Visited the Elmbridge Volunteer Police Cadet unit at the recently built Three Rivers Academy in Hersham. The 20 cadets who qualified into uniforms last November were a very impressive group of young people clearly hugely benefiting from their experience of being Police Cadets. The new cadets will soon I am confident under the great guidance of the Police Officers be their match. Thank you as always to the Police staff who are largely volunteers.
Attended the South of England Agricultural Society annual competition for young people with mild or moderate learning difficulties. Students from Colleges brought evidence of their work and took part in practical tasks on the day. One of which was to make a scarecrow. There were ten teams of which three were from Surrey involving 80+ young people. There was a splendid award ceremony where every participant felt rewarded. The happy looks on there faces said it all. Really worthwhile.
The Community Foundation of Surrey held their Annual Celebration Reception last evening at the Picture Gallery at Royal Holloway University sponsored by Barclays Bank and the University. They have a lot to celebrate having made 2,700 grants amounting to £7.9million over twelve years and also build up a substantial endowment of over £10 million. . The Foundation is committed to raise funds too support the needs of Surrey’s pockets of very marked deprivation. Their recently published Impact Report demonstrates the money they allocate has been put to very good use helping thousands of individuals.
Paid a second visit to the GASP Workshop near Shere. Under the leadership of the Chair Sally Varah and the CEO Henry Curwen they provide through practical engineering the opportunity for young people to discover new talents, re-engage with learning and gain in confidence. A charity that really makes a difference to young people’s lives .
Attended a Watts Gallery dinner at the Royal Academy to celebrate the Bicentenary of the birth of G F Watts and the display of Physical Energy in the Royal Academy’s Courtyard, the latter is a very impressive sight just off Piccadilly, do go and see it. If enough money can be raised Physical Energy will be installed adjacent to the A3 above the Watts Gallery.
Surrey’s “Angel of the North”.
Choral Evensong at Guildford Cathedral yesterday was inspiring enough without the added delight of the dedication of the refurbished pipe organ. They have been using an electronic organ during the refurbishment of the whole Cathedral but yesterday evening they “switched on” the pipe organ for the final voluntary and then invited the congregation to stay for a short recital by Katherine Dienes-Williams of three further organ pieces. The almighty sound filled the vastness of the Cathedral and was quite inspiring. What a delight.
Presented the prizes yesterday evening to the winners off the Soroptimist STEM challenge for girls. This took place, very appropiately in the Physics Department of Royal Holloway University and on International Women’s’ Day . The young ladies were in schools years 8 and 9 and seven groups demonstrated their ideas for helping people in the poorest parts of the world. Lots of great proposals from a mobile fridge to water purification. Well done to the winners. chosen by an eminent group of scientists (pictured).
Attended the Annual Awards Ceremony for the cadet units and the individuals who raised the most funds for the Royal British Legion Poppy appeal last November. The event took place in the Chapel of the Royal Alexandra & Albert School in Reigate and included some great music from the school choir and orchestra. Inspiring to see the smart turn out, salutes and the smiles on their faces as the winners received their certificates from the Lord-Lieutenant.
Delighted to attend a Supporters’ Lunch for Transform Housing and Support hosted by Baroness Bottomley in the House of Lords. Although the purpose was not to mark Paul Mitchell’s imminent retirement all present recognised the enormous contribution Paul has made to the success of Transform which has supported so many thousands of individuals in Surrey during his time as the boss.
Invited by the Lord Lieutenant to attend the presentation of British Empire Medals to six very deserving recipients. A splendid ceremony in the stunning location of the Great Hall at Loseley. Pictured is one of the ladies who received a medal. She has worked in a primary school in Haselmere for the last 34 years and through her efficiency and friendliness provides enduring support to pupils and staff alike. A very real delight to meet her.
