'Democracy Week' at Hythe Community Primary School

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! 

 

The Haven – Another Great Children's Centre (Just ask the Mums!)

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!

  

 

Remembrance Sunday National Finale – A Cry For Peace

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.

    

 

Children in Need Rickshaw Challenge Visits Dorking

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!  

 

Dorking Remembrance Service At St Martin's

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. 

Battle's O'er

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!

 

 

 

Evensong Of Remembrance At The Cathedral

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’!

 

104 Year Old Shrieval Legacy Donated to Surrey Heritage

 

104 year ago the High Sheriff of Surrey was an inspirational and caring man from Merrow, John St Loe Strachey. At the beginning of WW1, amidst all of the fervent patriotism, John recognised the need for some means of self identification for those young men who attempted to sign up in the armed forces, but were deemed unfit for whatever reason. He created a badge, ‘The Strachey Willing Badge’, for those individuals to wear with pride. Only one such badge was known to still exist before the recent discovery on farmland in Send by a local detector, Steve Benedict, working under the guidance of Andy Jones, who discovered a second. In a perfect example of timely public-spiritedness, Andy (second right) yesterday donated this badge to Surrey Heritage. It was a privilege as the 797th named High Sheriff of Surrey, to accept this wonderful example of the generosity of spirit of past High Sheriff John St Loe Strachey. More details of this incredible find in a few days!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Surrey Care Awards 2018

Surrey Care Association Chairman, David Holmes, and CEO, Erica Lockhart, welcomed over 400 enthusiastic members, supporters and, most importantly, worthy Nominees to the 10th Annual Awards Ceremony, held at Epsom Downs Racecourse. The Awards recognise the outstanding dedication of individuals and teams working in adult social care, and were hosted by famous radio personalities, David (‘Diddy’ – a nickname bestowed by no less than Ken Dodd, David explained!) Hamilton and the lovely Sylvie Blackmore, from BBC Surrey. Sylvie had literally just accepted a marriage proposal, so wild celebrations were certainly the order of the day! Delighted to have been able to help present the Award for ‘Outstanding Contribution To Social Care’ to the irrepressible Michael Gains, our friend from Cedar Court;

 A great evening with some wonderful, caring people – as was constantly emphasised during the celebrations, every nominee was a true winners!   

 

A Special Remembrance Service At Surrey Police HQ

A very special Remembrance Service was held today at Mount Browne, where a plaque was dedicated to three men who had been police officers in the Guildford Borough Police and who lost their lives in WW1 whilst serving in the Coldstream Guards and Scots Guards. At that time there were three police forces in the county, and whilst the 15 officers in the then Surrey Constabulary who fell are all remembered on a plaque at HQ, this was the first opportunity to recognise the three officers from Guildford Borough Police. The Service was opened by DCC Gavin Stephens, and the Deputy Lord Lieutenant Major General Tim Sulivan delivered a moving address. All present were particularly grateful to the PCC, David Munro, and Chief Constable, Nick Ephgrave, for providing this unique opportunity, and to Phil Bradman and Sarah Best from Surrey History Centre, for their extensive research into the military careers of the three officers;

 

PC 14 William George DEACON

PC 20 Sidney Charles MACEY

PC 23 Henry John GASCOYNE DCM 

 

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM