Representative Deputy Lieutenant for the London Borough of Hounslow

Rosi Prescott DL FRSA

Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London
Representative DL for LB Lambeth 2009-2022
Representative DL for LB Hounslow 2022 to present day

As a young teenager, Rosi studied piano at Trinity College of Music in London under Professor Alfred Kitchin (a proud ‘grand-pupil’ of Brahms) alongside her traditional schooling. Her passion for music continues today.

Following university and after starting a family, Rosi lived and worked in the USA whilst her husband served on an RAF exchange with USAF on F111 jets. She established a health and well-being club at the start of the ‘movement’ whilst over there in the mid-80s, before launching a second upon her return to the UK some years later.

Having volunteered and worked for the YMCA during her time running the club, Rosi was ultimately appointed the first female Chief Executive of Central YMCA in 2003 (the world’s first YMCA, a charity founded in London in 1844) and served in that capacity for seventeen years. During that time, the charity underwent a period of significant change and growth and provided a wide and imaginative range of services targeted at supporting young people across the UK in their life journey. The YMCA is a global charity (over 60m members in more than 120 countries) and she was Vice-Chair of the World Network of YMCAs and Chair of the U.K. network of YMCAs during that time.

Rosi served on a wide range of charitable and public-sector boards during her time at the YMCA and continues to volunteer in that capacity today. She remains especially committed to supporting young people and has created and run numerous campaigns to highlight the challenges they face in the 21st Century.

Rosi was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant (DL) of Greater London in 2009 and also the Representative DL for the Borough of Lambeth 2009-2022 and subsequently for the Borough of Hounslow in 2022. She was granted the Freedom of the City of London in 2023.

More information on the London Borough of Hounslow at http://www.hounslow.gov.uk

King’s Coronation Weekend – May 2023

The King’s Coronation weekend was  very busy with lots of street parties and people volunteering their time.

Two  murals painted voluntarily by young local artists from Hounslow

volunteers busy at work resurrecting a community garden

and the last one shows volunteers buy at work resurrecting a community garden.

Introducing Ms Rosi Prescott to the Mayor of Hounslow – Tuesday 8th November 2022

On Tuesday 8 November, Sir Kenneth Olisa OBE (the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London) introduced the new Representative Deputy Lieutenant for the Borough of Hounslow – Ms Rosi Prescott – to the Mayor of Hounslow, Councillor Raghwinder Siddhu.  Ms Prescott also met Councillor Siddhu’s team.

Proclamation Reading – sunday 11 September 2022

Rosi Prescott – Representative Deputy Lieutenant for the Borough of Hounslow – attended the Proclamation Reading.

Platinum Jubilee celebrations – a visit to Bedfont Park in Hounslow

Rosi Prescott – Representative Deputy Lieutenant for the Borough of Hounslow – taking part in the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in Bedfont Park.  A Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacon was lit later that day as part of the celebrations

Hounslow Youth on Parade

Sunday 13th March

Over 70 cadets and adult instructors from the London Borough of Hounslow’s finest youth organisations paraded together on Sunday 13^th March to bid farewell to Hounslow’s retiring Representative Deputy Lieutenant Paul Kennerley and to welcome London Fire Brigade cadets to the borough.

Paul has been Hounslow’s Representative Deputy Lieutenant (HM Queen’s representative in the borough) for the last three years and retires at the end of March. Accompanied by Mayor Councillor Bishnu Gurung, they inspected the large parade held at Cranford Community College.

Addressing the cadets and leaders, Paul Kennerley DL said:

“I want to thank you for giving me this marvellous send off, but its also the first opportunity we have had to welcome the London Fire Brigade Fire Cadets to the borough.  Its great that they are the latest addition to uniformed youth organisations in our borough. A very warm welcome to you all.”

Mayor Councillor Bishnu Gurung presented Paul Kennerley DL with a shield in recognition of his long service to the Greater London Lieutenancy and recently, as Hounslow’s Representative Deputy Lieutenant. He said:

“It gives me great pleasure to make this presentation.  I would like to say a big thank you to Paul for his support and to the many adult leaders without whom the uniformed youth organisations could not function for the benefit of our young people.”

Organisations represented under the YOU London banner (Youth Organisations in Uniform) were the Sea Cadet Corps, Army Cadet Force, Air Training Corps, Volunteer Police Cadets, LFB Fire Cadets and St. John Ambulance.

Following the dismissal from the parade the cadets and their leaders retired for some well-earned refreshments.

The aim of YOU London is to work together to support young people by maximising the benefits of the existing youth organisations. Working together takes many forms including inter-group competitions, sharing premises, sharing information, exhibiting together at recruitment events or simply being aware of who’s who within each borough. Working together often produces for the groups much more than the sum of the individual parts.

Students and staff at West Thames College of Further and Higher Education took part in a celebration of cultural diversity this week, as the college held the “Commonwealth Big Lunch” at its campus in Isleworth, West London. It was an exuberant occasion best summed up by college student Simran who said, “It was so good.  It was an amazing event, I’m so glad that I took part in the fashion parade and dance, to help celebrate and share my culture.  I hope to take part in the next event.”

The displays of traditional dancing and national costumers as well as the impressive artwork showcased the students’ backgrounds. Other activities included flag face painting and badge making, along with a multi-cultural fashion show. Staff and students contributed food for all to enjoy from the Caribbean, Africa, Asia. There was even a taste of Lebanese cuisine celebrating the fact that West Thames College’s 6,000 student body represents not just the Commonwealth but the world.Student Experience Manager, Samantha Louisy, explained how the lunch was part of a series of themed events and presentations to raise awareness among staff and students of the college’s rich cultural diversity, which extends across the communities of Isleworth, Feltham and beyond.

West Thames College students dancing

West Thames College students dancing

Outstanding Cadets Receive Deputy Lieutenant Awards 2018

Friday 23rd March 2018

Deputy Lieutenant Certificates for 2018 for Hounslow, were presented on 23 March 2018 by Her Worship The Mayor of the London Borough of Hounslow, Councillor Sue Sampson the Royal British Legion Hounslow, Whitton Road, Hounslow.  The prestigious awards are made to cadets across London who have dedicated themselves and shown commitment above and beyond.  Maria Pedro, Representative Deputy Lieutenant for Hounslow,  read the citations in front of the gathered family and friends of the cadets and RBL members. A buffet reception followed.

Commonwealth day tea at Hounslow civic Centre

Monday 12th March 2018

In a borough where 50 of the 52 Commonwealth countries are represented The Mayor of London Borough of Hounslow hosted a Commonwealth Day Tea at Hounslow Civic Centre for councillors, staff and invited guests. Maria Pedro Representative Deputy Lieutenant told the gathering it that it was down to everyone to make the Commonwealth relevant to 21^st Century and to do that by tweeting the Commonwealth Secretariat what they’d like it to do on #ourcommonwealth.

Hounslow staff enjoying tea on Commonwealth Day

The Mayor of Hounslow, Councillor Sue Sampson, at her Commonwealth Day Tea

SAVING LIVES ON WATER

A visit to the Chiswick RNLI Lifeboat Station

Wednesday 20 December 2017

Patrolling the River Thames from Richmond Lock to Battersea Power Station the Chiswick Lifeboat Station is the second busiest RNLI station in the country saving over 175 lives each year. It is manned 24 hours a day 365 days a year as the crew have 90 seconds from the time of the call to launch from Chiswick Pier as The Maritime and Coastguard Agency requires attendance at an incident within 15 minutes.

The RNLI is funded entirely by voluntary donations

Maria Pedro Representative Deputy Lieutenant with some of the Chiswick RNLI crew

Chiswick RNLI lifeboat in action

Visit to Hounslow Jamia Masjid and Islamic Centre

Tuesday October 31 2017

Representative Deputy Lieutenant Maria Pedro visited Hounslow Jamia Masjid and Islamic Centre a vibrant faith, spiritual and community facility to see progress on their new extension due for completion next year.  Hounslow Jamia Masjid is the largest purpose built mosque in West London. Friday prayers typically see 4,000 worshippers and on Eid Day 10,000 – 15,000 worshippers visit.

Pictured (l to r)

Shafiq Reham, General Secretary, Maria Pedro Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London, Abdul Rehman Funeral Director, Iman Rafiq Ahmed

Isleworth community centre receives an ‘MBE’

October 23 2017

Maria Pedro, Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London awarded The Bridgelink Community Centre, Ivybridge Estate in Isleworth their prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2017. The award from Her Majesty the Queen is given for the volunteer work done to ‘support and empower a multi-cultural community in an area of economic deprivation.’

Wednesday 2 May 2018

HRH Princess Alexandra re-opens The Skinners’ Company Percy Bilton Court Almhouses, Skinners Lane, Hounslow TW5 0QE and was received by Miss Maria Pedro Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London.

Grenfell Tower’s thank you

On Wednesday 14 June 2017 Londoners woke to the news of the terrible fire at Grenfell Tower and watched the live footage of this unfolding, consumed by horror and sadness.

On Tuesday 12 September 2017 the London Borough of Hounslow held a reception the Civic Centre to recognise the contribution to save, help and support the residents of Grenfell Towers made by members of the emergency services and over 100 members of council staff in responding to the Grenfell Fire and its aftermath and to thank all involved for their sense of duty and selfless commitment.

West Thames College students visit Buckingham Palace for a day’s work experience

Monday 5th June 2017

A group of West Thames catering students visited Buckingham Palace for a day’s work experience. The visit followed on from two workshops given by members of the Royal Household at West Thames College last year

The students said it was a great day and a real insight into the workings of the Royal Household. The trip went a long way to dispel the myths of an old and traditional household as everyone they met were young and enthusiastic. The students saw that working in the Royal Household is a real possibility and that there are many opportunities for them.

Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2017 awarded to three London Borough of Hounslow organisations

June 2 2017

Three groups in The London Borough of Hounslow were awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

• Bridgelink Centre (the Ivybridge Estate) – supporting and empowering a multi-cultural community in an area of economic deprivation
• Metropolitan Water Board Railway Society – restoring and operating an industrial steam railway to provide a community attraction and preserve local heritage
• The Shelter Project Hounslow – providing accommodation and meals for homeless men during the winner and helping them find employment and permanent homes

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK to recognise outstanding work in their communities. It is the MBE for voluntary groups. The awards were created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and winners are announced each year on 2 June – the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.

from The London Gazette

DeputyLieutenant Awards May 2017

Nine London Borough of Hounslow Army and Sea cadets were presented with the  prestigious Deputy Lieutenant Awards 2017 at their units in April and May 2017.

The Queen’s 91st Birthday Tea

21st April 2017

Heston West Big Local’s* stylish celebration of The Queen’s 91st birthday was the perfect tonic for a sunny day – the food, the birthday cake and card, the residents’ enthusiasm were first class. HestonWest Big Local also launched a short film of two of their young people interviewing Maria Pedro about her role as Representative Deputy Lieutenant at the tea. It finishes with them and the film crew wishing Her Majesty Happy Birthday.

A visit to the Feltham Food Bank

Sunday 9th April 2017

It’s a sunny Sunday morning and many people are enjoying a lie in, going for a jog, perhaps taking the kids to football or another activity. Here in Feltham households suffering financial hardship, who are struggling, and in some cases failing, to put food on the table are collecting parcels of food from the Feltham Food Bank, a supply of tinned and other goods that will last them for three days.

I saw a steady stream of families and children, met the remarkable trustees and volunteers like Lorraine and John Calvert and Aisha Rahman, and listened to how they started the food bank, the referral process for the people who need their services and the food bank’s food drives at the local ASDA and Tesco.

No one should go hungry in London, one of our wealthiest cities. But in the last 12 months the number of food parcels the Feltham Food Bank gives out has doubled and demand is growing. This reflects the worsening financial circumstances in which many people now find themselves.

Feltham Food Bank and Hounslow Community Food Box are two of the London Borough of Hounslow food banks and there are many more in Greater London. So if you can, support your local food bank, or next time you’re in the supermarket and see a food bank food drive if you can spare it perhaps you can donate something.

http://news.radiojackie.com/2017/04/number-of-people-using-food-bank-in.html

Maria Pedro Representative Deputy Lieutenant for the London Borough of Hounslow.

Freedom of the Borough honour for ‘dedicated’ Royal British Legion branches

Tuesday 4th April 2017

Fanfare and applause was rightly given as the seven local branches of the Royal British Legion [RBL], were given honorary Freedom of the Borough of Hounslow, the highest civic honour.

Hounslow is the first Council to present the accolade to all of the RBL branches in its borough: Bedfont & Hatton, Brentford, Chiswick, Hanworth, Heston, Hounslow and Isleworth

Andre McGill, Hounslow branch chairman and Poppy organiser for RBL, said: “It was a great honour for the seven RBL branches in the borough to receive the Freedom of the Borough. The branches have worked tirelessly for over 90 years around the borough raising awareness of the RBL and we’re proud to serve our borough at Remembrance Day and all year round.

“A big thank you to Hounslow Council and everyone in the borough from all our branches for this honour.”

His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester cements a place in Brentford’s history for Pocahantas

Monday 20th March 2017

His Royal Highness, The Duke of Gloucester cemented a place in Brentford’s history for Pocahontas, by unveiling a plaque in her memory on Monday.

This month marks the 400th anniversary of the death of Pocahontas and to commemorate this, The Duke was joined at a special event by local dignitaries including representatives from the Richmond Virginia Indian Tribes.

The plaque has been installed in a niches in the wall of Syon House, close to the location where Pocahontas and her family lived for a short time. The theme of the event was From the James to the Thames, charting Pocahontas’ journey from her native America, where she was raised along the banks of the James River to the River Thames, here in London. She died and was buried at Gravesend in March 1617.

Hosted by Hounslow Chamber of Commerce the 2017 Hounslow Festival of Business took place at the Hilton Hotel Syon Park on 26th January 2017

The 2017 Hounslow Festival Of Business

Created to support Hounslow and West London’s vibrant economy the Festival of Business provided businesses of all types and sizes with an opportunity to showcase their products and services, attend a unique opportunity to network and make valuable connections, and get an insight how to grow in 2017.

Hounslow Festival of Business was officially opened by Maria Pedro, Representative Deputy Lieutenant for the London Borough of Hounslow and Cllr Ajmer Grewal, Mayor of Hounslow.

The Festival is a business to business event and the inaugural Festival had just under 90 exhibitors and a footfall of around 600 people. The day started with a stakeholders breakfast attended by Maria Pedro, the Mayor, two local MPs, the Leader of the Council and other members of the Cabinet. During the day there were workshops ranging from Social Media to Developing Unique Selling Proposition. The networking lunch was sponsored by Hounslow Council to launch fully subsidized business support, from Branduin Business Support, for small businesses employing 10 and less people.. The day saw two speed networking sessions and ended with a drinks reception sponsored by Heathrow.

Mayor’s Charity Dinner Dance 24th February 2017

The Mayor of LB of Hounslow, Councillor Ajmer Grewal hosted a Charity Dinner and Dance on Friday 24 February. The evening was attended by Maria Pedro, Representative Deputy Lieutenant, and the Mayors of LBs of Barnet, Havering and Redbridge and their consorts. Over £3,000 was raised for the Mayor’s chosen charities, The Alzheimer’s Society and Hounslow Association for the Blind.

Launch of the Personal Support Unit Feltham 19 January 2017

Official Launch of the Personal Support Unit, Feltham January 2017

On January 19 2017 the Personal Support Unit launched officially in Feltham, West London the latest of their 17 national groups. The Feltham unit is based at the West London Family Court in the London Borough of Hounslow. The court serves 11 London boroughs. The PSU HQ is in the Royal Courts of Justice and its trustees and supporters are a roll call of the great and good of the legal profession.

The Personal Support Unit helps those who face the civil and family courts without legal representation and often with little understanding of the complexities of the court system. PSU assistance is given for as long as needed, free of charge. They do not give legal advice.

Since it began operating in September 2016 the Feltham PSU has already helped over 100 at the Court who all said they would recommend the service. Some 40 have visited the PSU a number of times for support. PSU has also exceeded its initial target of 30 volunteers and recruited 38 new volunteers, including law students from both Brunel and West London Universities.

The evening’s venue was generously made available by the London Borough of Hounslow.

Attendees included Judge Judith Rowe QC, Designated Family Judge at the West London Family Court, Nick Gallagher, CEO of the Personal Support Unit, Jonathan Jelley MBE JP Chair of the London Appeal, Councillor Steve Curran, Leader of the Council, Councillor Ajmer Grewal Mayor of LB of Hounslow, various councilors and Representative Deputy Lieutenants from four of the boroughs covered by the court – Martin Russell (LB of Barnet), Captain Peter Baker (LB of Haringey),Maria Pedro (LB of Hounslow) and Gillian Norton (LB of Richmond-upon-Thames)

Hounslow Foster Carers’ Awards 25th November 2016

Pictured: Cllr Tom Bruce, Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services; Cllr Ajmer Grewal, Mayor of Hounslow; Cllr Pritam Grewal, the Mayor’s Consort; and Maria Pedro, Representative Deputy Lieutenant for Hounslow

Lieutenant shares her story at Hounslow Foster Carer Awards
25 November 2016

Hounslow’s Representative Deputy Lieutenant, Maria Pedro, shared her story with the borough’s foster carers when she was a VIP guest at November’s Foster Carer Awards event.

At the awards ceremony, she gave a moving speech about her own experiences and praised the work of the borough’s foster carers and the help and support they provide to some of the most vulnerable young people in Hounslow.

Ms Pedro said: “I met some wonderful foster carers at the dinner. I felt it was important for those attending to hear and see what a difference they can and are making to the young people in their care and reference my own experiences of foster care as evidence of their priceless contributions.”

Her comments were greatly appreciated by the foster carers, members and council officers who were in attendance.

The annual Foster Carer Awards recognises the work of those supporting the borough’s looked-after children.

Royal Household workshops at West Thames College of Further and Higher Education 25th November 2016

All Rise for the Royal Visit

West Thames College of Further and Higher Education for 6,000 students in Hounslow receives visitors from industry on a regular basis but few have royal credentials. On Friday 25 November 2016 the college welcomed members of the Royal Household staff, Miss Olivia Smith, senior footman, and Mr Phillip Pagels, junior sous-chef. The pair were joined by Maria Pedro, Representative Deputy Lieutenant, who had worked with the college careers and employability team to arrange the session, and leader of London Borough of Hounslow Council, Councillor Steve Curran.

Olivia and Phillip dispensed quickly with the formalities to deliver two informative employer insight workshops to a group of catering and business students. As senior footman Olivia is responsible for taking care of the ‘front of house’ for The Queen. Duties include serving at banquets and receptions and often involve travelling with the Royal Family. Whilst tending to the needs of Royalty and foreign dignitaries might appear challenging, the visitors were keen to dispel some of the misconceptions about working at Buckingham Palace. It came as a surprise to many that the Royal Household has a very diverse workforce, comprised of people from all over the world. The team is united not by having the best qualifications but by having the right attitude to deliver an exceptionally high standard of service.

For example Phillip joined the team from South Africa with no experience of working in a kitchen. However he did possess a willingness to learn and with the help of an apprenticeship with the University of West London, he has progressed through the ranks to a senior position.

Council leader, Steve Curran, re-emphasized this message, using his own work history to highlight the importance of interpersonal skills. In the question and answer session students reflected on the need to put both interpersonal and employability skills into practice when they enter the workforce.

The sessions wer warm, engaging and packed with useful information. Reece, a year 2 Business student summed up the feeling of many when he commented that, ‘I thought they (Olivia and Phillip) would be strict, like the military, but they were relaxed, friendly and funny’. Steve Curran closed the session with the statement, ‘Our students can get any job, if they show the right attitude.’