Watts Farewell

The Trustees and staff of the Watts Gallery said farewell and a huge thank you to Richard Ormond after his 37 years yes THIRTY SEVEN years of service to the Watts Gallery as Chairman of the Trustees. The Gallery is a very different place from 37 years ago and more particularly from 10 years ago. The place is transformed into “Watts Gallery Artist Village” and is now a “must visit” location in Surrey. Richard, who is a very distinguished art historian (the world expert on Singer Sargent) brought his deep knowledge, leadership and charm (and benefaction) to so successfully lead the Gallery to what it is today. It was privilege and pleasure to work with him. We wish all success to his worthy successor MaryAnne Stevens. 

 

 

Fordway Centre

Visited this Short Stay School (Pupil Referral Unit) in Ashford which caters for primary school pupils who are struggling to manage in mainstream schools. They work with pupils’ individual needs to improve behaviour for learning with the intention of returning them to a mainstream school. I have to say I was shocked and saddened at how young some of their pupils were  but gladdened by the commitment (and patience) of the wonderful staff I met. They are real heroes who are changing (before it is too late) for the better the life prospects of these young children. The key to success , as explained to me by David Euridge, who is the Executive Head teacher (and looks after three PRUs), is the collaboration with the primary schools to help their teachers learn more about behaviour management to both reduce exclusions  and to help re-entry for children from PRUs. 

 

 

SAFE DRIVE STAY ALIVE

600 young people sat in Dorking Halls yesterday morning to a “show” designed to change the way they drive and save young people’s lives from the disaster of road accidents. Films and personal speakers including parents who have lost a child, a child who has lost a parent and a permanently seriously casualty delivered extraordinary powerful messages of the brutal truth of the dangers on the road. It was all very emotive and engaging. Started in 2005, this month 12,000 young people from almost all the schools in Surrey will attend 19 performances. Evidence show that the number of drivers/passengers killed or seriously injured by a young driver/rider has fallen from 122 in 2004 to 72 in 2016. Congratulations to Russell Pearson and his staff at the Surrey Fire and Rescue Service for  so effectively delivering these life saving events. The High Sheriff Youth Awards is a committed supporter of these events. 

 

Send Excellence

This blog is written by my very supportive Chaplain, Revd. Peter Wintgens.  We visited Send Prison where we were received by the Governor, Carlene Dixon. She was refreshingly honest about the challenges of the job the prison has to do. A relatively small womens’ prison (282 inmates) containing dedicated therapeutic services and a chaplaincy with an impressive lead chaplain with 80 volunteers. We also met a number of prisoners who were very positive about the rehabilitation programmes. Led by the Governor, Send Prison is dedicated to the well being of and a non re-offending future for the inmates. 

 

Change of Scene

 

Visited Change of Scene, a small charity making a life changing difference for disadvantaged young people. The charity runs a small holding of 16 acres with a wide range of animals from tortoises to pigs (the photo is of Boris!!). Children come for sessions to help manage the live stock and learn about the country side. they are gaining new skills but, most importantly gainging self and social confidence. As the inspiring instigator and leader of this project (Sue Weaver) says “For some children we are the only stability in their lives”. What a great quote. Well done Sue, an unsung hero of Surrey. 

Meath Empowered

For many years I have travelled to London from Godalming Station and seen over the fence the site of the Meath Epilepsy Charity. Today I visited the charity and witnessed first hand  the personal care they are providing to the 80 residents whose home is Meath. The charity provides a pathway of care and support for people with complex epilepsy, additional learning and physical disabilities.  Meath focuses on the individual first and helps them overcome some of the incredibly difficult challenges they face every day. I saw this for myself and many of the very innovative initiatives they are introducing. Meath deservedly has a great reputation but perhaps needs to raise its local profile as well as improve the public understanding of what epilepsy is and how it can affect anyone at any age and from every walk of life. A charity that truly serves supporting. 

 

 

Local jewell

Within ten minutes of where I live I visited an extraordinary establishment I did not realise existed. St Joseph’s Specialist School and College is a co-educational residential and day school for students with complex and severe learning difficulties who are typically on the Autistic Spectrum. They cater for students, typically 80 in total, from 5+. There are 300 staff which indicates the personalised nature of the support every student receives. They have a long waiting list and desperately need more residential accommodation. It was a privilege to meet many of the staff and students. In my  view, the dedicated staff are true “saints”.

 

 

LEST WE FORGET

I have just participated, at the invitation of Russell Pearson the Surrey Chief Fire Officer, in the Service of Memorial Dedication for 100 Surrey Fire Fighters who lost their lives in WWl and WWll. They have brilliantly transformed a Cricket Pavilion at the HQ site which was in disrepair into a Memorial Pavilion where today the plaque listing those who had lost their lives was placed. A very moving and well attended occasion complete with a piper’s lament. 

 

 

In Flanders' Fields

Attended the Surrey Royal British Legion Poppy Launch at St Mary’s Church Stoke d’Abernon. The highlight for me was the  the reading by Penelope Keith of the famous poem “In Flanders’ Fields”  with the powerful closing lines:

“If ye break faith with us who die we shall not sleep though poppies grow in Flanders’ fields”. 

So, do support this year’s Poppy Appeal. 

 

 

 

 

SERFCA

SERFCA is the South East Reserve Forces’ and Cadets Association. Last evening the Lord Lieutenant presented awards to thirteen reservists and cadets for their outstanding service. It was inspiring to hear the stories and the commitment of these volunteers. We should all be grateful for what they do and indeed encourage others to become reservists and cadets because as well as serving their country (and county) it is a great experience for the individuals.