Sheila Griffin

It was a great pleasure for me to host the Tea Party for the Mayor.  Sadly, the Mayor had to attend a funeral, but she was able to return before the event ended.

Group picture of the families, Barbara & Bob Stoneham, and Heather & Nigel Palmer,  being recognised for their work providing short breaks for parents with children with disabilities.

Lee Hopkins reading the citation to Bob and Barbara Stoneham.

I am presenting a gift to Mrs Palmer, and Clare Warne, Co-ordinator, Befriending Project/Share the Care, about to present her with flowers.  This is in recognition for her work in the project.

I was very pleased to attend this event.  I came last year and was very impressed with the young people's dedication to the scheme.  Of course not all see the course through, it is very demanding. However,  it was good to see the effort put in by the team and the pleasure of the instructors when the young people gain their certificates.

The Participants

Action!

Rescue from a burning building!

All saved!

The end of a most interesting day

The Crown Court Service takes place annually.  When teaching at Coombe Girls' School I attended, with pupils.  It was very interesting to be part of the procession as it is one of the formal civic occasions in the Mayor's year in office.

Ready to go!

The procession to the church.

The Royal British Legion Buglers outside the entrance to the West Door of the Church

Cadets from the Kingston Grammar School Combined Cadet Force and Kingston Police Cadets lined the route.  The Mayor  coming out of Church to be lead by the Mace Bearer.

As the Civic Procession reaches the Guild Hall, the Mayor, Consort and Deputy Mayor greeted the Judges on the steps of the Guild Hall.  We then changed into day wear for coffee in Guild Hall.

I got the chance to say hello to Veronica, whom I have met on working party meetings

The Mayor and I were invited to lunch with the Judges in the Crown Court.   We then sat on the bench watching two cases. A most interesting experience.

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Posted by: sheilag    in: My entries

Modified on September 30, 2006 at 8:17 PM

This reception was for all mayors in London, so it was a great chance to speak to mayors and deputy mayors from other boroughs.  We were looked after very well.  I met up with two soldiers I met at the TA in Kingston.  Cllr Patrick Codd was also there.

We listened to speeches and had our photographs taken.

There were a number of displays

Information about the regiments

The army blacksmith at work

It was a great pleasure to meet Lt Col Street again.  We first met when I opened a new building in the TA Centre in Kingston Upon Thames

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Posted by: sheilag    in: My entries

Modified on September 30, 2006 at 7:09 PM

I was very pleased to be asked to attend Tiffin Girls' School prize giving as I was very interested to see the finished rebuilding of the part of the school damaged by fire.  I must say it is very impressive.

I was met by Mrs Kavita Patel, who proved to be an admirable host. With us is Sally, who I worked with at Coombe Girls' School

With Head, Pauline Cox

Prizes handed out by Lynne Truss, ex Tiffin Girl and renowned author.

Lynne Truss gave a very amusing address to the audience

The formal part of the evening finished with everyone singing the school song. The evening also saw the retirement of the Chair of Governors, who will be greatly missed.

All the pupils and staff have to be congratulated for their achievement both academically and in sports.

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Posted by: sheilag    in: My entries

Modified on September 30, 2006 at 7:15 PM

The Tamils, including Cllr Yogan Yoganathan, Cllr Rohan Yoganathan and Mr Tay Thayalan invited me to join them on a Peace Vigil outside the Guild Hall.  We are all aware of the problems between the Tamils and the Singalese in Shri Lanka.  Such a tragedy.  I hope the problems are resolved before there is more loss of life.

Good luck

It is always a joy to visit primary schools and the visit to Ellingham Primary School was no exception.  The first item on their Peace Day celebrations was to have an Assembly where they sang their Song for Peace.  It was a very moving experience.

I then planted a tree for Peace

Then had a tour of the school hosted by four pupils.

 This was a most enjoyable day.  I wish everyone in the school, both pupils and teachers, good luck for the future.

Home Start is a voluntary organisation which aims to help families with one or more children under five.  The volunteers are carefully trained and all have experience bringing up children.  These Home Start volunteers provide a lifeline for families in difficulty.

telephone 020 8296 0654

 I was very pleased to be invited to Home Start's AGM

Myself with Jane Bazalgette, Chair,  and Karen Penny, Co-ordinator

The Citizenship Ceremony was led by myself on 5th August.  It was another great ceremony with those gaining their citizenship, swearing allegiance to the Queen.

King John, who gave Kingston its first Charter

This is a rare picture with myself and the Mace Bearer, Harry as normally the Mayor takes this ceremony.

New citizens

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Posted by: sheilag    in: My entries

Hiroshima amd Nagasaki are the names of two cities in Japan which will be for ever in the memories of people.  These two cities were bombed at the end of World War Two.  The dropping of these bombs has been seen by many as horrific and unnecessary. General Eisenhower, Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe said "Japan was at that very moment seeking some way to surrender with the minimum loss of face...It wasn't necessary to hit them with that awful thing."

Myself with Rosemary Addington,

At this time every year Kingston Peace Council/CND mark the event with a small gathering of friends, members and members of the public.  It is an honour to be asked to come to be part of the event.

The floating lanterns

David, Joyce, Lynn and myself

David Jacobs 80 years young was a joyful event and many ex-mayors and other well known local personalities attended in the celebration.

David with the Mayor, Cllr Mary Reid.

David with the Mayor and previous Mayors

Myself, with Douglas Reynolds and Jeremy Thorne, both ex- Labour Mayors

'Curtain Up'  as Kingston's new theatre begins the completion.

The dramatic art installation K2, by leading artist Liz Rideal is the first sign of the completion work beginning at the new Rose of Kingston theatre.  This magnificent artwork will drape the corner of the new 2-storey theatre building until Rose of Kingston nears completion in autumn 2007.

Amonst those present were the artist, Liz Rideal, Sir Peter Hall, David Jacobs, Julie Church-Benns, Sue Higginson and myself, Cllr Sheila Griffin, Deputy Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames.

Thumbs Up! its Thursday is organised by Kingstonfirst, comprising of local businesses.  Graham McNally is the Chief Executive.  During the summer holiday the Town Centre put on events on Thursdays for children. I visited each event that was put on on 3rd August.  I was met by Lucinda Raggett, Operations Manager.

 We began at the Museum

the Museum

Then to the Rotunda where we met Shrek,

and around the corner is the Cafe au Play.

Our final stopwas at Borders Books for some story telling.