms. I now know they are very important to help crops survive’.

No one left hungry, with ice creams from nearby Meadow Court Farm on sale as well as Hampton’s famous home grown beef sausages and home baked biscuits.

A plethora of local organisations were involved in the event – Seale Village forest pre-school, Surrey Wildlife Trust, Tice’s Meadow, Farnham Beekeepers, The Livestock Partnership Vets, and The Pirbright Institute.

As well as a brilliant team of volunteers (family and friends of the farm), the superb Surrey Voluntary Police cadets supported the day, ensuring everything ran as smoothly as possible. Caroline Drummond, CEO of LEAF, also visited the farm, impressed by the large range of activities on offer and commented ‘this is exactly what we hope for in an Open Farm event.’

Heaven as The High Ropes are Open

Walton Firs Foundation has expanded its already magnificent outdoor activity center by adding a wonderful outdoor high ropes facility (officially opened by The Mayor of Elmbridge) for any group lucky enough to stay or visit the site. An incredible place.

Big thanks to local donors (through the Community Foundation for Surrey) who contributed to the High Ropes Course.

The Launch Of The East Surrey Poverty Truth Commission

A first for the South East Of England-A Poverty Truth commission-made up of 15 Community Commissioners and 15 Civic and Business Commissioners. There were over 120 guests to witness the launch of this 18 month project for the Community Commissioners to share their thoughts on ways of reducing poverty (and the growing use of food banks), for the civic and business commissioners to listen with care and empathy to see how to help with this.Thanks to Jonathan lees for getting this Commission up and running. As Bill Gates said “I believe that if you show people the problems,and you show them the solutions they will be moved to act”-The commission aims for this and a cultural change to understanding poverty.

Guildford Philanthropy Meet in the old dungeons of Guildford Castle

A special evening to celebrate the Fifth anniversary of Guildford philanthropy given by The Mayor of Guildford and the chairman of Guildford Philanthropy Peter Cluff. It was a very buzzy evening, thanking the donors for making it possible to match local giving with local need in Guildford. The Fund has now established a health endowment fund but the fund is to keep growing to enable more help to be given to crucial Guildford needs. Jim Glover (chairman of The Community Foundation for Surrey) was at the event as Guildford philanthropy uses the CFS to manage the fund.

Iftar (Breaking of Fast)


The beautiful Shah Jahan Mosque & guests of the Woking Asian Business Forum

A special evening experiencing Iftar at the Shah Jahan Mosque in Woking, where the Chairman of the Woking Asian Business Forum, Shahid Azeem DL, invited guests to share Iftar. It was a wonderful evening where we were welcomed with such warmth and generosity by the Imam and congregations.

A First – SCAS Rogation Service at The Cathedral

Rogation Sunday was celebrated at the Cathedral, combined with prayers and thoughts for the Surrey County Show, held the next day. This was the first year it was celebrated in the Cathedral, and I am sure it will become an annual tradition, with many Surrey farmers there to enjoy the beautiful music and thoughtful sermon. A thoughtful sermon was preached by Rev Dr Mark Betson (National Rural Officer for the Church of England), filled with wise and hopeful words.

A Stonking Surrey Show!

It was fantastic to enjoy such a brilliant day at the Annual Surrey County Show. The crowds flocked to Stoke Park to see Surrey’s farming enterprises and learn more about their wonderful countryside. The police were out and about, some even on horseback (see below!) with a wonderful interactive display. It was great to see some of Surrey’s finest cows, pigs and sheep, all on fine form. Thank you so much to the Surrey County Agricultural Society and everyone who took part in organising such a feat of an event.


Surrey Police Demonstration Area was heaving with Excitement

An Honor to be With The Honorary Fellows at Royal Holloway University

We are so privileged to benefit in Surrey by having some of the finest Universities.

I enjoyed an inspiring evening in the magnificent surroundings of Royal Holloway Chapel and the Picture Gallery where I witnessed the recognition of four new Honorary Fellows.

We were treated to some fine choral music from the talented University choir and a wonderful welcome and huge hospitality. Another facet Surrey can be so proud of.