Sheila Griffin

This was a very interesting event.  For a start I was amazed at the large site the Territorial Army occupies.  I was told it is their land for ever! Also the buildings and large parking area for the variety of vehicles they need is much larger than the impression one gets from the Portsmouth Road.

 Once over my amazement, I was met by Lt Col Street and Major Kendall.  Lt Col Street and I had something in common as we were/are both teachers.  She is 'on supply' at present due to her commitment to the Territorial Army.

 It was my job to cut the ribbon to open the newly renovated building 'Thames House' which will provide a variety of services for the T.A. 

I said it is was great pleasure for me to be there. The Borough believes it is important to support the local Territorial Army.  So many people give up their time to serve the country and when they volunteer, they do so, not knowing where or when they are to be called upon to serve.  In the world today signals and communications are very important.  Modern technology is demanding and a vital part of successful operations. We are indepted to you all.

‘On behalf of the Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames it is my privilege to declare this building open'

Once open we were given an tour of the building then had a drink and canopies and were able to chat to a number of people present.

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Posted by: sheilag    in: My entries

Modified on July 15, 2006 at 2:00 AM

Another wonderful commitment and effort on the part of all who took part.  When I arrived the scene was of great activity as the stalls and various attractions were having the final touches added.  Due to a problem with the electricity the programme was adjusted slightly.

Rev Kevin Scott

 I was met by Rev Kevin Scott, who informed me of the change, so it was my difficult task to judge the stalls for the 'best dressed stall'  This was almost impossible as they were all great and would be very effective in enticing money away from the visitors!  I did make a choice, really on its more unusual appearance.  The stall holder had mugs filled with sweets and wrapped in cellofane, they looked beautiful.

 All was ready for the 'Official Opening of the Fair'  which I duly did. 

A wonderful display

It was wonderful to meet so many people who were so enthusiastic and totally dedicated to making the Fair a great success, and I am sure they succeeded.  It always helps to have good weather, the day was hot and sunny.

The Teddy Bears' Picnic

Thank you Rev Scott for looking after me so well. 

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Posted by: sheilag    in: My entries

Modified on July 21, 2006 at 5:44 PM

This is a wonderful venture and I felt very privileged to had been able to attend as Deputy Mayor. All the participants both those supervising and those disabled people attending were clearly thrilled with the nursery and the variety of activities in which they are able to participate.

Stud Farm Nursery is nursery for disabled people. There they have the chance to acquire new skills in horticulture and can gain an accredited qualification. On 23rd June the opening took place of this new Community Care Services-run nursery and woodwork centre.

Stud Farm was once the nursery for Hampton Court Palace but has been left empty and derelect for at least 7 years. Now a partnership between Kingston Council, Historic Royal Palaces and Kingston Mencap, will see the site restored to its former glory and become a valuable community resource for residents of the Royal Borough.

Up to 50 adults with learning disabilities will visit the nursery every week to tend their crops and work towards their nationally-recognised qualification. They will also be able to attend woodworking courses. Once the crops are harvested, they will be marketed and sold in a variety of local outlets. The income generated will help to meet the costs of running the centre.The nursery was formally opened by the Director of the Historic Royal Palaces.

I wish the venture great success

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Posted by: sheilag    in: My entries

Modified on July 4, 2006 at 1:53 AM

On Wednesday 21st June, the Mayor, Cllr Mary Reid, andmyself wore our sunglasses in support of Guide Dogs, and the national campaign of protecting our eyes from strong sunlight.

Guide Dogs are committed to eye health education and has invested more than £10 million in researching the causes of eye condition.

 All across the country people will be encouraged to make £1 donation on Shades Day, which is on Friday 30th June and sunglasses can be worn in school and at work to raise awareness of the campaign.

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Posted by: sheilag    in: My entries

Modified on July 4, 2006 at 1:34 AM

When Harry was mayor I shared a flat with his daughter, Geraldine. We lived in Earl's Court, a world away from Kingston.

Geraldine and I have kept in touch over the years and when I was appointed Deputy Mayor I received a letter of congratulations from Harry. He is now 95 years old and must be the oldest surviving mayor. He is remembered by Doug Reynolds and they send Christmas cards to each other.

A number of retired councillors also remember him. Of course Steve Mama was on the council with Harry Paine, although different parties!

Click the photo to enlarge. 

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Posted by: sheilag    in: My entries

Modified on July 1, 2006 at 12:09 AM

It was good to meet up with Head Teacher, Mrs Chris Howard as the last time she had invited me into the school to show me around.  The school is on a split site with one part a long way across a large field.  The buildings were in a very bad state, and old fashioned.  If ever a school needed rebuilding, this one did!  Therefore to hear the school is to be rebuilt and to see the plans was a great joy.

I am looking at the plans whilst Mrs Howard is trying to flap her wings to keep cool!

 The summer fair was a great success. The weather was very hot which is so much needed for a summer activity.  There were lots of stalls and activities for the children.  I had the difficult job of choosing the winners of the fancy dress and was pleased that even when I handed out the prizes to the winners, the children were not quite sure just what was going on.  They did look cute. There was a number of future footballers identified as well as future head teachers by the number of wings being worn. 

Thank you to Mrs Nicola Lunt, the Summer Fair Organiser and Mrs Howard for showing me around the fair. Good luck for the future.

 Surbiton Hill Nursery

On Saturday 17th June I visited Surbiton Children's Centre and was met by Mrs Penny Walton, Head of Centre.  There is no doubt of the fantastic service offered to parents in the area.  So much for the young people to do as they are learning.  We are standing in the garden where the children have been growing vegetables. The rooms and outdoor areas of the nursery is very inviting, encouraging learning as the children play and at the same time, to develop good social interaction. 

Surbiton Children's Centre

The Centre offers to parents, family learning activities for dads and workshops for parents.  Clinics offering help to  parents with babies, playgroup activities for young parents, holiday schemes and much more.  This centre is the first of its kind in Kingston and there are plans to have more across the borough.  I spent a most interesting and enjoyable morning in the nursery and centre being shown around by a most enthusiastic staff.

25 years of great service to the community of Hook and Chessington is performed by the workers in the Chessington & Hook Carers scheme.  It was a great honour to be asked to come to celebrate their success and to talk to many who have benefitted from the help given by the carers.  We were looked after well by Ann Fox, the present Chair.  Best wishes for the next 25 years!

Some valuable words!

I was invited to Chair the AGM of the Kingston Tamil School which takes place on Saturday mornings in Tolworth School.  This is a very well supported school.  It teaches Tamil children about their origins, culture and language and has been established since 1986.  There is keen support from parents and this year more parents came forward to be parent governors than places, which meant an election.  (An unusual situation in any organisation).  I found it to be a most interesting  morning.

Our visit to the Richmond Park Festival was the first outside the borough.  It was certainly a night to remember.

The objective of the festival is to raise funds for the Holly Lodge Centre which caters for those with disabilities.  The event took place in Pembroke Lodge and there was an extensive programme of entertainment.  To add to the evening the weather was beautiful.

Firstly we met the Mayor of Richmond, then lined up to be presented to Princess Alexandra, who was most charming.  We had drinks and eats, then were entertained with poerty, singing and music.  All was introduced by Mr Paddy Hughes, who has written a lot of poetry about Richmond Park.  We finished the evening by saying goodbye to Princess Alexandra, -- an eveing to remember.

 The picture taken was of myself and my husband David inpecting the Standard Bearers, and on our way to meet the Buglers and Musicians.

This was followed by all of us visiting the grave of Pilot Officer Cyril Barton aged 22, who received the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

On 30th March 1944 in an attack on Nuremburg, Germany, and while 70 miles from target, Pilot Officer Barton's Halifax Bomber was badly damaged by enemy aircraft.  A misinterpreted signal resulted in three of the crew baling out and Pilot Officer Barton was left with no navigator, air bomber or wireless operator.  He pressed on with the attack however, releasing the bombs himself.  On the return journey, as he crossed the Englis coast, the fuel ran short and with only one engine working he crashed trying to avoid the houses and pit head workings of the village of Ryhope, near Sunderland and was killed.

This links up with the visit to Beverley Boys School mentioned earlier as Pilot Office Barton was a former pupil of Beverley School and is to have the new sports hall named after him.  I wonder what he would think of the amagamation of his school with Coombe Girls!

After the ceremony we went to the British Legion Club where I was able to speak to Cryil Barton's sisters who had also been at the Parade.  A very interesting day.

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Posted by: sheilag    in: My entries

Modified on June 15, 2006 at 6:49 PM

My first engagement as Deputy Mayor was on 22nd May, when David & I attended Berverley Boys School, now Coombe Boys School.  The Mayor and her Consort were leading the party.  We attended the Thanksgiving Service in St James Church, then attended Berverley School for a collage of the history of the school.  Other guests were the former Head Mr Fisher, who has had the new Assembly Hall named after him.  There were three sisters of Cyril Barton who had been a pupil of the school and gained the Victoria Cross for bravery in the Second World War.  The new Sports Hall is to be named after Pilot Officer Barton.  Mrs Campbell is now Head of both Coombe Boys and Coombe Girls' School as the two have amalgamated.

 Good bye for now                     

After a rather busy election and a difficult evening at the count, I was finally returned as a councillor for Norbiton Ward on 4th May.

I was suffering from a viral infection and left the count at 3 am having been told I had lost and feeling unwell.  I tried to get to sleep but was awake at 8am.  At 9.30am Ange, our researcher phoned to congratulate me on winning!  I was in shock! And it was true! Even more amazing.

However the most amazing thing that happened was when Cllr Mary Reid telephoned me at the weekend to ask if I would be Deputy Mayor.  I had to discuss the offer with my husband, and my party.  I was adviced to go ahead so I accepted.  Out of courtesy I informed the Tories.  They put forward a candidate for mayor and asked me to be their deputy - which I also accepted. However as the Liberal Democrats are in power it was unlikely that the Conservative candidate would win.

I thoroughly approve of the Mayor, Cllr Reid's charity to help young people and I hope we can raise as much money as possible.

I did have a real problem through the period - my computer crashed completely, it is like being without one's right arm!

Our first event was Mayor Making, which for me was  easy as I did not have to make any speeches.  However the official robes proved to be very hot.