Mayor of Reigate & Banstead's Focus To 'Include' This Xmas

Mayor Dorothy (centre) and Jim Ross-Tomlin were supported by a first-class team of clergy, choirs and readers at last night’s Council Carol Service, held at the thriving United Reform Church in Reigate Park. Distinguished guests and all members of the congregation were enthralled throughout, and were particularly delighted with the beautiful singing from the pupils of Sandcross School and the wonderful crowd participation led by the ‘Include Choir’.

Deputy Mayor, Julian Ellacott (left) also greeted the Chairman of Mole Valley, Raj Haque (centre) together with the Mayor and Mayoress of Sevenoaks, Roddy and Mary Hogarth.

When chatting to the Include Choir, we discovered that no-one knew of any Makaton signing for ‘High Sheriff’, so I had to become ‘King of Surrey’ for the night!

 

 

Walton Charity Officially Opens 'Charities House'

Walton Charity’s Chair of Trustees, Nick Stuart, and CEO, Jackie Lodge (left), welcomed the Mayor of Elmbridge, Shweta Kapadia, and, Leader of SCC, Tim Oliver, to the official opening of these wonderful, newly-refurbished offices, all for the benefit of local charities.

This was the perfect opportunity to meet no less than 13 of the impactful charities working across Elmbridge, all now calling Charities House ‘home’! The message from everyone was the same – thanks to Walton Charity, there is now a sustainable base to work from, and a unique opportunity to network, share thoughts and increase effectiveness across the broad range of services and support represented. What a brilliant example of the ethos of ‘Local Giving For Local Needs’ being really taken to heart – take a well deserved bow, everyone at Walton Charity!

    

Mayor of Runnymede's Festive Civic Reception!

Mayor of Runnymede, Dolsie Clarke, and Consort, Brian Perry, hosted an uplifting Civic Reception at the prestigious Great Fosters Hotel. Many of the Surrey Mayors and Chairs, together with Deputy Lieutenant, Nick and Elizabeth Wood-Dow, were pleased to attend in support of Dolsie’s Charities of the Year.

 

Surrey Heath Veterans & Families Celebrate!

The Surrey Heath Veterans & Families Listening Project, now 5 years old, celebrated another successful year with increasing numbers of veterans and family members making use of this ideal organisation for meeting friends old and new, or simply getting great advice. With over 4,700 veterans in Surrey and 900+ in Surrey Heath alone, SHVFLP are often a vital lifeline, well supported by many partner organisations and professionals able to offer a diverse range of help and assistance. St Mary’s, Camberley, now provides the ideal meeting place, largely thanks to Centre Manager, David (left). Debs (centre), Roy (third left) and the committee of dedicated members joined the Mayor of Surrey Heath, Dan Adams, in giving a rousing vote of thanks!

Great entertainment from the talented ‘Champagne at the Blitz’ group – not sure about the new lead singers though!

          

  

St. Clements Danes Hosts The Meath Xmas Concert

The Meath Epilepsy Charity staged a beautiful Christmas Celebration last night in the magnificent setting of St Clement Danes, supported by the Band of the Honourable Artillery Company. The signing was superb all evening, led by the Choir of St Clement Danes and two excellent soloists, Tenor, Stephen Petch, and Bass, Brindley Sherratt, whose daughter Amy lives at the Meath and also entertained the packed church as a member of the unforgettable Meath Choir (so well supported by members of the Godalming Jazz Choir).

All dignitaries, families, friends and supporters had a delightful, emotional and thoroughly enjoyable experience – all thanks to Meath CEO, Lindsay Hill, Director of Fundraising, Tania Cantoni (below), Chair Mark Dumas, and all members of their executive and trustee teams. Special thanks also to coordinator Gemma – you should all take a bow, and please keep up the ‘outstanding’ work!

   

    

High Sheriffs Join 'Friends of Arundel Cathedral' for Advent Vespers

During four periods in recorded history (the latest between 1571 – 1635), the counties of Surrey and Sussex had a joint High Sheriff, and Chair of Trustees, Patrick Burgess, and his fellow Friends of Arundel Cathedral, have established the delightful modern tradition each year of inviting the High Sheriff of West Sussex (Caroline Nicholls), the High Sheriff of East Sussex (John Moore-Bick) and the High Sheriff of Surrey, to join Bishop Richard Moth and the congregation to celebrate Advent Vespers. Our thanks to everyone involved for a memorable evening!

      

 

1st Chertsey Scouts Topping-Out Ceremony

The 1st Chertsey Scout Group has been thriving for over 100 years and is soon to move to a brand new HQ, courtesy of generous help from the local council, and support from many local charities (Feoffees & Chertsey Market and Chertsey Combined Charities among them), businesses (Thorpe Park made the Group one of their charities of the year) and Rotary and Round Table bodies. Today’s topping-out ceremony was the perfect opportunity to present the High Sheriff Youth Awards certificate to Group Chairman Toby (centre), with proud Mayor of Runnymede, Dolsie Clarke, and HSYA assessor, Ron, joining in the celebrations. The HSYA financial support will help provide new camping equipment for the 130 plus young 6-14 year olds who will be calling this building home before too long!

And look how delighted today’s attendees were at the prospect, as they met with Mayor’s Consort, Brian Perry (second left);

  

 

Seaford College Choir Support 'Halow' Christmas Concert!

Halow Director, Ann Kenney, her executive team and the Trustees of this impactful charity, dedicated to supporting young people with learning disabilities, once again welcomed the excellent Seaford College Chapel Choir to the Annual Christmas Concert at St Nicolas Church in Guildford. The singing was simply superb, with professional support from the inspirational Ann Lampard MBE, who traveled all the way from the Isle of Skye to provide piano accompaniment! Many of the Halow young people were also keen to join in (below) and Zak (assisting Anne at the piano) made a triumphant return to the Choir (led by Director, Sarah) from his studies in Birmingham, to deliver trade-mark solo contributions.

The young people had a memorable evening and helped to provide refreshments for the large audience of proud families and supporters, as well as many Xmas gifts, including some beautiful cards created by Jay (next to me below)

   

 

Therfield School/SATRO/Unum 'Mentoring Scheme' Thriving!

 

This powerful ‘Mentoring Scheme’ partnership between Therfield School (Headteacher James Malley (third right) and scheme lead, Steve Clarke, Head of Computing, waving at the back!), SATRO (CEO Dawn Ray, second right) and Unum (who provide the mentors for the selected pupils) is now a firm fixture at the school. Great to see such an impactful, community based scheme being wholeheartedly supported by a large local company like Unum (Chairman Unum UK, Malcolm McCaig, right, is personally overseeing such activity). The proof of success with any Mentoring Scheme lies with the mentors (Jo and Steve from Unum) and the pupils themselves – as you can see, they are very positive indeed!

 

             

 

'Compliments of the Season' to Surrey Magistrates!

 

Supported by the Lord Lieutenant, Michael, and Sarah More-Molyneux, the Guildhall (the Court in years gone by) in Guildford was the perfect setting for this annual gathering of Surrey’s Magistrates to raise a glass to those retiring from the bench, and to exchange season’s greetings. It was the perfect opportunity to express heartfelt thanks on behalf of everyone in Surrey to these dedicated VOLUNTEERS (amazing how few members of the community realise that this bedrock of British justice is wholly dependant upon willing and talented volunteers!) Many thanks to Surrey Bench Chair, Jane Macauley JP, and to Dee and her terrific Social Committee for their warm hospitality, gluten-free food and incredible (non-alcoholic) apple/ginger punch!