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After Duty Drinks 41st Signal Squadron Tuesday 24th October 2006

It was a pleasure to be attending the After Duties Drinks of the 41 (Princess Louise's Kensington) Signal Squadron

It was good to meet Janet Marshall, Mayor of Croydon.  It was a pleasure to meet again Major Kendall and Lt Col Street and to catch up with their activities.  First met at the TA in Kingston, then Chelsea Barracks.

Reception For Angela List, Retiring Chief Superintendent of Police. Tuesday 24th October 2006

It was a great privilege for me and for Sandra Flower, Chair of the Kingston Community & Police Partnership,  to attend the Mayor's tribute to Chief Supt Angela List on her retirement.

Many others came to give their best wishes to the Chief Supt.

The Mayor, myself, Howard Jones and the new Chief Superintendent, Laura Nicholson.

The Mayor presenting Chief Supt List a silver plate from the Borough

We all wish Angela a happy and active retirement.  Angela and I come from the same town, Sidmouth in Devon.  We were born in the same hospital - years apart!  We still have links to East Devon and we frequent the Hare & Hounds Public House so we might bump into each other!

Surrey Poppy Launch 2006 Thursday 26th October 2006

Surrey Poppy Launch 2006, held in Reigate Priory School, Reigate, lead by Canon Peter Bruinvels and Mrs Sarah Goad, Lord Lieutenant of Surrey

This Poppy is created from over 3,500 images.  The People's Poppy encourages people to 'look behind the poppy' to see the myriad of ways that Poppy Support can change people's lives for the better.

It was an honour to meet Major Ron Morris, MBE, (Malden & Coombe), whose branch won the 'Most Successful Large District in Surrey'.  Major Morris was presented with the Certificate.

It was also a pleasure to meet these 'old timers'

The Mayor & Mayoress of Sutton and the Deputy Mayor of Merton.  Meeting up again is always a pleasure.

Best wishes to the British Legion and all their hard work raising money for those in need.

 

 

 

Fulham Football Club Racial Awareness Event Tuesday 24th October, 2006

The Racial Awareness Event  organised by Fulham Football Community Sports Trust was a great success with lots of boys taking part

John Azar, Krec, myself, Gary Mulcahey and Joanne Barton of FFC

It was a great honour to meet Mr Woo and to see him in action

This is what he is famous for!

It took a lot of effort to get this photgragh!

This event was a great success and congratulations to all those involved with the organisation of it.  They put in a lot of hard work.

ABCD Reception Lambeth Palace Tuesday 17th October, 2006

Action around Bethlehem Children with Disability - ABCD is celebrating its 21st year as a registered charity.  The organisation has been working  with disabled children and their families for the past 23 years in the Greater Bethlehem area.

In March 2006 the ABCD made a field visit to Palestine the economic situation was grave .  The Palestinian Ministry of Health was owed 9 million Shekels so that all hospitals and rehabilitation centres had a major cash flow.  ABCD's sponsored, Gaza based students on the Occupational Therapy Degree course at Bethlehem University continued to face problems with travel restrictions.

David, Val and John arriving at Lambeth Palace.

Myself with Val, who was also a teacher at Coombe Girls' School.

Some of those helped by ABCD.

Speakers at the reception spoke of the terrible conditions being experienced in Palestine, taxes paid by Palestinians are not being handed over and bank accounts are frozen.  One of the speakers broke down as he spoke of the suffering.

I'm a Councillor get me OUT of Here Winner 20th October, 2006 Me

I won with 57% of the vote!

Black History Month Cultural Dress Day 20th October 2006

This was a chance to get dressed up in costume from another culture.  The Mayor and I were both keen to participate.

The Mayor looked very good in her dress

Myself with John Azar and Bruce MacDonald +

Myself with the band and dancer, all were spectacular.

All looking very colourful

A wonderful event with good food and beautiful costumes

Association of Retired Council Officers 20th October 2006

Arco has a coffee morning and a 'get together' once a year, and it was a pleasure to be invited to attend today.  I was met by Margaret Seymour, Chair, with whom I enjoyed a cup of coffee.

Margaret and myself.

I managed to have a chat with a number of the ARCO members.  Most had worked for Kingston Council, and had held a variety of jobs.

Douglas Reynolds gave a most interesting talk on Richmond Park. 

  

Tea in Mayor's Parlour, Chinese Guests 16th October 2006

It was a great pleasure for the Mayor and myself, to welcome four Chinese guests, for tea in the Mayor's Parlour.  We all spent a most interesting afternoon.

 

 

A traditional tea of scones and cream, cakes and fruit for the guests, Annie Hui Chen,Lijun Bi, Xiaofeng Liu and Peter W. Liu.

I really liked this image of Chinese dancers that Annie gave me.

This is Annie with fans, at the Dance event in Trafalgar Square.

 

Its an all women show!

With Queen Anne

Social Event for Kingston Association for the Blind Volunteers Raleigh House 14th October 2006

The meeting was social event for volunteers, and what a good gesture, to recognise the work of the volunteers.  A number of their clients were present so it was a great pleasure to thank the volunteers on behalf of the residents of Kingston and the blind and partially sighted  who use their services.  The volunteers run a 'Buddy' scheme, clubs, a talking newspaper, and the latest, 'tandem' bicycles for which they have just received a generous grant.

I was met and escorted by Jonathan Cooper, Chair of the organisation

It was good to talk to both the Buddy and the client who greatly appreciated her help.

Good luck for the future

Sakoba Dance Theatre Friday 13th October, 2006 Kingston College

A truly amazing evening was spent at the Sakoba Dance evening.  The performance was in celebration of 20th Anniversary.  Although based in Newcastle there are strong links to Kingston.  Pupils from Coombe Girls' School, Southborough School, Kingston College and Kingston Grammar School all took part in workshops.

We were met by Colin Bloxham (not in the Picture) Joe Saviour, and Thay 

It was good to meet Veronica again

Always a pleasure to speak to the star of the show. 

Colin helps to organise the events. 

A special thanks to all involved as it was clear that a lot of work went into the evening's production. 

Refugee Action Kingston AGM 11th October 2006 John Bunyan Baptist Church

It was a great pleasure for me to chair the AGM of Refugee Action Kingston.  I have always admired the hard work done by all those connected with the organisation.  Details of how they can be contacted are below. 

Robin Hoar, Treasurer, Rosemary Tilley, Chair, myself and Kathryn Beatham, Director of RAK

Mayor and Mayoress of Sutton, Richard & Sue Bailey. Greeted at Guildhall 11th October 2006

It was a pleasure to greet the Mayor and Mayoress of Sutton, Richard and Sue Bailey, at the Guildhall.  They were beginning the 2nd section of their Sponsored Walk around the London Outer Orbital Path (LOOP).  I wish them every success.

Good Luck!

London Youth Games 2006 Congratulations Tuesday 10th October 2006

Kingston young people did very well in the London Youth Games.  The Mayor was keen to recognise their achievements so she invited them to the Mayor's Parlour where she handed them their certificates. The group were then invited  to the beginning of the Full Council Meeting so that members were able to show their appreciation for all the hard work needed for the competitors' success.

The Trampoline Team

The Karate Team

Archery

Kingston Family Fortnight Saturday, 7th October 2006

Above are some of the services for families on display at the Family Fortnight

I was met by Barrie Selwyn, Principal, Kingston Adult Education, his daughter, Veronical Storey and Katherine Fisher, Deputy Principal, KAE.

We have the Joker with us this time

A balloon hat being made for me.  A member of the public said this young man was the best she had seen making items with the balloons, he was very quick with my hat!

Food tasting!

Food tasting - blind folded I had to guess just what I was eating - children love this experience!

Kathryn Thorne, the daughter of Jeremy Thorne, a former councillor.

There were lots for young people to do both in Eden Walk and the Memorial Gardens, it is a very effective way of promoting the borough's services for families.

Citizenship Ceremony 7th October 2006

Another great morning at the Citizen Ceremony

The ceremony allows both of us to wear our civic dress to welcome new citizens.

Welcome to all.

Kingston Carers Network AGM 4th October 2006

Malden Care Scheme Annual General Meeting Monday 2nd October, 2006 8pm

It was a great pleasure to be asked to the AGM.  It is always amazing to find voluntary organisations working so hard to help residents in the area, this time in New Malden.  Some members have been part of the organisation since the Malden Care Scheme started 30 years ago.

I was met by the Chair, Mrs Anne Cann, and on the other side of me is the Secretary, Michael Taviner and Treasurer, Roger OLsson-Hildick, with the volunteers behind.

Myself with the most important people!

Thank you all for an enjoyable evening and good luck for the next 30 years.

Light Relief 2006

If I am free on a Thursday evening, which is not very often, I go to the Berrylands Public House, where I meet my cousin and listen to the Jazz Band of which her husband is a member.

An old number being swung here.

Geoff has been playing for more years than he would care to remember.  I first heard him play in Exeter in the 50's, he then came to London and played with Ken Collier, and had his own bands, and played in others.  For a number of years he played in the Grey Horse, Kingston.  He has played in USA, including New Orleans, so you can imagine how upset he and other Traditional Jazz musicians were when the hurricane hit the home of Jazz and the lack of action by the US Federal Government to help the citizens of that wonderful city.

Royal Kingston Scout District Accordion Concert Saturday 30th September 2006

Royal Kingston Scout District

This evening was one of those evenings which turned out to be very unusual.  I have been told as Deputy Mayor I will be attending some most unexpected events and this proved to be one of them.  I have to admit I have never heard of an Accordion Orchestra, and to hear that they play in competitions around the country amazed me and my husband David. The music was very good and the whole evening most enjoyable.  I even managed to draw out draw prizes for both drivers who attended to take us home!

The Kennet Accordion Orchestra

The conductor also told a few of 'those' jokes, and had the lead accordionist laughing - as well as the rest of us, maybe some of the orchestra had heard them before!

The reason behind the concert is to raise money for the scouts to attend the World Jamboree in 2007.  29 scouts have been selected to attend and each costs £800+, so a lot of fund raising has to take place. Good luck for the fund raising.

Other events

Quiz Night,  21st October, 2006, at 7.30pm, !st Hook HQ, Kent Way, Surbiton

Auction of Promises, 18th November, 2006, at 7.30pm, 1st Hook HQ, Kent Way, Surbiton

Peter Pan, The New Wimbledon Theatre, Wednesday 10th January, 2007.