Growing Underground
Looking for urban farming, found under Clapham high street, in the disused underground tunnels built in 1944. An interesting experience, seeing Asian, English and Italian salad mix being grown on recycled carpet.
Force Neighborhood Policing Meeting
It was a wonderful opportunity to present to the 11 Borough Commanders the work of the High Sheriff Youth Awards. The High Sheriff Youth Awards help to fund projects that aim to reduce crime and make communities in Surrey stronger and safer. The Borough Commander’s of Surrey can ensure that the funds of the High Sheriff Youth Awards go to the most effective crime-reducing projects.
Retirement and Replacement of Chairman
At a happy event at the vice chairman, Julie Llewelyn’s home,The Community Foundation for Surrey thanked the retiring chairman, David Frank and two members of the Board Richard Whittington and Graham Williams for 9 years of service at CFS.
Excitingly, Jim Glover ,known I am sure to you all, has taken over Chairmanship.
Fighting slavery In Surrey
Gate Street Barn, Bramley hosted an important evening at which Justice and Care a charity “Breaking the Grip Of Slavery” shed light on the enormous problem of modern slavery in Surrey and how they are working with the Surrey police. Surreys Police and Crime Commissioner spoke with passion on the importance of the work.
Royal Holloway holds a volunteering bonanza
10,000 hours of student volunteering and a Queens Award for Volunteers sets the scene for what can only be described as euphorically uplifting Festival.
Many many Charities and community groups, as well as Royal Holloway’s own community initiatives, had set up stalls for the students to see and discover and sign up to volunteer with.
I opened the festival at 11am, and by 12am the site was buzzing and the lists for volunteering were filling fast.
An event like this gives you great hope for the future-thank you Royal Holloway.
The Gateway Community Allotments are officially open.
That was a huge pleasure – I was asked to cut the ribbon and open the wonderful garden and oasis and allotment at Woodhatch Road, Reigate.
This partnership between Reigate and Banstead Borough Council who provided the land, and The Surrey Care Trust in creating the community allotment project is very special.It is to provide space for nurturing and mentoring 100 vulnerable people and families per year,based on social and therapeutic horticulture.
So much community ,with local businesses and local people helping and providing to make this an amazing and important space. Well done and thank you to Surrey Care Trust and all the volunteers.
British Empire Medals
The Lord Lieutenant and Vice Lord Lieutenant presented at Loseley two BEM awards to recognise those people who go above and beyond in the workplace and volunteering in the community.
Pitch at Palace
A busy morning at Surrey University with entrepreneurs presenting at Pitch at Palace on tour their new and exciting businesses. Two businesses caught my eye, RightsDD, a tool enabling organisation to identify modern slavery risks in their business chain. And GoodGym, combining fitness with volunteering, such as running to see isolated older people or doing manual labour for community projects.
High Sheriff of West Sussex Judiciary Service
A very meaningful service was held by the High Sheriff of West Sussex at Worth Abbey to support and commend her Majesty’s judges and magistrates, those working in the public sector and those in voluntary and statutory organisations of the County.
The service was so well represented by so many committed people, indicative of the importance and value of the service.
Community Foundation for Surrey at Syon House
With grateful thanks to the Duke of Northumberland I was pleased to host an evening reception at Syon House to share with others the importance, need and opportunities of the Community Foundation for Surrey.