Surrey Poppy Launch at the Lightbox Woking

It was a perfect venue for Surrey’s poppy launch,

which was well attended and ,with the Lord- Lieutenant presenting certificates to last years top poppy distributors.The President of RBL Surrey made some thoughtful introductory remarks and Dame Penelope Keith DBE,Dl recited In Flanders fields by John McCrae;It was an ispiring start to the British Legions 2019 poppy appeal.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.

In the depths of East Sussex on a windy Friday afternoon .

The High Sheriff of East Sussex held a service in The Parish Church of St Anne in Lewes, to bless the work of the judiciary and the magistracy in the County. It was such a pleasure to be there,to have time to reflect and thank God for the important and difficult work,and to listen to The High Sheriffs Chaplain addressing the need to accept change, and to celebrate diversity and embrace unity.

Charterhouse hosts a craft fair for “Story”

“Story Funding Melanoma Research” is a remarkable new charity established 3 years ago to raise awareness and fund research into melanomas. Click this link to find out more www.storyfmr.net

Post England’s success on the rugby pitch, I had the pleasure of opening a craft fair with local skilled crafts men and women displaying and selling some amazing work to raise money for Story.

I saw it “With my Eyes”

The Guildford Shakespeare company have completed a pilot course With my Eyes of free drama therapy sessions for children and their parents, which ran over the summer.The course has proved very helpful and has provided friends and a new support network for those attending.

It was a great privilege to present a High Sheriff Youth awards certificate to Guildford Shakespeare Company to thank them for making Surreys communities safer and stronger.

Alls Well That Ends Well

Another stunning performance by Guildford Shakespeare Company- how lucky we are in Surrey to have the opportunity to see such incredible in locations in and around Guildford.

This was an incredible performance,in the beautiful St Nicholas’s Church,Guildford.

Stewards of Creation

The Ninety third Festival of Church Music ,the biennial free church choirs concert, was this year held at Guildford Cathedral.The theme this year, was appropriately Stewards of creation. It was a wonderful concert with superb organ music played by Richard

Moore.

Walking in the rain

Woking Asian business Forum joined us at Hampton for a walk in the woods and plenty of time to discuss forestry and climate change. It may have been a damp morning but no one was deterred from a very happy gathering and a delicious biryani.

Gardening at HMP Send with the Clink

The Clink and their garden initiative at HMP Send has already featured in my blog. To give women prisoners the opportunity to garden,to grow vegetables for The Clink restaurant, to learn,to gain qualifications and to have a skill when released is essential. So it was a great pleasure to accompany Claire from RHS Wisley outreach team,and Liz from the Clink to HMP Send to meet Gary and The governor and others .See https://theclinkcharity.org/

The FT has this weekend a wholesome article on the vocation for ex prisoners and it has been featuring on radio 4 this week.

Surrey Reservist and Cadet Awards

Held at Denbies Wine estates,the presentation of annual awards to cadets and reservists . The evening was inspirational, as we shared in the achievements of the dedicated and committed reservists, cadets and cadet leaders.Her Majesty’s Lord -Lieutenant made the presentations and his three cadets for the year 2019-2020 were announced.

Remarkable Kent,Sussex and Surrey Air Ambulance

2 helicopters, 2500 missions per year, 24/7 operations,£38,740 per day, highly trained and dedicated aviation and medical teams and 200 volunteers-This is the Air Ambulance Kent Surrey and Sussex, and 89% of the income to operate this leading world class service is raised from the public.This is a highly technical, sophisticated, and critical service saving lives.

With my fellow High Sheriffs from Kent and East and West Sussex we had the opportunity to see how from Redhill Aerodrome this unbelievable service is run.

Next year will celebrate 30 years of the Air Ambulance and the opportunity for further profile and fund raising.

Thank you to the AAKSS.