Holocaust Memorial Day – Sunday 27 January: 'Torn From Home'

Chairman of Surrey County Council, Tony Samuels, convened a moving service in Surrey County Hall today to commemorate the victims of all holocausts, ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day this Sunday. The positive role played by many in Surrey in the 1930’s and 40’s was recognised , including Stoatley Rough School in Haslemere, where home was provided to so many children and young people escaping Nazi persecution. Rabbi Tony Hammond emphasised that we must also remember the genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and even today in Darfur. Two survivors of the Nazi persecution, Marcel and Ted, shared their own, powerful stories and provided astonishing insights into the dreadful suffering which remains with them.

 

 

HMP Coldingley – Working & Training Is The Daily Routine

 

Not the usual message from one of Her Majesty’s Prisons, but HMP Coldingley is renowned for training specialism. Of course, ‘Coldingley Industries’ have to adhere to carefully arranged rules in terms of ‘fair trading’ with local competitors, but the fact that many of the 400 prison residents are able to use these well-equipped opportunities to potentially gain qualifications recognised in the external workplace (eg advanced IT skills are supported by CISCO), provides genuine incentive to embrace the world of work. I was able to join Dan Adams, Mayor of Surrey Heath (left), as we were welcomed by Governor, Jo Simms, Head of Industries, Alan, and Residential Officer (and Key Worker), Julian(centre), who provided an in-depth visit to both the industrial/work and personal aspects of prison life. We were also able to share the views of many inmates (one studying for a OU degree, and others sharing a real passion for the various trades they were learning). An order for some printing is imminent from the High Sheriff!

Many thanks to Chris for the photo, and to Darren for some great coffee!  

 

  

  

 

 

 

Eikon Lifetrain Receive Award at Sunbury Youth Club

Arrived in a blizzard last night to join Paul (right) from Eikon Lifetrain to present the High Sheriff Youth Awards certificate to Lorraine, Sharon and Ryan for their great work in establishing the Tuesday evening ‘Bus-Shelter’ sessions so vital for young people in the area. Even in the dreadful weather, several local youngsters made it through the snow, determined to continue their boxing lessons from ‘Z’, the inspirational founder of ‘Youthbox’. Z works across Surrey from her base in Woking, and was more than willing to put Paul through his paces! 

Please all keep up the great work – how else will young Charlie (a keen member who lives close to the club and has just started at secondary school) develop into the boxing start we all know he has the potential to become?!           

 

 

 

SATRO Host 'TEENTECH' – 'Inspiring Tomorrow's Innovators'!

Chair, Howard Railton, and over 40 SATRO volunteers welcomed 340 year 8 students from schools across Surrey and even further afield, to the Surrey Sports Park to be inspired by 35 local companies. The creative and imaginative STEM challenges presented to the students in interactive sessions by the willing company experts had to be seen to be believed – just look at these towers (one beginning to wilt somewhat!) made from spaghetti and marshmallows, built at the Fluor exhibit to withstand the weight of two hefty chocolate slabs!

And on the Pirbright stand, led by a great combination of academic and support staff from the Institute, students could see mosquito larvae and adults (below – the larvae pictures on the monitor are screened from the microscope camera), and even design a lego version with altered DNA so that malaria transmission would be impossible – Terrific use of STEM subject thinking!

When the excitement got too much, the Chair of SCC, Tony Samuels, joined me in ensuring that this teacher received expert attention!!

 What a brilliantly inspiring day – many thanks SATRO!  

 

'Friends of Change of Scene' Gather In Support!

 Founder, Sue Weaver, welcomed a packed house to the launch of the supporters group, to be known as ‘Friends of Change of Scene’. CoS has been making life changing differences for local disadvantaged children for over 10 years and the time is now right for a more structured approach to ensure future sustainability. Trustees, Tania and Joanna, explained how regular income streams could be created with the ‘Friends’ voluntary support, and made the request for applications to the key positions of Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. Some exciting thoughts were shared by the CoS team around fundraising (Andrea), crafts (Erica), skilled volunteering (Janine) and marketing/publicity (Luke) – so there are many ways in which volunteers can help support this amazing charity!

 

DoC Awards for 22 Outstanding Young Volunteers at Northdowns School!

No wonder they were all cheering! The Duke of Cornwall Community Safety Awards were given in recognition of the achievements of all of these fine young volunteers in completing the detailed training course run by Brockham Emergency Response Team (BERT Trustees, Zoe and Issy are back left), all under the leadership of teacher Rona Ottawa (right, punching the air!) all fully supported by Headteacher, Jane Douglass. The pupils now know all about different possible emergencies, and what they can do to help their local community should any of them ever happen. Great support from the Frederick Wheeler Lodge, Surrey Mason Reps – completes a shining example of how communities can work together!

 

 

New Citizens Welcomed At County Hall!

Jacqueline, Deputy Superintendent Registrar (centre), led a moving ceremony as the latest group of citizens were welcomed at the Citizenship Ceremony held this morning in Kingston. Family values were strongly emphasised throughout the event, with several entire families encouraged by Jacqueline to collectively attend to pledge their futures to our country, and indeed our fine county.

The very best of good fortune to them all!

   

  

  

 

'Mamma Mia' – Charity Dancing Queens!

Mayor of Spelthorne, Jean Pinkerton (centre), arranged a sell-out ‘Mamma Mia! Sing Along’ evening at Shepperton Studios on behalf of her chosen charities, and received enthusiastic support from the Mayoress of Guildford, Jean Parsons (right), and Cath, who even managed to find an appropriate dress she had made for our eldest daughter 20 years ago! The Mayor had the excellent support of Andrew Smith, Corporate Affairs Director, Shepperton Studios, and Kathryn Maidment, Group Community Liaison, Pinewood, who both do so much for their local community in Spelthorne – thanks to you all for a great event – and a special mention for Mayor’s Consort, Linda Burton, for her delicious catering!

  

 

 

 

 

 

GBC Economic Briefing Well Received!

 Leader of Guildford Borough Council, Paul Spooner (left), welcomed a large gathering for this morning’s breakfast briefing at Guildford Harbour Hotel. GBC Director of Finance, Claire Morris (above), gave a comprehensive update on the Council’s budget for 2019/20, and although austerity certainly appears to remain with us, there was confidence that the budget was balanced and that current development plans were supported. An excellent briefing from HSBC Head of Economics, Mark Berrisford-Smith, on the Outlook for the Economic and Financial Markets in 2019, provided remarkable insights into likely repercussions from Brexit – if you get an opportunity to listen to his observations, seize it!

 

  

 

15 New Appointments To The Magistracy

Magistrates play a critical role in our judicial system, and the Surrey ranks of these dedicated volunteers were swelled by a further 15 at a Swearing-in Ceremony in the Crown Court this afternoon. Our new magistrates are proudly standing behind the seated panel (from left; Mrs Jane Macauley, JP; HH Judge Fraser, Honorary Recorder of Guildford; Michael More-Molyneux, Lord Lieutenant of Surrey and Mrs Karen Goodfellow, JP). Clerk Richard Hunt (standing right) provided excellent guidance and oversight throughout the entire proceedings, and all family and friends were delighted to join the panel members in saying ‘Thank You’ to these wonderful recruits to the Magistracy!