Queen's Award Presented to Swingbridge Volunteers

The Swingbridge volunteers at Surrey Care Trust were presented with the Queen’s Award For Voluntary Service by Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Surrey, Michael More-Molyneux, at a packed ceremony at Guildford Baptist Church, adjacent to the two Swingbridge  barges resting almost alongside on the canal. Reading the inspirational citation is Lesley Myles, the creative driving force behind the entire Swingbridge project:

Surrey care Trust CEO, Elaine Tisdall, explained that since the commissioning of the first boat, some 93,000 hours of volunteer activity have been provided to help support the wide range of clients – what a magnificent contribution to our community!

Wonderland In Guildford; Courtesy GSC!

Co Founders Matt and Sarah at Guildford Shakespeare Company have another huge success on their hands, as they lead the audience through an interactive Wonderland of Louis Carroll (real name Revd Charles Godson) inspired local landmarks, including the Museum and the Castle Keep. I will not spoil the story, albeit so well known, but at our performance ex-Mayor, Cllr Nigel Manning, was definitely guilty! (BOOK NOW TO SEE WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT!)

 

 

Lord Toulson Law Library – The Perfect Setting!

 The Lord Toulson Law Library at the University of Surrey was the ideal location for my first meeting with Dr Alex Sarch, current Head of The School of Law. Our picture (courtesy of Diane!) shows the portrait of Lord Toulson, who was appointed to the Supreme Court of Justice in 2013, and was also a Distinguished Visiting Professor here at the university. Alex is providing expert guidance (together with Dean Sarah Pooley at the University of Law in Guildford) to identify and enable even more opportunities for interaction between law students and Surrey’s judges and magistrates. Watch this space!

 

Law Sunday at Winchester Cathedral

High Sheriff of Hampshire, Mark Thistlethwayte (right), welcomed no fewer than six neighbouring High Sheriffs to join this historic Choral Mattins, ‘Law Sunday – The Twentieth Sunday After Trinity’, in this wonderful cathedral. From the left are Jacqui Swift (Dorset), Graham Barker (Berkshire) and Nicky Alberry (Wiltshire). Somehow, Charles Martel (Gloucestershire) and Gioia Minghella-Giddens (Isle of Wight) escaped the photographer! Sincere thanks to Frank Pearson, Mayor of Winchester, for his kind hospitality over lunch, and to Mark and Melissa for a truly memorable occasion!

 

Leatherhead Youth Project Gala Evening Sparkles!

A truly memorable evening was enjoyed by everyone in the packed Old Chapel at St John’s in Leatherhead. The highlight of the celebrations was a deeply moving and powerful explanation from Harriet Williamson (above) as to why LYP has meant so much to her over the years – a brilliant example of just how much the impressive work undertaken by this vital charity can support all young people living across Mole Valley. LYP CEO, Oli Bell (above), Chair Rob Stevens and fellow trustees were all delighted with the success of the evening, and are determined to ensure that the great work continues to grow in scale and effectiveness. And don’t forget – the coffee at Allsaints really is superb!

 

South Surrey Coeliacs United!

What better way to spend a Saturday than with friends at the meeting of the South Surrey Local Group of Coeliac UK?! Helen Searle, Organiser for South Surrey, provided a warm welcome to her two new members (Cath was keen to join to get the cooking tips!) and we all enjoyed some excellent GF cakes, lovingly produced by the committee members. Group Secretary, Jon Cranefield (above) was diagnosed at the same time as I was, around two years ago, and his wife, Kirsty, and children, Toby and Libby, are now all active members of Coeliac UK. Roll on the Xmas Dinner on 1st December at Clandon Regis Golf Club!

 

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….