Mary Reid

The Mayor and Consort as you have never seen them before - with a juggling friend.

Summer Saturdays are always busy.  This one started with the Family Funday on King Edwards Recreation Ground at Hook.  Free bouncy castles and entertainment, plus stalls and amusements brought out good numbers throughout the day.

The initial idea for the event came from us, the local councillors, but it was Surbiton Rotary who made it happen.  Many, many thanks to them for all the work they put in.

Then on to a Sports Day organised by the Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation at Coombe Boys. 

The tug-of-war between young women and their elders! The young ones won. 

About 100 children from south west London enjoyed a day of competitions and races, and I gave out the certificates at the end.  The organisers made sure that each child got at least one certificate!

Then a real treat in the evening - a concert of summer music by the Thames Philharmonic Choir under their conductor, John Bate.  They were very fortunate to have Kathryn Harries as soloist. I do remember hearing her sing with Surbiton Oratorio Society (now Kingston Choral Society) back in the 70s. Her operatic career later took off spectacularly, but she has kept her links with Kingston.  She gave us a generous and magical performance, from dramatic Verdi arias to Gershwin swing.

Amazingly, Kathryn Harries has just completed a 600 mile Opera Walk, raising funds for the English National Opera and Welsh National Opera Benevolent Funds.  In spite of walking 20 miles or so each day she gave concerts en route.