Headteacher, William, and Deputy Head, Louise, introduced me to some powerful Vikings during my visit to address a special assembly at the school. The Head Girl and Boy, together with the Deputy Head Girl and Boy (all voted for by their peers after intense campaigning) were the perfect hosts and ensured that we were joined by several of the pupils after assembly for a farewell picture!
A great start to the day at the invitation of Sue Burgess, Centre Manager, and her Deputy, Diane (left). We were joined by Clarendon Primary School Headteacher, William Neale (right) and had the opportunity to meet Mums during a Parenting Session and share their passionate, and often astonishing, stories of how important the Children’s Centre is for them. One Mum explained how all of her children had been keen members of the Children’s Centre over some 10 years, since it’s opening.
Very impressive to see the way that Sue and the team work closely with Clarendon Primary School, and Andrew is a firm advocate of the process ensuring smooth transitions through Nursery School (also on site) and on to the Primary School – my next visit!
Chairman of Unum UK, Malcolm McCaig (left), and Chief Executive Unum UK, Peter O’Donnell, welcomed their national and local charity partners for a Charity Afternoon Tea in London. Unum are a very large employer within Surrey, and have an impressive programme of support for local communities within an impactful Corporate Social Responsibility strategy. The approach includes matching employee fundraising; employee volunteer days; payroll giving; Charity Partners (nominated and chosen by staff) and a company grants programme for local charities. Malcolm explained that ‘Giving Tuesday’ is recognised in over 70 countries across the world – no better day on which to say ‘thank you’ to some wonderful Surrey charities!
Very grateful to Head Teacher, Donna (holding a regular user!), and Deputy, Helen, for taking time to brief Lady Louise O’Connor and the High Sheriff on the current consultation which will decide the future of Children’s Centres across Surrey. As both experts emphasised, it is vital that all parents get involved in this process so that all needs, expectations and views can be fully considered by Surrey County Council. All of the children we met were certainly committed to Dorking Nursery School & Children’s Centre!
Sara David, Editor of BBC Sussex & BBC Surrey, and Mark Carter, Assistant Editor, welcomed a wonderful gathering of nominees and supporters from across Sussex and Surrey to this prestigious awards ceremony. High Sheriffs from both West Sussex (Caroline Nicholls, with Consort David) and Surrey were delighted to be asked to announce the judges’ choices in two of the nine categories, with the Outstanding Achievement Award this year given posthumously to Ellie Soutter, the elite snowboarder who tragically died on her eighteenth birthday. Her Mum and Dad accepted the Award and explained how Ellie’s memory lives on in the impactful work of the Ellie Soutter Foundation.
Surrey was brilliantly represented throughout the evening, and we enjoyed celebrating with the following category winners;
Sgt David McClean – ‘999’
Agnes Kwiatkowska – ‘Carer’
Horsell Care – ‘Good Neighbour’
Ken Griffiths – ‘Volunteer’
Emily Bollon – ‘Music & Arts’
As you can see, Em was delighted by her award, as was the High Sheriff (we served together on Council at the University of Surrey, when Em was Student President)!
Wendy Varcoe (behind the tree!), Executive Director of Surrey Hills Enterprises, has been working with Ella Driscoll (shovel in hand!) and the entire team from Shere Kitchens, on this heartwarming initiative to help restore the natural habitat of the endangered White-Letter Hairstreak butterfly. This rare Surrey resident is wholly dependant on Elm trees, now themselves scarce following the ravages of Dutch Elm Disease. Not only are Shere Kitchens planting a tree for every kitchen that they make (a thoughtful and very welcome support for local conservation and sustainability), each one will be an Elm to help link the existing two butterfly populations at Clandon Wood Nature Reserve. And here is the beautiful beneficiary!
Making a triumphant return for the second year, the wonderful ‘Guildford In Harmony’ concert was introduced by Oakleaf Patron, Dame Penelope Keith, and presented by the irrepressible co-founder of Guildford Shakespeare Company, Matt Pinches. Oakleaf ‘make life work with mental illness’, and no better way than to assemble five magnificent choirs and enjoy an inspiring evening of great song. The choirs all deserve special mention; Guildford Vox; Guildford Jazz; Guildford County School; Bellow Fellows (all the way from North London!) and the recently formed Everyman Choir. Everyman (below) are an all-male choir formed through Oakleaf itself, and are led by the fantastic Roger Pinsent. Roger was ill and could not attend, but all present wish you a speedy recovery Roger – they did you proud! (and thanks to Dom for standing in at short notice). A great evening of entertainment, with a friendly welcome for all from Trustee, Paul Charlesworth (left) and CEO, Clive Stone, (second right). We can see that Matt (front) is rather used to being in photos!!
Headmistress Alice Phillips and Chairman of Governors, Peter Martin welcomed Lord Lieutenant Michael and Sarah More-Molyneux, Civic Dignitaries and proud families and friends to this annual celebration of patronal day. And what a celebration! Pupils had already enjoyed a day full of events, including an early Xmas Dinner, but had plenty of energy and talent in reserve to deliver a concert of the highest quality. As St Catherine’s Day is also Thanksgiving in the USA, it was wholly appropriate that Gershwin compositions began and ended the programme, with girls throughout the school fully engaged in the various orchestras, choirs, brass ensemble, and wind/fife & drum/jazz bands, superbly organised by Matthew Greenfield (right). Talented members of the sixth form musicians and singers, were delighted to join Nick Williams, Mayor of Godalming (left) and Mary Foryszewski, Deputy Mayor of Waverley, for a final farewell!
Excellent diary planning (by Gill!) ensured that the address by The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Burnett, to the AGM of the Association of High Sheriffs of England & Wales in London on Wednesday, was followed by my introduction to the Family Court in Guildford on Thursday. Lord Burnett identified his key priorities as Modernisation; Improvement to Infrastructure and Recruitment. Throughout my memorable visit to Guildford Family Court, organised by His Honour Judge Peter Nathan, Designated Family Judge for Surrey, I was able to fully understand the essential nature of those three priority areas. I spend time throughout the day with many of the Circuit and District Judges, and was able to express sincere thanks on behalf of all Surrey residents for their dedication and service to our community.
Inspired by Shahid Azeem, second right (High Sheriff in Nomination for 2020-21), the Woking Asian Business Forum have, for the eleventh year, gifted the impressive Xmas tree in Jubilee Square to everyone in Woking. A thoughtful action much appreciated by Woking Borough Council, High Sheriff and everyone in the local community. Watch out for the celebrity switching on of the lights!