KEEPOUT

Penelope Keith, the President of KeepOut, invited me to join her at Send Prison here in Surrey where she presented certificates to four prisoners who had completed a qualification in Peer Education. KeepOut’s mission is to divert young people from crime and support prisoner rehabilitation. Young people who are at risk of entering the criminal justice  system are invited to the prisons and meet these qualified prisoners who tell them about their experiences . As a result,

 

the young learn about the consequences of crime, the effect of their behaviour on others and the penalties they face. A very focussed and impact orientated charity. Congratulations to all the staff and volunteers of KeepOut and to the yesterday’s certificate recipients. www.crimediversionscheme.org.uk

 

Muslim Peace Garden

Laid a wreath at an interfaith service today at the Muslim Burial Ground Peace Garden in Woking. The ocassion was to mark the anniversary of the first soldier who lost his life and was buried there on the 16th July 1915. A large turnout with prayers by the Imam of the Shah Jahan Mosque in Woking and by the Bishop of Guildford. One of the wreaths was laid by the daughter of  the last man who had been buried there. A very dignified and moving Commemoration Service with participation of senior officers of the British army and senior representatives from the High Commissions of Bangladesh and Pakistan. 

 

 

Scouts not duffers

Handed out awards to 40 young Scouts from across Surrey.  I quoted form Swallows and Amazons:  “Better drowned than duffers. If not duffers won’t drown”. These Scouts were not duffers, they will try anything, and for their age were very confident young people with firm handshakes and clean shoes! Families present were justifiably proud as were the the adult volunteers. Well done to all.

 

 

Heathrow Charity

The words Heathrow and “charity” don’t naturally fly together. But there is the Heathrow Community Fund which does just that. Funded by the Airport and by noise fines paid by the airlines this is a charity with an annual income of over £800,000 providing grants to charities and communities surrounding Heathrow. There is a focus on youth, the environment and bringing communities together. Relevant to Surrey is their support for activities in the Boroughs of Runnymede and Spelthorne. For example,  in Stanwell they have supported a sports club, a community radio station, a village hall and a primary school outdoor learning centre. Really worthwhile interventions for one of the Priority Places of Surrey. The boss of the Fund, Beccy Bowden well respected for her  previous role at SATRO, welcomes approaches for funding from relevant causes in these two Boroughs. www.heathrowcommunityfund.com 

 

 

Headley Court

Invited last evening to the Beating Retreat at Headley Court. Headley (near Leatherhwead) is the renowned rehabilitation centre for injured members of the British Armes Forces. I met a number of the very impressive  200 staff and some of their patients. The Centre is renowned for good reasons with an extraordinary level of medical expertise and a truly caring culture. There was

 

 some poignancy in the air as the Band of Royal Marines played the Last Post as the services provided by Headley Court will be transferred to a new centre being developed at Stanford Hall in Cheshire. However the Commanding Officer and her staff were upbeat and looking forward to the move. 

Centenary Wood

Visited Langley Vale Wood one of the four sites across the UK where the Woodland Trust will plant millions of trees to commemorate the first world war. There is an existing native woodland and new planting has already started across this 600 acre site. It is an extraordinary beautiful place less than a mile from the M25 but you couldn’t be further away. A visitor centre is planned to be built.  I will be sponsoring a tree to be planted in the Woodland Trust site in Scotland in memory of my grandfather killed 1

 

00 years ago this month. Well done the Woodland Trust. www.woodlandtrust.org

Leadership

 

Susan Chrysanthou is the Headmistress of Furzefield Primary School in Merstham.Merstham is a London overspill housing estate enclosed  on two sides by motorways and on a third side by a main railway line. Not surprisingly it has its social and economic challenges. Rising to such challenges is this Primary School. It is large with 513 pupils. Walking in you immediately sense the vibrancy of the place, the commitment of the staff and the good well being of the pupils. Everything is focussed on the needs of the young people, with a breakfast club, a Nurture Room (for those with emotional needs), support for children in their homes and parental help. 

All this doesn’t happen by decree or magic but by inspirational leadership. Well done Susan and her loyal staff!

 

A Village Affair

 

It its a mouthful: “The Ellens Green and Rudgwick Gardening Association Summer Show”. It is however what it says. It is a proper village show with exhibit competitions for flowers, fruit and vegetables, home cooking etc…competitions that are keenly fought. For example the sweet peas exhibits and thus in competition for prizes were stunning. Elsewhere there was a dog show, children egg throwing competition, a brass band, ice creams, bric a brac, a beer tent and of course a tea tent. The same every year. And everybody in the village loves it.  I was privileged to hand out the prizes which I could do as Ellens Green where the show was located is in Surrey, whilst a Rudgwick site would have been outside my bailiwick in West Sussex. Congratulations to Mike Clarke the Chairman of the Association. 

Rectory Fete

St Nicolas Church Cranleigh dates back to 1170. I was asked by the Rector the very approachable Roy Woodhams to open their annual Rectory Fete when I did point out his Church was not as old as my office of High Sheriff. This fete is a highlight of the Cranleigh year and was well attended with plenty of good stalls (yummy cakes) and a miniature railway much enjoyed by one grandson. Well done Roy and all his helpers. 

 

 

 

 

Great Gurkhas

Beating the Retreat was in the hands of The Band off the Brigade of Gurkhas on Thursday evening against the background of the dramatic setting of Charterhouse School. The Band was terrific  with fast and slick marching displays with a range of music ending, after the National Anthem, with the March Off : Yo Nepali. Well done the Gurkhas! All in aid of ABF The Soldiers’ C

 

harity.