Opening “The Best of West End” exhibition at the musuem

Last night, on behalf of the Borough, at the official opening evening view of “The Best of West End” at Surrey Heath Museum, I said thank you to the West End luminaries for their contributions of so many photographs, reminiscences, and memorabilia.

This excellent photographic and historical record of West End, compiled by our wonderful museum curator, Sharon Cross, is something no West Ender would want to miss. Here’s the short speech of thanks I gave last night, written by Sharon Cross.

Good evening fellow Councillors, Ladies and Gentlemen and a warm welcome to this special Evening View of the exhibition “The  Best of West End “

Looking at West End’s busy, thriving community today it is interesting to find that the village originated as a series of scattered settlements, which together comprised  the “west end” of Chobham, and only gained its own Church and school in the 1840s to save the long walk to the parent village. The community spirit was evident even then: village men digging out sarsen stone from the local heathland for building, and dragging it back in borrowed farm carts. The founding of the Gordon Boys’ Home (now Gordon’s School) in the late 1880s which opened the neighbourhood up to a wider world – it is difficult for us to realise what an impact the appearance of the Gordon Boys Home must have made in the middle of a country village or the resentment at the loss of the common when the Army took it over.

Besides the Church and schools, the displays will highlight aspects of local life such as shops, trades, farms, nurseries, the Institute and local celebrations such as the West End Show. 

The reminiscences which have been so kindly supplied bring the story to life. When William Lucock of Streets Heath set off in the mid-1880s to woo the comely Bagshot widow Elizabeth Copas, he had to do so under cover of darkness to avoid being dragged from his horse by irate neighbours.  They wanted to know what he was playing at, courting a Bagshot woman – and a widow to boot – when there were plenty of fine unmarried girls in his own village.  This incident, from the family history of local historian Richard Wilson, gives an indication of how parochial local life was only 125 years ago. 

In the 1880s Stanley Alder a local teacher documented the lives of the travelling families who stayed on the local common each year, in the book Work Amongst the Gypsies, which the Museum is re-printing this autumn.  Hence the scene at the centrepiece of the exhibition

The story of different settlements, like Donkey Town with its unusual history,  feature alongside a wealth of photographs gathered through a project organised by John Smith and Mick Glazier to record the village then and now.  Mr Smith and Mr Glazier have also researched the poignant history of the village War Memorial.

A remarkable collection of material has recently been donated in memory of Mrs Olive Wright whose family lived in West End for many generations, through the kind offices of Mr Howcroft and Miss Hilton. Other embers from equally old-established local families, such as the Rapleys and Stevens or from organisations like the Working Men’s Club, the Agricultural and Horticultural Show Committee or Holy Trinity School, and we are also grateful to those who supplied their memories of the village in the 1930s, 40s and 50s.

We are very pleased that the timing of the display has tied in with the development of the new Village Design statement, an important milestone in West End’s future.

The Museum’s exhibitions are only possible because they are mounted in partnership with the community.  So many generous residents and ex-residents have contributed that we hope that you will forgive us for thanking you collectively, although we should perhaps mention Mrs Blackwell who is here from America, staying with her sister Mrs Lawrence.    Thank you all for coming and we hope you enjoy your evening.

Royal Logistics Corps Open Day

Our visit to the Royal Logistics Corps open day followed immediately after the Girlguiding centenary camp.

Cripes, we were made to feel special when met by Capt Christal Dalley who remained at our side for the whole of our visit. A full programme of activities was organised for us. Beginning by meeting the Director of the Royal Logistics Corps the Garrison Commander, quickly followed by a tour of the stands, including the Surrey Police accident prevention unit, the RLC Bomb Disposal, Army chefs, Ascot Ales, and more.

I’ve always been in awe of our military, and the closer to them you get, the more is that respect. Good to be able say thank you to the Garrison Commander, Brig A J Deas OBE.

Must report on two special kindnesses offered to us. On the Ascot Ales stand, we were presented with a bottle of Rorke’s Drift Ale, a best bitter to celebrate the gallantry of a past Corps hero James Langley VC. Then later to a presentation, along with a small group of RASC/RCT members, by Lt Col David Owen of the RLC’s medal collection, housed in the regimental HQ, where James Langley’s VC is on display, and the heroism of others RLC soldiers wonderfully described by Lt Col Owen.

Celebrating a centenary of Girlguiding

Hundreds of Rainbows, Brownies, and Guides of Frimley District Guide Association celebrated the centenary of Girlguiding with a weekend camp on the camping field at the Canal Centre, Mytchett. [The picture shows just a part of the semi-circle of those present]

On Saturday morning last, as a guest of the District Commissioner, Mrs Janet Marsden, I watched awards and prizes presented to truly worthy recipients – 5, 10, and even a 30 year service pin. Afterwards I saw, and took part in some of, the fun activities laid on for the youngsters. I suppose I shouldn’t have been, but I was amazed at the range of intelligent, clever, and fun events provided.

Janet and her team began the planning for this event in 2007, and raised £10,000 to stage it. To help fund the camp, Janet and a colleague superbly collected £1,500, mostly in coins, in one day at the checkout of a local supermarket. At a quiet moment, on behalf of our Borough, I was pleased to grab the chance to say thank you to Janet and her fellow group leaders for the phenomenal amount of work and committment given to organise and event like this.

Janet and her team are immensely resourceful people, hiring out small pieces of equipment to generate income, such as a badge making machine. Here’s my amateurish effort at designing a badge. If you or your business have coloured pens, coloured paper, or other consumables, this group of girl guides can make use of them.

Mayor’s Reception for the Armed Forces

On a delightfully warm last Friday evening, the Deputy Mayoress and I supported our Mayor, Cllr John May and his wife Juliette, in their civic reception under the theme “The Armed Forces – Past, Present and Future”.

The event was well attended by many past service veterans, many of whom are volunteers for a range of service charities. At this Civic reception guests were able to listen to the welcome address from our Mayor in our Council Chamber, and afterwards reminisce on the terrace outside the Council Chamber.

It’s a pleasure to see our Chamber and terrace used for events such as this, which I know, from having talked to many guests, that they appreciated and enjoyed. Some of that enjoyment derives from the way the Mayor’s Secretary, Pat Ross, makes such events run so smoothly, and the excellence of the catering staff keeping the assemblage suitably fed and watered. 

Just what a Civic Reception should be, an event that our ‘honoured’ guests enjoy, about which they can tell others that we’re a well run Council. Mustn’t forget to note that all our Council’s directors were all in attendance, some staying right to the end, and that our Museum Curator, Sharon Cross, had prepared three panels of historical photo’s and material on our connection with the Armed Forces, including an interesting display on the presence of Free French Forces on Barossa Common in WWII.

Flying a flag to celebrate Armed Forces Day

Being among the celebration party at the flag raising at Surrey Heath House on Monday to mark Armed Forces Day this Saturday offered an opportunity to say thank you to those who bear arms in our defence.

Serving armed forces personnel, service veterans, past-Mayors of Surrey Heath, councillors, and our current Mayor, Cllr John May, were among those witnessing the raising of a flag to mark Armed Forces Day.

Our Mayor, pictured on the right, spoke briefly and eloquently on the sacrifice and duty of our armed forces. Point to note: I’m rubbish at taking photographs. I neglected to ensure that the Mayoress, Juliette May, was included in the picture. Juliette is the person in pink standing behind Cllr John May. Must try harder.

I’ve mentioned on my Lightwater blog, how delighted I was to see two friends, from Bagshot, respond to an invitation on my Lightwater blog to watch the flag raising. As they were each wearing a Help for Heroes tee-shirt someone in the flag raising party invited them to join the tea and biscuits gathering in the Council offices after the event.

It was a slight disappointment that there weren’t more to watch the event on the lawn outside the Council offices. Perhaps we need to do more to publicise civic events such as these.

Being Deputy Mayor means I attend events where the Mayor is unable to attend. I must say I’m absolutely chuffed to be the civic representative at The Royal Logistics Corps Armed Forces Open Day this Saturday at Dettingden Fields in Deepcut. We try to go to this event every year, so it’s a doubly pleasing to attend as Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress, which will give us the chance to say thank you again to the Army.

I can’t give a better description of the day than from Paul Deach on Surrey Heath Residents blog.

Town Centre Community Lunch

I know my diary entries here have been light. Apologies. If you’ve come here from my Lightwater blog, glad to see you. If not, you can pop over to read my post there.

The Town Centre Community Lunch is organised by the Reverend David Hamblin of High Cross Church, with the aim of connecting Surrey Heath’s town centre business and retail sectors, Council, and voluntary organisations, in a convivial atmosphere, and over a light lunch. I attended as Deputy Mayor, and thanked David for being a facilitator. Simple concept, yet something that’s so useful and valuable.

Among those in the audience were the managers of the Mall and the Atrium, a representative from the Camberley Society, the Chamber of Commerce, Surrey Heath Voluntary Services, Police, mental health organisations, and many more than I didn’t get chance to connect with. Our MP, Michael Gove, was also in the audience.

I met, and was hugely impressed by, two charming ladies connected with the Camberley-based Rethink Buzz Group, whose volunteers produce and maintain a comprehensive on-line guide to local mental health services. I learned from them both just how important this service is. In addition to the online resource guide they produce a Swift Guide, a simple fold-out leaflet, which lists the places where anyone with mental health issues can go to get help. Simple, effective, and vital when decision-making is clouded by mental health problems. They told me that even doctors welcome their Swift Guide as it collects all the contacts in one place.

I asked them what help they needed. They need volunteers to help to update the Swift Guide, and to help produce a regular newsletter. So, if you’ve available time, computer skills, or newsletter skills, and patience, then they’ll love to hear from you at: buzzsurreyheath@waitrose.com. Hope I’ve got that right.

The difference between a life lost and a life saved

St John Ambulance make the difference between a life lost and a life saved. Their first aid skills are the reason.

Last Thursday I conducted the annual inspection of around a dozen Cadets and Badgers of the Frimley and Camberley division of St John Ambulance. Aged from 5-10, you’re a Badger. From 10-16 then you’re a cadet. The inspection also included meeting many of the senior officers from Surrey County division, there as part of the annual inspection.

I was greeted by the President of Frimley and Camberley division, President Derek Franklin, a past mayor of Surrey Heath, and now an exalted Alderman.  Such friendly people.

Not quite knowing what was expected of me, I was delighted to be the figurehead that spoke to each of the Cadets and Badgers, who had been carefully lined up in rows for inspection. Initially, Superintendent Richard Beere introduced me to the Cadets and some of the senior members. Inspiring. Then Richard passed me to Serving Sister Sally Anne Nelson, who introduced me to the younger members.

Not only are young people are the lifeblood of organisations like this, but they too get something out of being a member – learning a first aid skill, making new friends, accepting and meeting challenges. When Badgers pass the first aid exam, they become Super Badgers, and gain a distinctive badge. That’s what I quizzed the Badgers about – how much they wanted that badge.

Now everyone with an iPhone can get life saving advice with the new St John Ambulance iPhone app.

What did I take away from the event? The young are not afraid of volunteering, but they do need dedicated adults to help them. My, I was impressed. Now, if they could only raise sufficient funds for another heart defribillator – ah well, the perennial concern for the voluntary sector – funds.

Hatip: John Nelson for pictures

First duty, attend Spelthorne’s civic reception

Straight in at the deep end, as they say. Appointed Deputy Mayor on May 12th, and the following evening my first deputy mayoral duty – attending the civic reception of Spelthorne Borough Council.

The event was held in The Orangery at Shepperton Studios, at which the now past mayor, recognised the efforts of their community champions. All good stuff. Following these awards was the distribution of proceeds of the mayor’s charity. More good stuff.

Can’t say I knew anyone at the reception – oh, I did briefly chat to Pauline Hedges from the Surrey Chambers of Commerce. However, by chance I sat on a table with a volunteer from The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association, who was there with a war veteran – Mr M F Sykes BEM – always a humbling experience to see the medals displayed. Mr Sykes is a committee member of the London region of the War Pension Committee. It’s at events like these that you encounter the many and varied aspects of our volunteering society.

Ok, so who are you?

I’m Tim Dodds, Surrey Heath Borough Councillor for Lightwater ward. I’m honoured to be Deputy Mayor of the Borough for the Council year 2010-11.

Welcome to my online diary. So, who am I? Well, to tell the truth being deputy mayor is not about me, it’s about the people I meet, their activities and achievements. That’s the purpose of this blog.

If you really want to know more about me, I suggest you visit my Lightwater blog, which has been running since March 2007. It has over 2000 posts, many political, but many more about Lightwater, Camberley, Frimley, and surrounding villages, and interesting and quirky facts about them.