Catch 22

Catch 22 is a social business (and a registered charity) working nationally to change lives with a wide range of programmes. In Surrey they work for SCC  with a Drug and Alcohol service for young people helping 325 pupils last year. I met Steve Bird and we had a great conversation about the work they do and how understanding and reducing substance abuse in schools is an important contributor to retaining pupils in schools and avoiding exclusions. It was a privilege to meet someone of such experience and commitment. 

 

 

The Big Chat

 

Invited by Cate Newness-Smith, the Chief Executive Officer of Surrey Youth Focus to attend a workshop:  “The Big Chat”. 60 + professionals were there to address the issue of young people struggling with mental health issues. Questions being asked and debated were around how can the energy and enthusiasm of young people be harnessed to support their own well being. A really important subject and a really informative debate ensued with plans to take the issue forward. My own interest in school exclusions is a relevant subset of this bigger agenda. 

 

16 MAGISTRATES

Attended Guildford Crown Court for the swearing in of 16 new Magistrates along with the Lord Lieutenant, the Resident Judge HHJ Robert Fraser and Jane Macauley the Bench Chair. 

A very “proper” and formal ceremony befitting the import of the appointments.  

 

New Year Greetings

 

As a Scostman, New Year was always more important than Christmas  so I send warmest best wishes for health and happiness in 2018 to all my followers. The photograph is of my favourite Christmas card. Guess from whom?

Christmas Greetings

Best wishes to all of you who are regular readers of my blogs. I hope they have educated, amused and entertained you. Blog production will restart in January.  In the meantime enjoy a blog free and peaceful Christmas. 

 

 peaceful  Christmas. 

Later Life Carols

Age UK Surrey  (motto: Supporting you in Later Life) Carol Service today filled Guildford Cathedral, and for good reason. Two choirs – Guildford Cathedral Singers – and Surrey Cantata (and they sang a lovely carol “The Lamb” composed by their own conductor) – both sang on their own and led the congregational singing, all to great effect.  A wonderful start to the Christmas celebrations. It was also great to be back in the Cathedral post scaffolding and looking absolutely magnificent!

 

 

Send Christmas Message

Invited to HMP Send Christmas Carols this evening. The singing was led by a great choir of inmates with good voices. Send Prison is blessed with a team of Chaplains led  by the inspiring resident Chaplain, Lesley Mason. More generally, Send has over 80 volunteers who are supporting in may different ways the women in Send. As we all recognise, Christmas is not an easy time for those in Prison  and the Christmas message of hope and love was very to the fore in tonight’s service. 

 

 

4 Bishops in Prison

I attended the HMP Highdown Carol Service. 100+ inmates took part including a great Music Group helping us all sing “While the Shepherds watched their flocks by night” to the tune of The Rising Sun (1964). The other guests included three Bishops and an Archbishop who variously extolled the Christmas message for all people whatever their circumstances. After the Service we mingled as inmates and guests alike for refreshments.  

 

 

NEW FALKLANDS RECTOR

This is not a High Sheriff blog but I hope still of interest. We attended in the Lambeth Palace Chapel the Licensing of Lt Colonel the Revd Nicholas Mercer as Rector of the Parish of the Falkland Islands and Priest-in-Charge of Christ Church Cathedral Stanley. We know Nicholas and his family through various Rudgwick and Scottish connections but more importantly were able to advise him about the role in the Falkland islands before he decided to accept the challenge. We had visited the Falkland Islands a number of times 10+ years ago and became friendly with the then Rector who on return to the UK became Chaplain of Sedbergh School (when I was Chairman of the Governors). We wish Nicholas all the best. 

 

ROYAL TECHNOLOGY

HRH The Princess Royal visited the facilities near Shackleford of CUBIC Vocality .Their very clever technology allows people, businesses and government agencies across the globe to securely connect with each other in the most unlikely of places. A jewel of expertise in the Surrey countryside.