Walton Firs Displays First Pod Village

Walton Firs Foundation Chairman, Rob Woolford (right), and CEO Andy Harvey are proudly displaying the first of three Pod Villages, which will be able to offer a further 90 beds by the end of 2018. Demand is ever increasing for access to Walton Firs Activity Centre by a wide variety of youth groups and schools across Surrey and Greater London, so the generous funding from DEFRA, Community Foundation For Surrey and other supporters, will make a real difference to so many young people. Display is open until 3.00pm today, so drop in and have a tour!

 

Graduation At Walton Fire Station

 Group Commander, Bryn Strudwick, invited the Chairman of Surrey County Council, Tony Samuels and many civic dignitaries to join the latest Graduation Ceremony in the powerful Youth Engagement Scheme, run by Surrey Fire and Rescue Service. Essential and much appreciated support is provided by Walton Charity, the High Sheriff Youth Awards and the Police & Crime Commissioner, in addition to SCC and the Boroughs and Districts. The ten young people graduating today bring the total to an astonishing 610 who have enjoyed this inspirational opportunity since the scheme began. As always, particular thanks to Mark Taylor (my right), and the many volunteers who make this programme possible, and help enhance young lives. A HSYA Certificate was the least we could do to say ‘thank you’!

 

 

Queens Award For Fairwood Helpers!

The Chairman of Surrey County Council, Tony Samuels, joined us in being greeted to the celebrations by Chair of Fairwood Helpers, Sue Harris. Having reached 20 years of successful operations, with over 10,000 jobs completed, Sue, the trustees and the 46 strong team of volunteers are always looking for new members to ensure that everyone in the Worplesdon community will always have support at hand to help with those essential trips. The Queen’s Award For Voluntary Service is great recognition for these caring and dedicated local volunteers.

 

70/20 celebrations at Surrey Heritage!

What a jewel we have in the Surrey History Centre in Woking – if (like me!) you have never visited before you really should go. Surrey County Council and the Surrey History Trust welcomed civic dignitaries from across our county to celebrate the 70th Birthday of Surrey Heritage, and the 20th of the History Centre itself. The force behind the creation of the centre was Heather Hawker, and we were able to share her memories of all of the intrigue from those days, as well as to say thank you for her wonderful achievement. Heather is seen above at the entrance to her very own room! The Chair of SCC, Tony Samuels (below), has even used the centre to prove to his American friends that baseball was an English invention – he has not been back to the USA since….

  

 

GSA Inspires Six Young People For Life!

 Avid readers will remember that Sean McNamara, Head of Guildford School of Acting (centre), very generously donated no less that six much-coveted places at the renowned GSA Summer School, for worthy young people across Surrey, all from disadvantaged backgrounds and facing severe challenges in life. Director of the Summer School, Jerry, was delighted to learn of the overwhelmingly positive feedback from the young people and their carers/families and Pippa, who acted as the critical link between GSA and the various charities and Family Services teams involved, is determined to develop those relationships over the coming years. Brilliant team effort GSA!

 

'Catalyst' – Helping People Change

 

This wonderful Surrey-wide charity supporting people fighting drug and alcohol addiction, is based in Guildford in a building with very close links to Alan Turing, so no surprise on my first visit to be taken proudly to the ‘Enigma Room’ and to the very site of Turing’s bath! This relaxed sense of enjoyment typifies the approach taken by everyone at Catalyst, which is why their broad range of counselling services and support programmes are so successful. We enjoyed sharing thoughts on how these scarce yet crucial capabilities could be utilised to even greater effect through the development of further partnerships. Sue Murphy (CEO – to my right), Warren Rockett (Chair – to my left) and Patron, Lady Louise O’Connor (front right) are determined that ‘austerity’ will not stand in the way of developing Catalyst’s activities within our community by reaching even more ‘exceptionally isolated and disengaged people’. 

 

Surrey Investiture of British Empire Medals

An inspiring and thoroughly enjoyable evening at Loseley House, as the Lord Lieutenant, Michael More-Molyneux (centre), Sarah (on my left) and Vice-Lord Lieutenant, Bill Biddell (right), welcomed eight worthy recipients of the BEM, rewarding sustained, local contributions and innovative, high impact work, much appreciated by our community, as represented by Surrey County Council Chair, Tony Samuels (second right). The citations and detailed stories over refreshments provided a welcome opportunity to share and celebrate good news and outstanding achievements across Surrey – all thanks to the following dedicated volunteers and pillars of our society;

Rvd David Ireland (Mickleham); Stuart Dakers (Farnham); James Allen (Byfleet); Michael Barnes (Haslemere)

Sue Ann Tatham (Mickleham); Janet Thompson (Aphsia Sufferers); Georgina Kirchener (Pony Club); Christine Mathez-Davey (Historic Houses)  

 

 

Patchworking Garden – New Kitchen/Cabin Open For Business!

Carmel O’Shea, founder of this wonderful charity in Dorking, explained just how important a ready supply of tea and cakes is for all visitors, volunteers and staff – and they can now be guaranteed all year round thanks to this wonderful new facility. As with all Patchworking Garden projects, this was a real team effort and I was delighted to be able to perform the official opening in front of a full house!

As you can see, Mo also joined us for the first cuppa!

Lord Lieutenant's Cadet of the Year 2018

In front of an enthusiastic packed house at Denbies, the South East Reserves & Cadet’s Association (SERFCA) Awards recognised the outstanding achievements of many volunteer reserves, cadets and leaders. The Lord Lieutenant, Michael More-Molyneux, proudly recognised his three Cadets of the Year, as follows;

Leading Cadet Jemima Tiley – Sea Cadet Corps

Cadet Corporal Maisie Walker – Army Cadet Force

Cadet Sergeant Ben Munsun – Air Training Corps

Outstanding Individuals from amongst the two thousand strong combined cadet force within Surrey, all professionally trained, counselled and led by the many Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, without whom none of this great work would be possible.

 

In Support of The Justice Service For Kent

My first ever visit to Rochester today was courtesy of the thoughtful invitation from Jane Ashton, High Sheriff of Kent, to join this service in the inspiring venue of Rochester Cathedral (a place of Christian worship since AD604)

 Jane and Hubert were particularly proud to have their son, Rev Sam Ashton, visiting from the USA to provide excellent support as High Sheriff’s Chaplain. Anyone who has not yet seen the Cathedral should definitely have it on their list!