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!

KSS Air Ambulance First Birthday At Redhill!

It is almost a year since the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance’s new facility opened at Redhill, so three High Sheriffs were invited by Helen (left), Chair of Trustees, and Michael, Interim CEO, to visit and share the celebration!

Major-General John Moore-Bick, High Sheriff of East Sussex, and Caroline Nicholls, High Sheriff of West Sussex, joined Surrey in congratulating the 100 plus team (30 central roles, with over 70 front line and emeritus staff) at this life-saving charity, which now has three helicopters, two of which are state-of-the-art AW169’s (as above) – all funded entirely by donations from the grateful communities they serve. KSSAA are leaders in Europe in this field; are the only 24/7 operation of it’s type in the UK; undertake considerable research as they strive for continuous, incremental improvement, and fly over 2,000 missions each year. Leigh, Director of Operations, provided a highly professional insight into all matters medical, mechanical and virtual – a hugely impressive performance, typical of this most worthy charity!

 

Surrey Sports Awards – 2018

Campbell Livingstone, Director Active Surrey, and host presenter, Tim Durrans, BBC Surrey, welcomed the 13 Category Award Winners and their enthusiastic families and supporters to this prestigious annual event. Delighted to be able to personally thank BBC Surrey Outstanding Service To Sport winner, Mike Knott and his wife Shiela, together with the Lord Lieutenant, Michael More-Molyneux. Mike and Shiela have always lived in the Dorking area, and Mike’s outstanding service to both cricket and badminton over the decades is renowned across Surrey. Many thanks to Elite Young Sports Personality Of The Year, James Miller, for being an excellent photographer, as well as No 1 in the UK (U21) with a pistol!

 

 

Surrey Care Trust Xmas Celebration at Denbies

 

Sir Adrian White (left) kindly hosted this year’s Christmas Celebration for Surrey Care Trust at Denbies – a great setting for a wonderful charity. A welcome opportunity for the High Sheriff to say a heartfelt ‘Thank You’ to the many volunteers and staff who give so much of their time and energy throughout the year, including mentors Nick (second left) and Teresa (third right), who work with Sian (centre), Head of Counselling. SCT CEO, Elaine, and Chair, Sir Denis O’Connor, both expressed their appreciation to the entire Surrey Care Trust Team!

 

 

 

'Festivitea' at St Joseph's Specialist Trust!

An inspiring introduction to this truly specialist school and college, with 64 very special young people between the ages of 5 – 19, with complex and severe learning difficulties. There are around 300 staff delivering excellent support and development for the students, and St Joseph’s depends upon fundraising to ensure that facilities are always kept at the leading edge. Next in line will be a Work Skills and Enterprise Workshop, and fundraiser, Shirley (left), is already on the case and keen to attract as many offers of help as possible. Executive Principal, Annie Sutton, and Alan, Head of Care, know exactly how they will use such a new facility to maximum effect!

 

 

Royal Marines Band Supports Seafarers UK

Esther and Keith, on behalf of the Guildford Committee of Seafarers UK, welcomed an enthusiastic audience to the Yvonne Arnault Theatre to share an evening of inspirational entertainment provided by this world-famous ‘Royal Band’. Director, Cpt. Andy Gregory, and Bandmaster Portsmouth, Anne Miller, led these excellent musicians through a varied and rousing programme, which allowed the maximum of audience participation! Amongst the distinguished guests were a proud Deputy Lieutenant, Vice-Admiral Peter Dunt, and (below) the Mayor of Guildford, Mike Parsons, and Mayoress Jean, appropriately escorted by their very own Royal Marines C/Sgt!

  

 

First Xmas Dinner With Surrey Coeliacs!

The first of December meant the first Xmas Dinner of the year with our friends from the South Surrey Local Group of Coeliac UK. Clandon Regis Golf Club provided a great venue, first class catering and superb service, and the detailed arrangements were in the capable hands of Helen (centre) and Mike (second left) – we joined the committee in celebrating their collective hard work. Cameron did a great job on camera, and even captured Cath’s treasured raffle prize – a coeliac cook book!