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!

 

 

Surrey Hills Wood Fair In Full Swing at Cranleigh Showground!

This new location for the Wood Fair at Fish Pond Copse within the Cranleigh Showground, is perfect for the many unique displays and exhibits. Even if the weather is somewhat damp today, you are assured of a bright welcome – and some sunnier spells for the second day tomorrow. It was a great pleasure to meet Simon Whalley, Chair of Surrey Hills Enterprises, and Sally Ashford, Partner at Charles Russell Speechlys (one of the key Corporate Sponsors);

 

 

Visiting High Sheriffs Support Surrey!

The ‘Service For The Judiciary’ held at Holy Trinity Church, Guildford, and afterwards at the Guildhall (courtesy Mike Parsons, Mayor of Guildford and GBC) , was supported by two great friends of Surrey, visiting High Sheriffs, Jane Ashton (Kent) and Mark Thistlethwayte (Hampshire). I look forward to being able to offer my support at their respective ceremonies at Rochester Cathedral (Sunday 7th October) and Winchester Cathedral (Sunday 14th October). Wonderful to see such Shrieval co-operation!

 

Holy Trinity Church Hosts Annual Service For The Surrey Judiciary

Since the Middle Ages this service has marked the formal start of the judicial year, and provides the ideal opportunity for the Surrey community to support and thank those who give their best energies to the good ordering of our society: judges and magistrate (Resident Judge at Guildford Crown Court, HH Judge Robert Fraser (below) gave the first reading); police officers (the Chief Constable Nick Ephgrave, led the High Sheriff’s procession); those who work in the coroners office, the prisons and in the probation services; legal professionals and the many volunteers who work with victims and who help to rehabilitate offenders.

 

 Following the Chief Constable are High Sheriff’s Cadet of the Year, Naeel Radha, 

the Under Sheriff, Caroline Breckell, and the High Sheriff’s Chaplain, the Rev Alan Jonas, all key elements in the successful service created by Canon Robert Cotton, Rector of Holy Trinity Church.

Matthew Arnold School See 'East To West' As A Key Resource

As Headteacher Mary Gould (centre) emphasised, ‘it is all about people’, and the Relational Support Worker from East To West, Clare Sampson (left), is a much valued, and highly respected, member of the Matthew Arnold team. Mary’s briefing on the complex issues around permanent exclusions was invaluable, and the determination from the entire school leadership to identify self-generated, creative solutions was most inspiring. Once again, East To West CEO, Ant Horton, ensured that the spotlight of thanks was quite rightly on Clare, who has some exceptional ideas about possible future initiatives for the charity!

 

 

Thomas Knyvett College Hosts East To West Award Ceremony!

 

Renowned Headteacher, Janise Marillat (left), kindly hosted the presentation of the High Sheriff Youth Awards certificate to East To West CEO, Ant Horton (right), who insisted that the recipient should be their on site Relational Support Worker, Caz McGrath, as ‘she does all of the great work’! Janise and Caz explained the powerful impact that the partnership between school and charity can have in supporting young people and ensuring that everything possible is done to avoid permanent exclusions. With around 40 years of experience at TKC, Janise was able to identify many possible initiatives to assist her efforts on behalf of the Ashford community, and I will certainly be sharing her ideas with Jean Pinkerton, Mayor of Spelthorne and experienced ex-Headteacher herself!

Guildford Recognises Eagle Radio's Peter Gordon

Peter now enters the prestigious Guildford Roll Of Honour as an exceptional individual who has made a significant impact for good in his home town. Famous for his ever popular Breakfast Show on Eagle Radio, Peter is also very active in local charities, promotes local business, arts and cultural events and is, of course, a firm favourite at the Yvonne Arnaud (Oh yes he is!)

Joint hosts Mayor Mike Parsons (right) and Vice-Chancellor Professor Max Lu (second left) presented Peter with his Award on behalf of Guildford Borough Council and the University of Surrey. The event was flawlessly overseen by Greg Melly, Snr V-P Advancement & Community, University of Surrey, and included some brilliant entertainment from the GSA Singers.

Another great example of the ‘town/gown’ partnership bolstering the local community!

 

National Crimebeat Awards – Advice from Tamara Cooper at Surrey Police

Tamara is Public Protection Strategic Manager, and received a Chief Constable’s Commendation earlier in the year for her impactful work in adapting the ‘Total Respect’ course (run by the Children’s Rights Service) for use within Surrey Police. This powerful initiative called upon young people who have experience of living in care to deliver the content and to raise the issues affecting ‘looked after’ children. Over 450 police officers and staff attended the training towards the end of 2017, including Deputy Chief Constable, Gavin Stephens, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. There is no doubt that such excellent work is the stuff of further Awards nominations – National Crimebeat watch this space!

 We are pictured (courtesy of great photographic skills from Jude, Tamara’s PA!) in the Surrey Police Memorial Garden, another of Tamara’s projects, which she completed with her ‘Saturday Gardening Club’ of students from Merrist Wood College. Great volunteering effort! 

 

Mayor of Surrey Heath Supports Focus On Permanent Exclusions from School

Mayor Dan Adams provided powerful support, guidance and advice this morning as we discussed my theme for the year – the issue of permanent exclusions of pupils from schools. I will be joining with Dan to learn from schools, colleges, businesses and third sector organisations across Surrey Heath exactly what is required to help break the insidious links between exclusions and later negative involvement with the police, judicial, probation and prison systems. 

 The image is the Surrey Heath Mosaic, created with the help of Cordwalles Junior School; Crawley Ridge Junior School; Frimley CoE School and Mytchett Primary School. What further motivation could we require!

 

Guildford Remembers – Dedication of New War Memorial

All credit to Mayor, Cllr Mike Parsons, Guildford Borough Council and their military and charity partners for their collective decision to dedicate a new War Memorial to all those from the community who have given their lives in service since 1945. The moving Eucharist of Sacrifice and Commitment was led by Canon Robert Cotton in Holy Trinity Church, followed by the Dedication of Guildford’s new memorial in the Castle grounds. It was a great privilege to be in attendance with the Lord Lieutenant, Michael More- Molyneux, and the sculptor of the memorial, David Annand;

 

The presence of many members of the families who had lost loved ones provided special memories on a very special day.