A great pleasure to meet Rosemary (CEO) and Gill (Chair and Founder) of this well established charity providing long-term support and opportunities to people with aphasia, and their families. Our previous High Sheriff, Robert Napier, was keen to ensure that Dyscover are happy after their recent relocation, and I am pleased to report (alongside Tony, Vice-Chair of Surrey County Council) that they are ‘well settled’ and as busy as ever!
Could not resist taking the shot of proud ‘master’, Scott , with his two current apprentices, Maisie and Nathan – great service assured at all times!
Met up at this fine example of social enterprise with Oli Bell and other members of the highly regarded Leatherhead Youth Project team, to learn more about their work with young people across Mole Valley. The 9 members of LYP staff and 31 volunteers deliver over 1,800 hours of vital youth work throughout the year, and are a real part of the family for many in the local communities. Everyone is welcome to get connected and the coffee is excellent (the shop manager, Scott, did not like coffee at all when he joined – now he is a total convert!) A proud Scott joined Oli and Martyina for the pic with the HS – taken by Ken, a member of another excellent Surrey charity ‘Edge of Care’, who often drops into the cafe (not sure if he was joking, but Ken is apparently available to do weddings as well!!) Great gluten free options as well.
A most impressive display of fire-fighting skills from the 11 graduates as they successfully completed their tough week of training. I joined proud parents, teachers and referrers, as we celebrated their hard-earned achievements. Every graduate has made different personal advancements during their time with the Surrey Fire and Rescue team of volunteers – it really is the chance of a lifetime! All thanks to great leadership from Mark, Steve, Bryn and the hugely impressive volunteers from Surrey FRS, ably supported by Superintendent Chris Coley, and with consistent encouragement and funding from the various Councils (Louise, CEO Tandridge DC, pictured), the PCC and the High Sheriff’s Youth Awards:
Great team effort, providing inspiration to a new generation!
The setting in the famous Chapel was stunning, the music and choristers simply sublime and the distinguished histories of the three new Honorary Fellows, Dr. Claire Gobbi Daunton, Dr Doron Swade and Dr Klaus Vedder, truly inspirational and steeped in the recent history of Royal Holloway and Bedford New College! Bedford New College was, of course, the first higher education for women in the UK – a wonderful trail blazer.
Chair of Council Stephen Cox and Principal Paul Layzell (pictured) have every reason to feel very proud of this moving event!
Very encouraging meeting with two key foundations of the Volunteer Police Cadet initiative in Surrey – Helen Hartley, Force Lead for Volunteering and the Champion himself, Sgt Graham Kerslake. The Cadets now have 6 thriving units, with the medium term objective of getting to the magic 11 – one in each borough/district in Surrey. As Grahams powerful message suggests, it’s up to all of us to get behind our Police volunteers and give them all the support they need!
Many congratulations to incoming Mayor, Dan Adams (pictured), who was this evening ‘handed the baton’ from retiring Mayor, Val White, following her very successful year. It was a pleasure to be invited to attend – my first official visit to Camberley!
What a marvellous outcome to a mad dash (all within the limit!) across Surrey to meet Elaine Tisdall and the team at the Surrey Care Trust Learning Centre in Woking (pictured).
A real pleasure to meet the ‘up to 16’ year olds, and to engage in a range of animated discussions, from the role of the High Sheriff (and the Queen!) through to which course is best at NESCOT (close run thing for Lily between professional hairdressing or a music/drama challenge!) Whatever your dreams – go for it!
It was a close run thing, when the team (below) split into two for the Royal Challenge!
The winners looked well settled;
Just before their enthusiastic competitors completed the task!
Privileged to be invited to join HRH The Earl of Wessex and my predecessor, Robert Napier DL, to see examples of the impressive DofE activities undertaken by this enterprising school team, under the Weydon Multi Academy Trust. It was also a great opportunity to meet the new Mayor of Waverley, Denise Le Gal, and the Vice-Chair of SCC, Tony Samuels (pictured). We may even have found the new Mark Knopfler amongst the talented students! Many congratulations to Head Teacher, Clare Talbot and her impactful team!
