Stepping Stones School Outstanding!

Now in year three on the Undershaw site (home of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle), the Stepping Stones School is understandably rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted for personal development, behaviour and welfare – and a visit is all it takes to understand why! 

Executive Head Teacher, Melisa Grigsby (right), was proud to explain the impressive abilities of all of the pupils, and Tom (left, displaying his excellent drone-assisted photography of the school site!) joined Harry in finding out exactly what a High Sheriff was all about!

G-Live Welcomes Guildford Junior & Primary Schools Music Association Festival

Mayor of Guildford, Mike Parsons (left), and Mayoress Jean (right) joined a sell out crowd at G-Live to be delighted by the orchestra and choir comprising pupils from nine schools across the Borough. Special guests also included Pamela, wife of the inspirational Musical Director and Conductor, George Jones, and past Conductor, Richard, who is determined to maintain the family tradition through his appreciative young grand-daughter! Congratulations to Chairperson, Clare Brunet, and her dedicated team for organising such a wonderful evening of entertainment, and to the pupils themselves for sharing their collective and individual talents!

'ServiceDogs UK' – Training PTSD Assistance Dogs

 

The ‘ServiceDogs UK’ Charity was created in 2015 by Garry Botterill (to my right below) and Judith Broug, and Garry kindly invited me to see the PTSD Assistance Dog Programme in action (there are now 7 Assistance Dog Partnerships operating). This exceptional programme is open to all men and women from the Armed Forces, Emergency Services, Coast Guard, RNLI and UKSAR, who have a clinical diagnosis of PTSD. The Assistant Dog Programme is free to the veteran, and the broad range of support delivered by the dogs is truly amazing, from providing comfort for the veteran when signs of PTSD are evident, right through to retrieving medicine from storage when alerted by a particular ring tone on the phone (Jerry, above, was a real star in training!)

Garry and Judith are constantly on the lookout for volunteers – including fosters for the dogs themselves!    

 

'Shrek The Musical' – GSA Style!

Another stunning production from GSA at the Yvonne Arnault Theatre. As the conservatoire of the University of Surrey, GSA enjoys not only a strong connection with our local Surrey community, but national and international renown. An evening in the company of ‘Shrek The Musical’ proves the point; as Dean, Graham Miller, observes ‘sometimes it is important to just sit back and revel in the pure pleasure of a performance’! 

 

The Meath Supports International Epilepsy Awareness (Purple!) Day In Style

Amongst many supporters from far and wide helping CEO, Lindsay Hill (centre), and The Meath team promote ‘PurpleDay’, were Surrey’s first purple Mayor and Mayoress, Dan and Sarah Adams (left) from Surrey Heath! Dan and Sarah have selected The Meath as one of their charities for the year, and spent the entire day helping Lindsay, Tania and the many supporters to raise funds for their wonderful organisation.

The High Sheriff and the Mayor of Guildford looked very dull in comparison, with yet another purple Mayor, Denise Le Gal, soon to join the enthusiastic gathering!

 

 

 

GSC's 'Spirit of Youth' Version of Romeo & Juliet Delights!

An intergenerational drama project from Guildford Shakespeare Company, ‘Spirit of Youth’, tackles social isolation within local communities by bringing together 10 children from Weyfield Primary School and 10 residents from The Queen Elizabeth Park Care Home, to deliver their own unique interpretation of ‘Romeo & Juliet’! 

The informal photo captures the spirit of the performance, which delighted everyone present – including Kate (left), Community Foundation for Surrey (thanks for the funding!), and Fran (fifth left) and Ant (extreme right) who directed this talented ‘cast’. GSC Co-founders, Sarah and Matt, deserve enormous credit for creating this astonishingly powerful vehicle which clearly means so much to young and not-so-young alike!

 

    

'Music With A Heart' (and Soul!) At Mayor of Elmbridge's Charity Concert

Mayor of Elmbridge, Shweta Kapadia (centre) and Consort Ramesh, were joined by Mayor of Spelthorne, Jean Pinkerton and Michael Aspel, for a truly unforgettable evening of superb entertainment from Surrey Music – Elmbridge Ladies Choir (led by Chris Parker) followed by the full Elmbridge Choir, featuring the irrepressible Cliff van Tonder. And all in support of Shweta’s chosen charity, the impactful Elmbridge Rentstart, represented by Tracey (below left) and volunteer Pippa. Shweta, this was a wonderful event – many congratulations to Amanda, Pastor Chris and everyone involved in making it all possible!

 

   

 

University of Surrey Hosts Year 10 Graduation Ceremony!

 

 

Over 70 year 10 students from schools across Surrey received their certificates after completing an intensive 6 month course run by Hollie (right), Amy and the team in the University Widening Participation & Outreach Department. The ten Student Ambassadors proudly introduced their students, who were each selected by schools and teachers. The increased confidence, attainment and motivation amongst the cohort was evident to all, particularly proud parents and supporters!

       

 

YMCA DownsLink 'Sleep Easy 2019' Underway!

Mayor of Guildford, Mike Parsons (back second right), and Mayoress Jean, provided Borough support and encouragement for over 30 incredible volunteers willing to brave the conditions and raise funds for such a worthy cause by sleeping out all night in the castle grounds in Guildford.

One volunteer is now on her fourth ‘Sleep Easy’, provides warm drinks for the other volunteers as well as sleeping rough with them, and is determined to continue until she reaches 80 – now that is exceptional commitment; Jill Bird, take a bow!!

 

 

WRAC Centenary 'Royal' Reception at Cathedral Begins 'Grand Reunion' Weekend!

HRH Countess of Wessex joined the Reception at Guildford Cathedral this afternoon to officially commence the ‘Grand Reunion’ weekend in this memorable ‘Centenary/Seventieth’ year for the WRAC Association. We were reunited with Marjorie (centre) and her fellow Chelsea Pensioners;

 And shared secrets with other members in terms of fancy dress choices for tonights ‘famous women’ themed celebration in Southampton (I cannot divulge the secret, but have been promised a ‘team’ photo for the website!)

 All 400 of you are famous women to us – have a great weekend!!