Oakleaf

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 

 

 

YOUNG FUN

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 

Amazing Fire Men

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”. 

 

 

THREE COLONELS

Attended the Beating of the Retreat at Pirbright last evening. The Band of the Royal Logistic Corps playing, including “Sunset” just as the sun was setting with braziers around the field. Magic. The Three Colonels in Pirbright know how to host a great party. 

 

 

Family Affair

Duke of Gloucester visited Connevans Limited in Merstham yesterday. They manufacture and supply equipment for those who are hard of hearing. Being in that category I was very interested in their products, many of which are very clever.  Connevans is an independent family company founded 50 years ago. The average  employee service is 20 years. The business is run by the son, daughter and granddaughter of the founders. Yesterday we met the next generation 3 week old granddaughter, Lottie. The Duke duly presented long service awards. A great Family Business. 

 

 

BEM

Delighted to be present at the Lord Lieutenant’s ceremony for the award of BEMs to eight very deserving recipients in the Great Hall at Loseley. There were all  heroes in their local communities with amazing citations of what they have contributed. All very inspiring and wonderful to meet,

 

with the 95 year old to the fore!   

Glorious Setting

Glorious evening sunshine over the trees, village green and old houses as we entered the 900 year old St Mary’s Church in Chiddingford. We could  only be in England. We were there for  the Civic Service of the Mayor of Waverley Simon Inchbald 

 

(Ilive in his Borough) and the service was also splendidly British with hymns and lessons we knew, a short powerful sermon and two verses of the Nation Anthem (note: I can now sing the second verse without looking) and fundraising for the Mayor’s charity: The Meath Epilepsey Charity. 

Lightbox 10.

Great tea party this afternoon to celebrate 10 years of the Lightbox. It is a hugely successful gallery, museum, 

 

shop and cafe which has transformed the cultural life of Woking. It is very community orientated with an extensive education programme making culture accessible to all generations. Well done to Marilyn Scott the Director for the last ten years. Good luck to her and to the Trustee Chairman Aileen McLeish (an old colleague of mine) for the next ten years. The Lightbox is in good hands. www.thelightbox.org.uk 

Sandhurst dining

Visited Sandhurst for first time at Surrey Heath Civic Dinner hosted by the Mayor, Cllr Valerie White. We dined in the wonderful setting of the Indian Army Memorial Room. Delighted to meet Major Kumar Gurung (2nd i/c of RMAS) of the Gurkhas, a great solder with an array of impressive service medals.  A memorable evening, thank you Valerie. 

 

 

In custody

Spent the afternoon at the Eastern Division HQ of Surrey Police at Reigate police station. Was warmly welcomed by Chief Superintendant David Miller. He and his SMT were generous with their time  in explaining how policing is having to constantly adjust to changing social behaviour as evidenced by immigrants running from lorries at the M25 service station and organised crime creeping into Surrey from London and never mind internet crime (and budget reductions) . Their theme was they had to catch and prosecute criminals but equally important is their community activity to work with those at risk of entering the judicial system.  I was very heartened by this rigorous  intellectual approach but with some heart and lots of innovative approaches. Also visited

 

their Salford Custody unit and was taken on the journey from arriving in a police car to being locked in a custodial cell: not to be recommended!