New Traditions Established at Bridget's Installation as High Sheriff of Surrey

An enormous privilege and personal pleasure to hand over the badge of office to our new High Sheriff of Surrey, Bridget Biddell, at Guildford Cathedral yesterday. Thanks to His Honour Judge Robert Fraser, our Presiding Judge at Guildford Crown Court, we were delighted to welcome Her Honour Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb (right), who kindly agreed to preside over this ancient ceremony.

Two new Shrieval traditions were firmly established during the evening. A new High Sheriff’s Police Cadet, Meghna Singh, takes office as successor to Surrey’s very first holder of the role, my own High Sheriff’s Cadet, Naeel Radha. The second is that Surrey now has a Shrieval Sword, inscribed ‘High Sheriff – County of Surrey’, and Naeel arranged a smooth hand over to Meghna (below);

   

 

Shepperton Youth Club – 'Inspiring Young People'

Every Thursday evening, Shepperton Youth Centre is the venue for this popular Youth Club, organised by inspirational Eikon Leader Chelsea (with certificate) and her wonderful team of volunteers (in purple) and ‘Role Models’ (in blue). The impressive Role Models certainly live up to their title, and are older members who volunteer to help with the younger members during their early evening session. A brilliant model of operation which empowers everyone involved, and is much respected and enjoyed by the young people themselves, as we can see!

The High Sheriff’s Certificate recognises the great and valuable services to the local community made by Eikon/Shepperton Youth Club, and was wholly endorsed by all of the parents I met last night. Indeed, several of them volunteer themselves, and I understand that small fishing trips may be a possibility in the future! No better way to round off such a great evening than sharing a home-made snack:

 

 

Mayor Selects 'VARB' For High Sheriff's Award

Mayor of Reigate & Banstead, Dorothy Ross-Tomlin (centre), together with Mayor’s Consort, Jim (right), nominated Voluntary Action Reigate & Banstead for a High Sheriff’s Award in recognition of their great and valuable services to the community. Chief Officer, Nina (centre), was proud to accept the certificate on behalf of the executive team and all volunteers, including trustees Alisdair (Chair, third left) and Anne (right);

VARB’s role is to help other local organisations by providing training, information, support for trustees and funding advice. They also assist with recruiting, managing and (very importantly) thanking volunteers. To everyone involved at VARB, on behalf of the community and the Mayor, – Thank You!

   

 

'Your Army' Impresses At Denbies!

Brigadier Tom Bateman, Commander 11th Infantry Brigade, introduced Colonel James Sunderland, Commander Army Engagement, and his impressive team to a packed house at Denbies. The evening was supported at the highest level across Surrey (Chairman of Mole Valley, Raj Haque, right, and Vice-Chair SCC, Helen Clack) and by Lieutenant-General Urch, Commander Home Command (left).

We all agreed to ensure that schools across Surrey are fully aware of the opportunities offered through the Youth Engagement strategy in terms of Schools’ Challenge Days and the impactful Schools’ Engagement Programmes for 14-16 year olds, run over 6 weeks and delivered on site, with an additional day spent in an Army Barracks. Congratulations to all senior officers who took part in one of the best Q & A sessions I have witnessed – potentially explosive questions answered in a frank, open and logical manner. 

Tadworth Primary School – Always 'Inclusive' (In Spite of the Challenges!)

Following the productive discussions around tackling the complex issue of exclusions of pupils from schools at the recent Conference of Surrey Primary Headteachers, Justin (back), Headteacher, was keen for me to visit Tadworth Primary School to meet Governors Maggie (Chair of Standards Committee, second right) and Helen (Chair of the Resources Committee, left), to discuss the challenges they face as they determinedly support the impressive teaching team in their focus on the inclusion of all pupils, whenever possible. Fiona, (Deputy Head and Inclusion Leader, right) and Hilary, (Bursar, back left) also explained the often bewildering and unintended consequences of being such a successful school in terms of inclusion. Justin highlighted one strange example – the intended new build replacement of a very old building cannot – under the formula applied – apparently include the current, highly effective work spaces housed there which allow the staff to successfully teach and develop the pupils who struggle in the normal classroom or playground environment. Appeals to common sense at a regional and national level will surely prevail.

In the meantime, the two inspirational School Ambassadors (above) explained every detail of Tadworth Primary School as we enjoyed a tour of the entire site and were able to describe specific and compelling reasons why ‘inclusion’ of all of their friends is so important to their community. We must all support the Governors and Teachers of this successful school as they endeavour to maintain their ‘inclusive’ approach.    

Launch of 'Spelthorne In Bloom' 2019

This beautiful artwork from Millie, a pupil at Town Farm Primary School, was chosen by the judges last night to be the logo for ‘Spelthorne in Bloom’ during this memorable 30th birthday year! Chairman Nick Wood-Dow DL welcomed the Mayor of Spelthorne, Jean Pinkerton, civic dignitaries and Police Inspector Maxine Cilia to Notcutts Garden Centre to celebrate the launch and discover the winners of the Poster Competition for pupils of all ages. I was honoured to present first prize in the Special Needs Category to Eamon, together with a High Sheriff’s Certificate to acknowledge the wonderful work undertaken by everyone at Manor Mead School.    

  

 

Introduction to the 'Link' Alternative Learning Provision in Dorking

Based in the Malthouse Youth Centre in Dorking (above), the Link ALP is providing opportunities for up to 10 young people from surrounding secondary schools to develop their own skills and levels of learning on an individual basis – all overseen by Sandra, Co-ordinator (above). I was joined on my introductory visit by James, Headteacher from Therfield School (left) and Chris, Joint Head of School, Ashcombe – two of the SE Quadrant Heads who hold such ALP facilities, and the support of SCC, as crucial in the fight to ensure that no young person is lost to education. 

 

 

  

Ashcombe School's 'First Give' Final!

Head of Year 10, Katie Palmer (right), presented the judges with eight impressive and highly persuasive teams of Year 10 students (above), who passionately explained their cases for receiving funding from First Give, for their own particular charity. The winning team was 10YS, and they received £1,000 as a donation to Halow; but all of the powerful submissions were a great credit to Ashcombe School and demonstrated that these fine young people really are ‘Building a Culture of Giving’ as volunteers in our community. The judges (l to r below; Izzy, Head Girl; Katie; proud Head of Year!; Chris, Joint Head of School; Joyce, CEO Surrey Clubs for Young People and Max, Head Boy) were overwhelmed with the professionalism and dedication on display, whilst winners Luke and Felix were simply delighted with their success!

   

 

Most Wanted Alert Issued by Mayor of Runnymede!

The Wanted Poster above was posted following the Mayor of Runnymede’s successful Charity Ball. The likeness has been issued as a general alert – although harmless, the individual has a strange accent and has apparently been attempting to raise awareness of the issues faced by pupils excluded from schools across Surrey. Only approach if you have a high boredom threshold! 

'Live at the Arnaud' Stars Support Mayor of Guildford!

What better way to spend the evening of Mother’s Day than at this star-studded variety performance organised by Nick Wyschna (‘guildford fringe theatre company’), on behalf of Mayor of Guildford, Mike Parsons’s charities – Guildford Young Carers; Headway Surrey and the Mayor’s Local Distress Fund?! Nick and the acts all deserve enormous thanks for a simply brilliant night – well supported by many of the Surrey Mayors, Mayoresses, Deputies and Consorts;

L-R; Linda (Consort, Spelthorne); Jean (Mayor, Spelthorne); Shweta, (Mayor, Elmbridge); Jean (Mayoress, Guildford); Mary (Deputy Chair, Mole Valley); Cath and Linda (Deputy Mayoress, Guildford). A most appropriate photo for this special day!