Funding was agreed from the High Sheriff Youth Awards earlier in the year for Sue Weaver (Chief Officer) and Kim (left) to undertake a pilot scheme to help one young person requiring support and assistance to avoid becoming excluded from school. The project is now well underway and, with Kim’s expert guidance, results already look most promising. Presenting the HSYA Certificate was an absolute pleasure!
Lead Worker, Sharon Burke (left) welcomed me to one of the first Tuesday night sessions for the Bus Outreach programme, and introduced me to fellow professionals Ryan and Lorraine. the team briefed me fully on the plans for the coming months and I was delighted to accept an invitation to join one of the Tuesday Boxing sessions planned in January (but only as an observer!). One of the young people making good use of the Club was also an excellent photographer, as you can see!
Sincere thanks to Cllr Jean Pinkerton, Mayor of Spelthorne (left), for arranging an inspiring visit to this transformation undertaken by The King’s Community Church, Staines. The Well provides a community facility where people can feel safe and be welcomed into a relaxing environment by Pastor Paul(left), his wife Christine, Chair of Trustees, Keith (right), and other volunteers.
The breadth of activities really are amazing, and includes the provision of very helpful advice in areas such as dealing with family debt. The Tap Dancing class for the over 70’s is very popular and a great example of the imaginative schedule throughout the week. The Well really is the centre of the community, and a centre of refreshment for all – the gluten free cakes were wonderful!
Leadership Team Support, Liz Gibson, invited me to meet the pupils at a special assembly to explain the role of the High Sheriff, and to announce the winners of the Head/Deputy Head for the day competition. Liz’s Democracy Week programme had already enabled the Mayor of Runnymede, Dolsie Clarke, to meet the pupils and prime them with some very challenging questions! The competition for the special ‘roles for the day’ was really tough, with different manifestos being debated by the pupils and final voting arranged in a very thorough way – just like the elections we adults know so well. The worthy winners were Olivia (right) as Deputy Head for the day, and Lily (left) as Head for the day on Friday. I have no doubt that they will be excellent in their new roles!
I was asked many searching questions during assembly, and a video is now circulating on twitter showing me struggling to keep up with all of the sharp minds present!
If you need an uplifting way to start the day, just visit one of Surrey’s invaluable Children’s Centres and chat to the Mums as they arrive! This morning was the Haven, Staines where I was able to meet Centre Manager, Debbi Keeley (second left) and her team. As Debbie and the Mums explained, the various activities and support services are maximised through the very close working relationship with Hythe Community Primary School next door, so that children are able to move without disruption from the Haven to their first school. A very positive introduction to formal education!
As the day started across the country at 6.00am with pipers playing ‘The Battle’s O’er’, so it ended in the most appropriate way with WW1 Beacons of Light being lit simultaneously throughout the land at 7.00pm. Civic Dignitaries joined Dean Dianna at Guildford Cathedral to hear the Last Post from bugler Adam Wright, followed by ‘A Cry For Peace’ powerfully and splendidly rendered by Town Crier, David Peters. It was my privilege to light the flame on behalf of everyone across Surrey.
Many thanks to Mole Valley Deputy Chair, Mary Huggins, for ensuring that we took the opportunity to wave encouragement to the Rickshaw Challenge as it passed through Dorking, at great pace, shortly after the town Act Of Remembrance. Very best wishes to One Show’s Matt Baker and the members of the Rickshaw Challenge team providing the engine power – let’s all give them our full support!
High Sheriff’s Volunteer Police Cadet, Naeel Radha, provided excellent support throughout the Remembrance Service, attended by numerous members of the various cadet forces, scouts, guides and school representatives, in addition to serving members of the Armed Forces and associated reserve units. The RBL were present in strength, as always, and a huge crowd gathered to follow the procession to the Dorking War Memorial for an emotional Act of Remembrance. Bishop Jo provided a powerful insight into just one of the fallen; a youth who signed up aged 14 and died just 18 months later. WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.
A distinguished assembly climbed to the Bell Room in the Cathedral Tower for 6.00am to witness the magnificent rendition of ‘Battle’s O’er’ from Pipe Sgt Ed Lee, a Y13 student at Gordon’s School. Proud parents, Susan and Derek (right), joined (from left) the Lord Lieutenant, Mayor of Guildford, The Dean of Guildford, Chairman of SCC, The Bishop of Guildford and DL Richard Whittington. An unforgettable occasion!
A memorable and very moving Choral Evensong at the Cathedral featured the Cathedral Choir, The Almac Bisley Brass Band and an astonishingly poignant and beautifully sung Anthem. Following the display of falling poppies, many of the congregation were then able to join the ‘The Poppy Dinner’ and help raise funds for the RBL. A wonderful way to continue ‘Remembrance Weekend at the Cathedral’!