A real pleasure to be in attendance at this beautiful service at St Mary’s Church, Thorpe, for the new Mayor of Runnymede, Cllr Mrs Dolsie Clarke. The music, hymns and Choir were excellent throughout, and the Vicar of St Mary’s, Father Damian Miles, did confide that Royal Holloway had also kindly provided assistance. The tea was well earned! (Great job with the photo Harry!)
A privilege to have been invited to join ACC Nev Kemp and his senior team for this excellent celebration of volunteering on behalf of the Surrey community.
And, of course, Nev himself was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours announced this morning, with the award of the Queen’s Police Medal – Congratulations from the community of Surrey!
So many well-earned rewards for Special Constables, Volunteer Police Cadets and Police Support Volunteers – superb dedication to Surrey. Thanks to three special advisors who all received Long Service Awards as Police Support Volunteers, Nail, Raj and Cliff;
Enjoyed a stimulating meeting at the CFfS HQ in Guildford with Laura (Chief Executive) and Joe (Director of Philanthropy) discussing the many, potentially huge, opportunities that exist across the county to bring together resources (through philanthropy and also use of existing facilities eg college gyms over the summer) to meet the growing demand from young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. We parted determined to do something about it – and when Laura and Joe say that, watch this space!
My visit to the Woking unit of the Surrey Volunteer Police Cadets inspired this blog for all interested young people to get in touch with their local Unit – there are six across Surrey, all staffed by experienced Police personnel on an entirely voluntary basis.
Discipline is rigorous, as is to be expected, but some of the drills are somewhat more relaxed, as you can see!
Last night was a wonderful opportunity to meet the Volunteer Police Cadets, established and new, in Woking with their Unit Commander, Martin Lock, and his exceptional team of three full-time and special officers. The entire training team are volunteers and work tirelessly to inspire young people in the area – there are still places to be filled, so get in touch! An important fact about the VPCs is that about one quarter are from vulnerable or disadvantaged backgrounds – there is no cost at all to the cadets or their families, other than time and effort, so everyone can apply.
The new cadets were being trained in the issue of Trust, and the HS had no hesitation in placing himself in the hands of three of the new recruits (awaiting delivery of their uniforms!) who performed to perfection – thank goodness!
Had a great time celebrating the fourth birthday of this famous community on-line radio station with Founder Dave (in fashionable attire in photo) and original fellow-DJ, Andy, perhaps better known for his excellent photography! Enjoyable banter about football, life in the 70s and many other topics, including Dorking Wanderers moving to their new home in the town. Have a magnificent party in Horley tonight with all of the other volunteers!
You can listen to the interview here: https://m.mixcloud.com/surreyhillsradio/breakfast-show-06-06-2018-with-the-high-sheriff/
Stunning weather and a fine setting beside the river for Jean Pinkerton’s Civic Service as the new Mayor of Spelthorne. Jean has extensive experience of the education sector and has kindly agreed to help with advice around my theme of exclusions from school. Best wishes to Jean for a hugely successful year as she champions ‘talent’ across the Borough.
I have just heard from Caroline, High Sheriff of West Sussex, that my unannounced incursion into her bailiwick to meet the Trust on Friday has been graciously overlooked. She did say, however, that if it happens again, I would have to walk the plank! As you all know from the recent High Sheriffs’ visit to Gatwick, Caroline is in the driving seat!! Many thanks for her understanding and support.
And not of the watery variety! The HS of Surrey has had to humbly apologise to the HS of West Sussex, Caroline Nicholls, for an unannounced venture into her bailiwick! The picturesque boat ride and short walk to Gennets Lock, organised by the Trust Directors, was fully booked and an excellent opportunity to see the substantial progress being made towards eventually developing the canal all the way through to Guildford, many years in the future. At the moment Gennets Lock is the West Sussex outpost in the south, just within sight of Surrey. The 300+ volunteers are doing a fine job restoring what will become an excellent community amenity for Surrey and West Sussex. Keep digging…!
The bench at the lock is fashioned from the old lock gates, and commemorates the 100s of navies who took just 3 years to create the 23 miles of original canal.
The perfect day to enjoy a detailed introduction to this great charity from Sue Weaver, Chief Officer. The interesting focus on making a ‘Life changing difference for a few, rather than a marginal difference for many’ means that there are never more than 16 young people on the register at any one time, but as Sue emphasises ‘we are always there for them, and forge lasting bonds for the future’. Change of Scene has many supporters, as I discovered when introduced by chance to a volunteer on a visit from the Surrey Community Foundation Katie Owen, in the “executive kitchen”!
