Invited to attend a donor event of the Community Foundation for Surrey and had the opportunity to talk about the role of the High Sheriff and in particular my interest during my Shrieval year in the troubling issue of young people being excluded from schools. This was very relevant as the CF have recently established an Education Fund. Since its establishment in 2005 the CF has raised an amazing £22million to help those in need in Surrey.
FISH = Fun In School Holidays and is a week of activities run by Guildford Borough Council for 120 young people. Visited today at Kings College Park Barn and saw a huge range of activities from climbing to art to sport all under the watchful eyes of trained staff. A great atmosphere with relaxed and confident looking attendees, many from families on benefits. The charity SATRO (supported by the High Sheriff Youth Awards) was present with their Mobile Construction Classroom brilliantly managed by Robert Mancini to the great benefit of the participants.
YMCA East Surrey is active in the Goodwyns Estate in Dorking working with 30+ 12-16 year olds living in that area. Under the enthusiastic leadership of Tina Antwi we witnessed an art and craft session with girls who were very engaged. They were clearly enjoying and benefitting from the YMCA staff support.
Visited Staines Police Station yesterday, HQ of one of the three Divisions of Surrey Police. Was warmly welcomed by Chief Superintendent Lynette Shanks and her colleagues. Lively conversations included topics of community behaviour orders, child exploitation, offenders’ management, burglary and neighbourhood policing. All very encouraging that such committed and experienced Police Officers are keeping the Surrey public safe.
Delightful afternoon tea (proper home made scones) with some of the residents of the Hatch Mill Residential & Nursing Home in Farnham, an Abbeyfield Home. Made very welcome by the residents and their very professional and dedicated staff in the Home, which has a particularly welcoming atmosphere. Great chat around the tea tables.
I read the citations for two gentlemen who received their British Empire Medals from the Lord Lieutenant with their proud families in attendance. John has worked tirelessly for the people living in the Old Dean Estate in Camberley and Richard for the residents of the Parish of Ewhurst. Congratulations to them both.
Another Citizenship Ceremony with 30 individuals, including a number of children, from a wide range of countries becoming citizens of the UK. A delight as always to meet them and they seem to like being photographed next to the High Sheriff’s uniform.
Moor House is a Specialist School and College for boys and girls with language and related communication difficulties. It is a national Centre of Excellence with pupils (aged 7 to 19, 150 in total with 50 boarders) coming from 24 counties across England and wonderfully cared for by 150 staff. They provide a highly specialist, safe, caring and stimulating learning environment with therapy embodied within the curriculum. An OFSTED rating of Outstanding for the last five years says it all. Such a ranking is thanks to a staff led by the Principal Mrs Helen Middleton who leads from the front with the personal passion and belief that whatever the difficulties students can be empowered to reach their potential. Do visit www.moorhouseschool.co.uk. A school Surrey should be proud of.
At the Watts Gallery this evening we said farewell to Nick Tromans who has been an exemplary Curator for the last five years. He masterminded a series of excellent exhibitions and has been instrumental in the well advanced plan for a cast of the Physical Energy sculpture (currently in the forecourt of the Royal Academy in Piccadilly) to be located on the A3 above the Gallery as the “Angel of the South”. As a Trustee of the Watts I thank Nick for leaving the Gallery with a reputation enhanced by his efforts.
As we celebrated the 100th anniversary of the RAF, I had the privilege this morning of sitting beside a 95 year old RAF veteran, Ft Lt Reginald Edwards, who inter alia flew Dakotas chasing the Japanese out of Burma in 1945. A very lively gentleman. The occasion was a Commemorative Flag Raising Ceremony hosted by the Mayor of Reigate at Reigate Town Hall, with a cadet from Reigate Grammar School raising the RAF Ensign. A very special occasion crossing generations.
