Sheila Griffin

I thought I would highlight women in the anti slave trade campaign.

Blackbirding

Have you heard of this term.  This practice took place long after the Abolition of Slave Trade in the British Empire.  In the late 1800s thousands of Melanesian Islanders were removed from their homelands, locked in boats and carted to Australia to work in Queensland's cane fields. It was virtually slavery. If you would like to find out more Google - Blackbirding.

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Posted by: sheilag    in: My entries

Modified on April 5, 2007 at 6:39 PM

The Chief Executive of Balfour Beatty, Sandie Barker (RBK) myself, Eileen Gray, Chair person of the London Youth Games, getting a cuddle from another representative from Balfour Beatty. 

Eileen made a very good speech which went down very well with all attending.  Jim Fitzpatrick, MP, hosted the event.  The winning two boroughs were Lambeth and Hounslow, Kingston was amongst the runners up.  Each borough receives £1,000.

With Mark Richardson, Olympic Silver Medalist.

After many months of hard work by Mary Graham and Denise Parry, supported by KVA, Mears and others, the Community Advice Shop was opened by the Mayor, Cllr Mary Reid. Well done to everyone concerned.  As a Councillor for Norbiton, I wish it every success.

As a member of  Soroptimist International, Kingston upon Thames & District Branch, I was extremely proud when our President Rosie Greaves presented the Mayor, Cllr Mary Reid, with a cheque for £510 for her charity, Young Kingston.  The Charity will make grants to young people aged 5 - 19,  to support projects that will benefit the community.

I am very proud to be a member of SI, their aims are to advance the status of women, promote human rights, and to promote equality through international good will.

Soroptimists also have good fund raising events which usually involved food!  Although Sunday's event was our annual lunch and not for raising funds.

It was a great pleasure to Chair the 36th AGM alongside of Margaret Seymour.

ARCO kindly gave a cheque for the Mayor's Charity

We heard a most interesting talk by Peter Kinton on the Boy Scout Movement.  He is next to a picture of Baden Powell.  This year is the centenary of the Movement.  Fund raising is going on a pace as the Jamboree is to take place in UK, the country of origin.  The red robe behind is Peter's blanket and the book celebrates 50 years of scouting.

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Posted by: sheilag    in: My entries

Modified on July 26, 2007 at 7:01 PM

The mayors and deputies of  Waltham Forest, Hounslow, Newham and Kingston upon Thames having a drink before dinner.

The short and the tall.  The Mayor of Wandsworth who hosted his fund raising dinner in the Tower of London, myself and Felicity, the Mayor of Hounslow

All busy! It was a memorable evening, one I won't forget.

This evening was a very impressive occasion.  The large amounts of money collected by the cadets was of great credit to them all.

Richard, Sue, (Sutton) Geraldine (Merton) and I,  with the Lord Lieutenant of Surrey.  I know everyone were very pleased with the impressive results of the Cadets and they all deserved their recognition for their efforts.

Ready to start the Walk at the Whittington Hospital.

This is Dick Whittington's cat, although it is doubtful that he had a cat! We are with the Mayors of Sutton, Merton  and Lambeth.

A group photo with the Town Cryer, Peter Moore, directly behind is Cllr Davis DL, Chairman of the London Mayors' Association, and the Lord Mayor.  David and I arrive at the Mansion House.  We had lunch here and received our certificates for completing the walk.

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Posted by: sheilag    in: My entries

Modified on July 26, 2007 at 7:03 PM

The Taekwondo Ceremony was spectacular, contestants were all ages, the youngest was three and there were a number of adults, two of which are in the picture..

Students are learning physical exercise, and respect, humility, perseverance, self control and honesty.  Watching the various activities it was clear that all of these values were evident.

I am with Mr Il-Soo Seok, Chairman of the Korean Resident's' Society and the Inspector of Police and trainers.

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Posted by: sheilag    in: My entries

Modified on March 12, 2007 at 4:59 PM

It was a great evening.  The profits from the Dinner go to the Mayor of Greenwich's charity which is 'Demelza Hospice for Children'

It was a great honour for me to go Coombe Girls' School, where I taught, to launch the 6th Form Rag Week.  The students are collecting money for the Kenya Uranga School.

The 6th Form are embarking on a week long fund raising activity.  I am sure they will be very successful as who could resist?

I have always enjoyed being part of this ceremony

Residents always take the ceremony very seriously and enjoy the morning.

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Posted by: sheilag    in: My entries

Modified on July 26, 2007 at 7:06 PM

I t was a great pleasure for me to attend the 75th Anniversary of the Women's World Day of Prayer.  Mrs Redding escorted me and was the lead for the day's prayer in the wonderful and very old Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin in Chessington.  The Speaker was the new vicar, Rev Sarah Oakland.

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Posted by: sheilag    in: My entries

Modified on March 5, 2007 at 9:17 PM

It was a great pleasure for the Mayor to welcome Dr Garth Glentworth and Chief Supt Laura Nicholson to the Mayor's Parlour on 28th February 2007.  We are accompanied by the Mayor's Chaplain.

Dr Glentworth has recently been awarded an OBE for public services overseas.  He has been closely involved with Britain's aid effort in developing countries by helping to construct state systems.

Chief Supt Laura Nicholson has become Kingston's new Borough Commander.

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Posted by: sheilag    in: My entries

Modified on March 5, 2007 at 9:03 PM

There was a lively discussion with Maple Infants School Council.  The pupils had a number of ideas.  Mrs Robinson, the Head, will be acting on some of the School Council's ideas.