Witnessed the Lord Lieutenant at Loseley presenting a CBE to June Spencer, or better known to us all as Peggy Archer. She is amazing! Aged 98 and you would never know it.Look at the photograph I took today. She is still working, regularly recording for the Archers in the Birmingham studio (she lives in Surrey) and is the oldest working actor in the country. What a lady. What a delight to meet her.
Hosted today at County Hall a citizenship ceremony whereby 27 individuals (including a number of families) made declarations of loyalty and were formally granted citizenship of the United Kingdom. A very dignified and memorable occasion with lots of photographs taken, I fear I will appear on many Surrey mantelpieces. It was a real privilege to meet the new citizens and play a part in the ceremony including a brief speech explaining the role of the High Sheriff and revealing my ten favourite places
in Surrey.
The inestimable Mayor of Runnymede, Iftikhar Chaudhri, and his charming wife Aleema invited us to his Civic Interfaith Service at the Royal Holloway Chapel. It was a very special ocassion with the active participation of five faiths: Hindu, Sikh, Jewish, Christian and Muslim including readings from the Qu’ran, the Psalms and the New Testament, and a sensational University choir. All followed by a delicious tea. A memorable: event, well done Iftikhar!
With the gracious and friendly participation of the Countess of Wessex, attended a service of Thanksgiving for the work of Headley Court followed by a full military march along the (closed to traffic) High Street of Dorking in front of huge and cheering crowds. I was asked to inspect the ranks of the Headley Court civilian workers and met some very committed nurses and other staff. Very inspiring. A great day for saying farewell to Headley Court and saying a thank you to all who have worked there in tending to our wounded service men and women
.
I don’t know what the collective noun is for a room full of County Council Treasurers. “A Treasure of Treasurers”?. Sheila Little is the estimable Treasurer of Surrey County Council and is this year’s President of the Society of County Treasurers. She invited me to address their annual conference dinner in Cobham last evening. Having 40 years ago (!) been a company Treasurer I hope I entertained them with some horror stories of bad financial management. I told them that they understand figures but so many other people think they do but don’t and thus the key part of their jobs was to speak truth unto power; and that there is no such thing as financial alchemy
, instead you will run of of cash. Nice photograph of Sheila with Julie Fisher who has been appointed acting Chief Executive of Surrey CC on the retirement of David McNulty.
F or those who don’t know, STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. The educational charity SATRO provides real life experience of the working world in STEM subjects. What is so powerful is that they do so with with academically gifted children through to those disengaged with education: I have seen them at work. At their awards on Wednesday evening, I presented one of the awards and spoke about the opportubites for STEM careers in Surrey, citing Connevans (see a previous blog), MRI Solutions, WWF and of course Surrey University. Congratulations to all the young people and the volunteers who were applauded that evening.
Was interviewed on Kane FM about the role off the HS. Good to get the word out there.
More importantly learnt about the work Kane FM do with young people who have issues and are “struggling” at school by providing them with experience of working in the radio studio, pre recording, using video cameras etc. As a result, many get an Arts Award qualification, their employability and confidence are improved as are their social skills. Kane FM is run by the committed, experienced and inspiring Jenniann Davies. Their music may not be to my taste but I do applaud their social work supporting 50 young people very year.
LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW HERE: https://www.mixcloud.com/KaneFM/the-culture-and-community-show-25th-september
(scroll to 55min,55 sec)
Visited another amazing Surrey charity. Oakleaf are a mental health charity working as a social enterprise providing vocational training – horticulture, upholstery, IT – for those with mental health issues. Their clients gain qualifications, practical experience and increase their confidence levels. They also run evening safe havens and are providing a counselling service in George Abbott School for young people who need support. They are, under the experienced leadership of Clive Stone, helping over 500 individuals every year. Really badly needed support. www.oakleaf-enterprise.org
The young people of North Leatherhead are very fortunate to have the Leatherhead Youth Project on their doorstep. Was there as 25+ boys and girls came into the Club after school this afternoon and were clearly very much at home with a great welcome from the staff. The LYP has a very strong relationship with Therfield School to the huge benefit of their pupils. As well as this after school club the LYP provide a wide range of other activities ranging from 1:1 counselling to visits to Romania working with charities in the poorest villages. The LYP model of focus and a very close relationship with the Leatherhead community merits I suggest replication elsewhere in Surrey.
Joe Crome is the star who is making all this happen. www.leatherheadyouthproject.com
I was invited to present the Surrey Fire and Rescue Service Annual Awards last evening. It was a privilege to meet so many dedicated fire men. Awards for long service, outstanding conduct, bravery and recognising individuals and crews. Some harrowing stories of life saving including what they did at Grenfell Tower. I was very pleased that the crew of my local Fire Station in Cranleigh won an award. I warmly congratulated all the award winners and my final words were:
“To all the recipients tonight, Surrey is proud of you”.