If you read my blogs you will have seen a couple about the Air Ambulance Charity. A vital service in our county and that of Kent and Sussex too. This is another way to support them and help save lives – find out about their events at: events@aakss.org.uk.
#charity #airambulance #Akss #surrey #sussex #kent #savelives #pennyhillpark #WinterBall
Suzanne and I enjoyed a lovely afternoon at Merrist Wood College where a number of their students at both Level 2 and Level 3 were celebrating completing their courses in Uniformed Protective Services. The day included friendly competition between the various Activate Learning colleges that teach the course with both tug-of-war and mock gun assembly assault courses. After a lunch break, Gary Headland, CEO of Activate Learning, Suzanne and I were able to meet the students who lined up in front of their parents, families and friends. I was very impressed by the confidence that the students displayed and the fact that most of them were interested in pursuing a career in public service having fully enjoyed the course they had been studying. I was able to give a short speech providing them with some advice as they look towards their future studies and careers. I left them with my favourite piece of advice, which is a quote from arguably the best boxer of all time, Muhammed Ali, which simply says:- Don’t Count The Days, Make The Days Count. Something I try and remember!
Uniformed protective services are crucial in the UK for many reasons including upholding law and order, emergency response, national defence, community safety, upholding human rights, promoting equality and diversity; and for the high level of discipline and professionalism that is necessary to maintain public trust and credibility. Clearly the course had instilled in the students many of the necessary qualities they will need but more importantly had lifted their sights as to future rewarding careers.
You can read my speech HERE.
Suzanne and I had a very informative morning at Guildford Spectrum on June 26th when we joined final year primary school children in attending a Junior Citizen Safety Event run by Child Safety Media. Over a two week period approximately 1,200 Year 6 children (10–11-year-olds) from local primary schools will be taking part in a series of interactive safety workshops under the ‘Junior Citizen’ banner.
The ‘Junior Citizen’ scheme teaches children about important issues that are often overlooked by the curriculum, such as: first aid (learning how to save a life; DRABC; basic life support – CPR; recovery position); the dangers and consequences of criminal damage (trespass, graffiti, object throwing); anti-social behaviour (what it is and what it isn’t, who can cause ASB and how to report it);being wildfire aware in the countryside, what to do if a fire is encountered, how to make a 999 call; health and wellbeing (the importance of physical activity; sugar swaps); safety on the railways (safe places to cross, dangers of electricity and platform safety); water safety (dangers, lifeguards, flags, safety signs, floating, what to do in an emergency).The workshops are delivered by local safety agencies and give pupils the unique opportunity to learn valuable skills from the professionals, through practical demonstrations and discussions in real-life situations.
The event, will run until Friday, 27th June 2025, and includes sessions from agencies such as South East Coast Ambulance Service, British Transport Police, Thames Basin Heaths Partnership, Children and Family Health Surrey (School Nurses), Network Rail/ South Western Railway and Freedom Leisure.
The children were certainly fully enthralled and from a quick quiz at the end of the session they had clearly absorbed the main safety messages that had been conveyed. Suzanne, Howard Smith, Mayor of Guildford, and I also came away suitably enlightened. Many congratulations to Dan Lowrie, Director of Child Safety Media, his fellow staff, all the agencies involved and Freedom Leisure (who run Guildford Spectrum and make the space available).
With my feet still a little weary from the Wine Walk the previous weekend I returned to one of the vineyards, Chilworth Manor, for Guildford Philanthropy’s Corporate Ambassador evening. It was a glorious balmy evening and Sir Graham and Mia Wrigley, were the most gracious hosts. We were all able to sample the three types of wine they produce and we heard about the history of the vineyard and the growing techniques. I stepped down as Chair of Guildford Philanthropy earlier this year, although I remain on the Panel, and my successor, Nikki Ackerley, informed all present of the grants that had been awarded this year due to the generous donations made by our Corporate Ambassadors. To emphasise the impact of their contributions, Rob Kelly, from Home Start related how the grant of £9,900 made at the end of last year had helped a number of local families. Guildford Philanthropy, since it started the initiative six years ago, has welcomed 45 local businesses to join its Corporate Ambassador programme, and it has developed into a strong business networking club, meeting four times a year, as well as a force for good in the local community. If you want to know more about the Club, and how to join, information can be found here https://guildfordphilanthropy.org.uk/corporate-ambassadors/ A huge thank you to Graham and Mia, their team Nik Badain, Helen Harber and (on her first event!) Emma Biggin; also thanks to Surrey Hills Wood Fired Pizza for the delicious canapes. It was definitely more pleasurable not having to walk all the way to the vineyard, however, I had promised Graham I would turn up in my full court dress as a thank you for the hospitality and I had not banked on 25 degrees of heat!
Having spent the previous afternoon at HMP Send at the Our Time Art Exhibition, Suzanne and I visited the largest prison for men in Surrey, HMP High Down, the following day.
It houses some 1,200 convicted men (no remand prisoners) and is a Category C prison. We were welcomed by Richard Jackman, the Business and Community Engagement Manager, and spent some time with the Prison Governor, Emily Martin, who enlightened us as to the daily routine at High Down. Rehabilitation is a main focus and the need to occupy the time of inmates productively is paramount. We saw workshops teaching bricklaying, plastering, carpentry, waste management, rail track laying, bike mechanics and fabric cutting (into towels and shower curtains). Also, there is a fully functioning DHL facility within the prison, a strong horticultural scheme and a fully equipped gym and 4G pitch. All inmates are encouraged to participate, the vast majority do, and of those which start a course an amazing 99% complete it, demonstrating the positive impact it has on prison life. The skills based training is backed up by educational lessons and courses designed to prepare the men for their release.
Richard gave us an extensive tour of the prison and we had the opportunity to talk to some of the inmates who were clearly enjoying the bricklaying training. Overall the impression was an environment of structured activity, helped by the routine and stability of the prison population. Like all prisons there is a problem with drones making illegal deliveries and a vacancy list for both prison staff and probation officers but the morale of the prison staff we met seemed high and there was a mutual respect between them and the prisoners.
I was delighted to be invited, with Suzanne to meet a group of resident artists, plus alumnae, at the Private View of the Our Time exhibition 2025, on June 24th at HMP Send.
This annual event has been held since 2017 and includes work from woman artists who take part in the weekly Watts Gallery Trust Art workshops. This year nine artists were exhibiting their work. They all used different mediums and styles revealing their different personalities and backgrounds; and most of them had never produced any artworks before enrolling on the workshops. They all spoke briefly about their experience and thanked Sophie Artemis – their inspirational tutor, and Officer Stuart Gregory, who provides them with continuous support and encouragement.
Sally Varah of the Michael Varah Memorial Fund spoke about how in 2016-17 the co-founders talked to her about their aspirations to hold the first ever art exhibition inside a UK prison, planned and curated by the artists themselves, and how the MVMF has supported the exhibitions ever since.
The evening was graced by the Lord Lieutenant, a number of DLs and a posse of past High Sheriffs together with a number of other dignitaries with many of the guests purchasing artwork, greeting cards or postcards. Suzanne and I were delighted to acquire a set of three Hare pictures created by Dena, an alumna who returns each year to exhibit. It was a pleasure to speak with all the artist and hear their enthusiasm for the workshops and the exhibition.
Suzanne and I had a very uplifting evening at the grand opening of Headroom’s new premises in Farnham on June 24th.
Headroom is a mental health charity which seeks to help young people, their parents and their carers. Started by Sue Evans from a shed in her garden it later moved to Aldershot before outgrowing that space and now opening in Farnham. They offer a range of free therapeutic services that are specifically designed to meet the growing mental health crisis and alleviate pressure on local services and improve the quality of life for those they help. We heard some lived experiences from people the charity has helped and we spoke to a number of the team and the trustees who work so heard to help those in crisis.
As a Trustee of the Community Foundation, I was aware that we awarded a grant to Headroom last year which paid for over 150 one-to-one sessions which had positively benefited 33 people. They help young people aged form 11 to 25 and their parents and carers which is important as statutory help often ends at age 18, and also there is no limit to the number of sessions they will provide.
We were escorted round and introduced to everyone by Nichola Clark (Chair of Trustees) and the Mayor of Farnham and I myself gave short speeches celebrating both the achievements to date and the fact the larger premises will enable them to greatly increase the number of services they provide and young people they can support.
Visit the Website at; https://www.headroomcharity.co.uk
You can also read my speech HERE
Suzanne, Sue Evans, me and Nichola Clark.
The Headroom Team.
On Sunday June 22nd I was honoured to be present at the ‘Annual Surrey Joint Services’ Charities Choral Mattins’.
The Lord Lieutenant, many DLs and Mayors from across Surrey were present with other dignitaries at the service in Guildford Cathedral. Cadets were present from all the armed forces, together with the police cadets, and they treated the congregation after the service to a parade outside the cathedral. It was great to see so many young people participating as cadets. Being part of the cadets greatly enhances young people’s prospects by encouraging self-confidence, team-work and broadening horizons. I was delighted my two police cadet, Grace and Imogen, were present together with other police cadets; and the Chief Constable, Tim De Meyer, and I were delighted to join them for a photo afterwards.
After a LIVE phone chat to Mark Carter at BBC Radio Surrey my fifteen co-walkers and I set off at 8am on the dot from the idyllic Greyfriars Vineyard just off the Hogs Back – a fabulous starting point and our first tasting of the day – What a great way to celebrate the beginning of English Wine Week! The route ahead would take us through some of the most stunning scenery our county has to offer and along the way we would be sampling some of the best local wines plus enjoying an extra pit stop at a tucked away brewery.
It took a couple of hours to reach Chilworth Manor Vineyard where we were greeted by Sir Graham Wrigley at ‘The Watch House’ – Chilworth’s new Tasting barn sitting alongside the vines. Graham talked with absolute passion about the vineyard, its challenges and achievements. Time for our second group photo and off to stop 3 – Albury Vineyard.
Albury Organic Vineyard is nestled alongside Silent pool Gin, and Mandiras Kitchen – two other innovative and award winning Surrey Businesses, just off the A25 between Dorking and Guildford. By this time the heat of the day was taking its toll and it was nice to sit in the centre for a while out of the suns rays whilst events manager Becky, poured us all a chilled glass of their finest, which was of course very welcome too! We were also joined by Moira and David Martin from Kellys Storage, one of Guildford Philanthropy’s Corporate Ambassadors, who came to cheer us on which was a pleasant surprise! It was at this point that I announced to the walkers that we would have quite a steep incline out of the vineyard to tackle which was better received than I anticipated – the reward being a visit to the very tucked away Tillingbourne Brewery where Steve and his team proceeded to pour some of their wonderful Amber Liquid – I hasten to add that care was taken not to over-indulge and for the most of us a swift half was enough – despite it being extremely moorish!
The penultimate wine stop was High Clandon Vineyard – a private one with beautiful views over the Surrey Hills and currently home to some impressive sculptures on display. We were welcomed by Sibylla and Bruce Tindale – the owners of the estate, and each presented with a glass of their singular, matured vintage-only Cuvée, which was of course excellent. There, the weary walkers rested under the awnings in stunning surroundings no doubt trying not to think of the last leg of their journey to Denbies Hillside a tough walk through the woods where they would join the support team for water replenishment and yet more photos in front of St Barnabas Church – (the one with the tall spire at Ranmore).
And so to the easiest part of the walk (technically) – the blister squishing march down though Denbies hillside to the spectacular Denbies Hotel (some of the walkers also managed a light jog across the finishing line), where the final glass of the day awaited which of course was Denbies Wine Estate‘s finest English Sparkling Wine.
A fantastic day and a huge thanks to the walkers who all made it to the finish in one piece, to the support team, our hosts – who all looked after us brilliantly, Matt at Surrey Hills Vineyards, but most of all to every one who donated, helping us to support Guildford Philanthropy and The High Sheriffs Youth Awards. The Surrey Hills is a place of beauty and we feel lucky to have seen it in such a wonderful way. #vineyardsofthesurreyhills Below are some behind the scenes images from the day!
YOU can still help us raise money for these two great causes by donating a few quid if you can to VOSH.co.uk
Photos by Andy Newbold
On Thursday June 19th, I visited the newly opened Lighthouse Centre at the top of Guildford High Street.
The Lighthouse already operates vibrant hubs in Woking, Aldershot and Barnsbury, which offer a mix of drop-in sessions together with a plethora of group and project initiatives, and now they are opening their doors in Guildford, in a spacious former shop. They are reaching out to the local community to ascertain what is most needed but already offer a mum and baby group and a Men Matter session.
I have known of the great work they have been undertaking for a number of years and I was delighted to support their Guildford Christmas Kindness appeal as Chair of Guildford Philanthropy together with the then Mayor of Guildford, Sallie Barker, at our joint Mistletoe Ball last December.
It was therefore a pleasure that Sallie, was also at the Lighthouse when I visited and met with Erik (who heads up The Lighthouse with his wife Rebecca) and Anna the Centre Manager at Guildford.
I would like to share with you the following heartwarming words which shine a light on the values of The Lighthouse, you can find out more and donate HERE:
