Charters School in Sunningdale hosted a ‘Greatest Showman’ themed Gala Dinner on Saturday 30th March to raise funds for a new Oasis Garden at the school.

Parents and staff were greeted by a cast of drama students including ringmasters, contortionists, magicians and strongmen, who mingled with the guests as they drank champagne to the sounds of the school’s Jazz Band, before being called in to dinner.

The Gala Dinner at Windlesham Golf Club in now an annual event for the school and during the meal, magician Mark Williams combined sleight-of-hand and comedy to entertain the guests before comparing the live auction. The Charters’ Senior Dance Group then performed a specially choreographed piece to The Greatest Showman’s ‘This Is Me’, before guests took to the dancefloor until the early hours.

  St George’s School, Ascot,  girls score a Hat Trick at Area finals

Girls from St George’s, Ascot have been awarded Young Enterprise Company of the Year, Best Company Report and Best Customer Service at the Bracknell, Wokingham and Ascot area final.

The final, held at Easthampstead Park Conference Centre, celebrated the  achievements of pupils from across the area who have set up and run a company over this academic year as part of the Young Enterprise Company Programme, sponsored by HSBC.

Six companies from a range of local schools competed across a number of categories, including presentation, customer service, sustainability and company report, with an award for each category. Products  marketed included jewellery made from sustainably sourced materials, healthy recipe cards, adhesive mobile phone credit card holders and sustainable tote bags.

Winkfield Parish Council  owns and manages the superb children's play area - with its beach theme - at the Locks Ride Recreation Ground, Forest Road, Winkfield

 info@winkfieldparishcouncil.gov.uk      FACEBOOK    TWITTER  Winkfield Parish Council office - 01344 885110 

Heathfield School, Ascot, was abuzz with lively political debate on Friday 7^th June when it hosted BBC Radio 4’s Any Questions?  presented by Jonathan Dimbleby.  The school’s St Mary’s Theatre was packed with members of the public and students eager to participate in the topical news discussions, joined by a panel comprising the SNP's Joanna Cherry MP, Historian Max Hastings, former leader of the Conservative Party Lord Howard, and the Shadow Brexit Secretary Keir Starmer MP.

With topical news questions submitted on the night by a diverse audience, Any Questions? explores a range of the most stimulating moral, political and social issues of the day. Heathfield School applied to host the show to encourage its students to engage with politics and deepen their understanding of the role each person plays in shaping society.

In preparation for the event, the school’s Head of ICT, Careers and Outreach, Rushi Millns, devised a Heathfield version of Question Time with the pupils as members of the panel. Mrs Millns planned this to coincide with Parliament Week to celebrate the centenary of (limited) women's suffrage. Mrs Millns was also involved in the 'Ask Her to Stand' initiative on 21 November 2018 to encourage more women to enter public life in order to increase their representation.

Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals hold Dragons Den style event for team to pitch ideas to achieve Trust vision:

 Friday, 14^th June, saw the second annual Dragons Den event held by Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals. The event, inspired by the Television Programme of the same name, provides the opportunity for staff to present their ideas to the Executive Team, who take on the role of the dragons, and pitch for additional funding to purchase equipment they feel would benefit patients whilst in hospital and improve team working processes.

The day was launched by local television presenter and fitness trainer, Annie Price, who gave an inspirational presentation and shared some of her experiences as a patient. She spoke about the importance of the personal touch, and being made to feel safe and welcome, which was a great reminder about what really makes the difference to patients, and the impact of hospital care.

There were over 40 proposals from various teams with a wide range of specialties represented; from medicine to maternity, and therapies to surgery. The proposals were creatively pitched, with some of the highlights including a rap from one of the Occupational Therapists, outlining her bid for therapeutic tools for people with dementia, and a performance of ‘Money, Money, Money’ by Abba, from staff across the hospitals who are putting on a Pantomime later this year. It was a fantastic day with teams really getting into the spirit and having fun with their pitches.

Thames Hospice  

Pictured: Rosemarie Ford Congratulates 30 Year Award Recipient

As part of National Volunteers’ Week, more than 170 Thames Hospice volunteers enjoyed a special afternoon tea hosted at Royal Ascot Racecourse on Tuesday 4th June 2019 to celebrate their enormous contribution to the charity. In just one year, the charity’s 650 volunteers contributed a staggering 80,742 hours of their time to the Hospice.

Much-loved singer, dancer and TV presenter Rosemarie Ford awarded long-service badges to many volunteers who have given their time to the Hospice for 10, 15, 25 and even 30 years.

Katherine Leach, Head of Volunteering at Thames Hospice, said: “Our annual Volunteers’ Afternoon Tea is just a small token of thanks for the incredible support volunteers offer to Thames Hospice. Our 650-strong army of volunteers make an enormous contribution to our success and we always look forward to bringing them together at this event to say a huge thank you.

“A special thank you must also be extended to Ascot Racecourse for kindly providing the venue free of charge and their support throughout the event.”

Afternoon tea was served from 2pm, and magician Mike Stoner entertained the audience before speeches from Thames Hospice CEO Debbie Raven, Thames Hospice Chair of Trustees Jonathan Jones and special guest Rosemarie Ford.

To find out more about volunteering for Thames Hospice, visit www.thameshospice.org.uk/volunteer