My T&L Honours List

As we stand on the threshold of another year, let’s pick out some positives from the one just past.

Perhaps if I highlight the work of a handful of people who regularly give freely of themselves, to benefit their community, it will serve as an inspiration for us all as we enter 2012. You will know many others who deserve equal praise.

What better place to start than the Secombe Theatre, Sutton, where the fruits of the labours of David and Jenny Barnfather can be seen and enjoyed every year. Working together, as the Carshalton Pantomime Company, the couple have already presented an amazing 46 consecutive productions at the theatre, raising well over £900,000 for local children’s charities in the process. While with theatre, let’s mention the ceaseless work of Savvy Theatre Company’s Sheree Vickers and Sutton Theatres’ Kate Puleston, both of who devote unending energy, time and expertise to local youngsters through their training and motivation. A big thank you, too, to the organisers of the Imagine Festival and the Olympic Arts & Culture sub group for keeping the arts alive and well in Sutton – and to the Playhouse for continuing to deliver entertainment of the highest order in Epsom

Our business community would be much the poorer without the input of people like Paul Cawthorne, whose work with Sutton Chamber and Business over Breakfast does so much to support existing businesses and attract new ones. The mayors of Sutton and Epsom, Councillors Jerry Jerome and Sheila Carlson, respectively, are supporting chosen charities while in office; Jerry actually founded his – Ways to Work - which he set up to help young people into work at this difficult time.

But to mention one name is to leave out another. The real gems in our community are those ‘ordinary’ people who do extraordinary things, whether it be to raise money for one of our local charities, care for a loved one, look out for a neighbour or to simply ask ‘what can I do?’ when someone looks like they need some help. Thank you, one and all. You are all in my New Year’s Honours list!

Happy New Year

Chris Wood is resident composer with Guest House Opera and editor of Epsom, Sutton and Cheam Time & Leisure.