Visited Weybridge Children’s Centre for the Christmas party held jointly with Home Start. The latter is the charity that so effectively provides volunteers to help in homes with parenting of young families. There were at least 40 very young children (quite difficult to count!) at the party and one Father Christmas. A great time was being had by all. Congratulations to the staff of the Children’s Centre and the volunteers of Home Start.
Peter Martin chairman of Surrey County Council hosted an excellent Christmas party in the splendid setting of Fetcham Park. The highlight was carols sung by the Surrey Youth Choir. this choir had also sung at my Judicial Service, Surrey is very blessed to have such an accomplished choir in our midst.
Attended a splendid Christmas party hosted by the inestimable Mayor of Runnymede Iftikhar Chaudhri and his charming wife Aleema and their children at Great Fosters in Egham. The highlight (in addition to great company and great food) was the delightful singing of carols by a primary school choir. They were warmly congratulated by all present.
Invited by the High Sheriff of Hampshire to join her in sitting in Court viewing a trial being taken by a London High Court Judge in Winchester. Winchester has many more High Court judge trials than Guildford serving all the south-east coastal counties. The court buildings are on a larger and grander scale than Guildford with a fantastic view of Winchester Cathedral and also very comfortable Judges Lodgings. The case we witnessed was the 20th day of a murder trial with four in the dock. It has been well reported in the press involving a burglary that turned into murder. Very interesting to hear top class barristers at work.
One of the great charities in Surrey. I was invited to draw the raffle at their Christmas Celebration. After we eliminated multiple winners and Trustee winners (!) I said a few words about how the charity is addressing the issues of school exclusions which is my HS preoccupation. Their interventions are broad ranging from the Stanwell Children’s’ Centre to their Steps programme helping young people who are out off education (which I have witnessed first hand) to their mentoring work with children who are in school. All good stuff making a real difference. Well done to the boss Elaine Tisdell and the new chairman Denis O’Connor.
By special permission of the High Sheriff of London I was permitted to wear my uniform outside Surrey to attend the Meath Epilepsy Charity Carol service at St Clement Danes in the Strand in London and say some words about the charity. I quoted words from “Hark the Herald Angels” we were about to sing : “Hail the son of Righteousness, Light and Life to all he brings, Risen with healing in his wings”. I then said “That is what the Meath charity does . You are bringing healing to those in your care”.
I need say no more. www.meath.org.uk. Do support them.
Attended Pontifical Sung Vespers at Arundel Cathedral along with the High Sheriff of West Sussex.The Catholic Diocese of Arundel and Brighton covers Sussex and Surrey. Pontifical means the Bishop was presiding and indeed he preached a powerful Homily. The choir singing and organ playing were magnificent in the acoustics of the Cathedral. A very memorable occasion.
Presided at this morning’s Citizenship Ceremony at County Hall with 30 individuals swearing allegiance and becoming citizens of the United Kingdom. It was great to meet them all in what is a very dignified occasion. My uniform was in demand for photographs!
Transform Housing (read earlier blog) had their annual Carol Service last evening at St Mary’s Church, Fetcham. This was the Church that last week had a whole footpath of York stone stolen by night robbers all as reported in The Times. During the Carol Service I said a few words about Transform and their amazing staff who help many men and women take the journey from despair and homelessness to a better life of a home and self respect. And at this time of year Transform will be opening shortly their new winter shelter in Walton for individuals with no housing options during these cold winter months. Transform deserves all our support.
Invited to speak at the Surrey Magistrates’ Christmas Celebration held in the magnificent Guildford Guildhall. Having spent time seeing the magistrates at work in court I said how impressed I was with their professionalism and humanity in face of so much human badness and sadness. Magistrates (160+in Surrey’s) are unpaid volunteers who give of their time and experience of life. What they do is critical to the maintenance of law and order across the County. The people of Surrey have a lot to be thankful for.
