Service raises charity cash

Date:  27 October 2011

Over £300 was raised for charity by Councillor Chris Whately-Smith at the traditional Chairman's Civic Service on Sunday (23 October 2011).

Attending the afternoon service at St Paul's Church in Langleybury were 80 residents including charity volunteers and councillors.  The service was led by St Paul's vicar, Rev. Ysmena Pentelow.

Cllr Whately-Smith read an extract from Ulysses by Alfred Lord Tennyson and the theme of Rev. Pentelow's sermon was community service, drawing on Tennyson's line,  'to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.'  

Rev. Pentelow paid tribute to the Chairman's chosen charities - the African girls' education group, CAMFED; the educational, British-based,  Licensed Trade Charity and the Colne Valley Special Sailors who are located at the Aquadrome. The vicar also paid tribute to those involved in the forthcoming Olympics and Paralympics.

Chris Whately-Smith served as cabinet member for leisure and community at Three Rivers District Council before taking up the non-political post of Chairman in May.

Chris said:  

"I was delighted so many people from our many community groups around Three Rivers, and of course the Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Chairs, Mayors and Councillors from around Hertfordshire, were able to attend and celebrate all that is good in Three Rivers.  

"The delightful pieces played by Shona Holmes who teaches the accordion at the Centre in South Oxhey, and the beautifully sung piece by the  St Paul's School choir who performed, even though it was half term, made it a very special occasion.  

 "I am also looking forward to hearing Shona's pupils carol concert at the Harlequin Centre on the 3rd December in aid of the Macmillan cancer charity."


The money was raised in a collection for the Chairman's chosen charities. 

Community leaders who would like the Chairman to visit their group or event can contact Sarah Haythorpe for more information  01923 776611.

About the Chairman's chosen charities

Chris Whately-Smith is fundraising for the following three charities this year.

CAMFED When you educate a girl in Africa, everything changes. She’ll be three times less likely to get HIV/AIDS, earn 25 percent more income and have a smaller, healthier family.  Find out more...

THE LICENSED TRADE CHARITY has a long history in running schools.  The charity achieved Royal Chartered status in 1836 and it has both HM The Queen as patron of its schools and H.R.H. The Prince Philip as patron of  its charitable work and Support and Care for those in the trade.  Find out more...

COLNE VALLEY SPECIAL SAILORS Colne Valley Special Sailors (CVSS) is an organisation run entirely by volunteers who are all keen to encourage people with disabilities to sail. Many are able, with the group's support, to sail on their own from their first visit.  Find out more...