Tonight, I ducked by Hersham Scouts on Burwood Close, where they are preparing for their annual festival to raise money for their local scouts group. Ed Grimsey runs a tight ship, and all hands were on deck preparing for the weekend-long festival. Friday night will see local bands and stand-up comedians perform, while Saturday is […]
Read MoreOxfam and allied campaign groups are up in arms that Conor Burns MP has complained to the Charity Commission about its politicised advert attacking coalition austerity. I have written a post of The Spectator’s Coffee House Blog, setting out why I think Oxfam need to show more self-restraint given their charitable status. You can read the […]
Read MoreI know I keep going on about the Headsmart campaign and the Brain Tumour Charity (BTC), but it’s only because they are so fantastic. Last Tuesday, I hosted an event in the House of Commons to celebrate the BTC’s success in raising £13 million in the last year for research into brain tumours. It […]
Read MoreToday, I dropped in on Lower Green Community Centre’s Beehive initiative. Run by local mums, Cathy Heavens and Lyndsay Bennett, the project organises drop in sessions for a couple of hours each Friday morning. It links together a play area for young children, the East Elmbridge foodbank, Lower Green Household essentials (which provide domestic goods […]
Read MoreToday, I visited Walton Firs, located in a spectacular spot in Cobham, with Rosemary Dane and Peter Willman. Walton Firs is a 28 acre site offering a range of activities for youngsters through to the more elderly. The centre used to be a Scout Camp site. It is now run as a charitable organisation with a focus […]
Read MoreOn Thursday evening, I spoke to Walton Rotary Club, at Burhill Golf Club. Kindly hosted by President Reg Mills (pictured below), along with Bob Freeman and David Edney, it was a wonderful evening. The discussions ranged from local matters, including pot holes (too many) and school places (not enough), to national and international affairs. Walton […]
Read MoreToday, I was out and about in Walton with two of the most impressive people I know in the voluntary sector. Dr Helen Bowcock is now the High Sheriff of Surrey, and has a stellar track record as both a sociologist and philanthropist. Jackie Lodge is the Chief Executive of Walton Charity, the 800 year […]
Read MoreOn Thursday, Walton was graced with a Royal visit from Princess Anne, to open the Citizens Advice Bureau’s (CAB) new office at the Elmbridge community hub. Our CABs do a marvellous job locally, advising on a range of issues from debt to housing. We also paid tribute to their Domestic Abuse Service’s tenth anniversary. It […]
Read More Today, I visited The Hub Walton, a local charity serving as a one-stop shop of advice for those with disabilities, the elderly and carers. Matt Seaby (below) showed me around and explained how his team fit into the community hub in Walton. He has a team of around 13, mostly volunteers, and they are […]
Read MoreOn Saturday night, Thames Ditton residents, led by Ruth Lyon and Karen Randolph, organised another fabulous New Year’s panto. The brilliant Charles Court Opera performed ‘Buttons’ at a packed Vera Fletcher hall. Erika and I attended, and enjoyed a great meal and a terrific evening. The funds go towards new equipment for Thames Ditton hospital - a […]
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