Representative Deputy Lieutenant for the London Borough of Wandsworth
Ms Trisha Windsor MVO DL
Appointed Rep DL: 2025
Trisha worked at British Airways for over 28 years, initially as cabin crew and in August 1990, following the invasion of Kuwait, she worked as part of the airline’s Crisis Management Team and was appointed the Emergency Procedures Manager. She subsequently became the Business Manager for Customer Service & Operations worldwide.
Trisha joined The Royal Household in 2007 as the Diary Manager to the former Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (now TRH King Charles III and the Queen Consort) and occupied that role for 14 years.
She is currently a volunteer with the NHS/RVS and has supported the Covid19 vaccination programme since February 2021. Trisha also volunteers at a foodbank with the Trussell Trust and is a Caseworker for SSAFA the Armed Forces Charity.
In her spare time Trisha is a keen walker and interested in the arts and sport. She was born and brought up in Northern Ireland and has lived in South West London since 1973.
Further information about the London Borough of Wandsworth can be found at http://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/
Wandsworth Memorial Service
Louise Ireland – Deputy Lieutenant – attended a memorial service in Wandsworth
Wandsworth Borough Council’s Proclamation Ceremony – Sunday 11 September 2022
Colleen Harris, Representative Deputy Lieutenant for Wandsworth, presides at Proclamation ceremony alongside the Mayor and Council Leaders
Visit to the Happiness Garden at St George’s C of E Primary School – 26th May
Ms Louise Ireland DL visited the Happiness Garden at St George’s C of E Primary school, on the 26th May. Also in attendance was the Mayor of Wandsworth, Councillor Jeremy Ambache.
A note from the headteacher
Our Happiness Garden is designed to stimulate wonder, imagination, well-being, storytelling and learning through nature for everyone who uses it. It is a magical space for wildlife and children, a natural woodland garden for play and outdoor learning and a habitat for insects and birds.
Based at St George’s CE Primary School the garden is surrounded by estates which are rated in the top 10% for deprivation in the UK. Because of this our children’s housing conditions can often be very cramped, and few of them have access to a safe green space to play in. When the pandemic struck our little garden became more important than ever. Our school has over 60% pupil premium pupils and over 25% SEND pupils (mostly related to social and emotional mental health). We felt that a space to experience the healing powers of nature and connect with the outdoors was vital for them.
We are a trauma informed school, and we are very aware of the negative impact the pandemic has had on the mental health and wellbeing of our young people and their families. The opportunities to get out into the gardens, learn how to make fire, toast marshmallows, and have storytelling under the trees has been invaluable. We’ve all taken such joy from seeing them relax, excel and enjoy things that many of us take for granted.
A core purpose of our garden is to offer safe challenges so that children can learn to solve problems and, in the process, build confidence, and develop an understanding and love for the natural world. It is also a place which encourages each of our children to explore, push the boundaries of their knowledge and working as part of a team inspires them to be the best that they can be.
Key Elements of our garden are: fragrant plants, colorful plants, nectar rich plants fruit trees, fire pit/stage/nature table, bird and bug boxes, a storytelling circle, fixed den building poles and kit, Happiness Garden mural, rain/sun awning, forest school resources and gardening tools. It is designed so that activities can be set up and packed away quickly, with resources stored close by, to provide a space which is multi-functional and accessible for many different of activities.
The Happiness Garden now provides the structural changes/improvements necessary so that outdoor classroom activities are fully resourced, accessible and can be adaptable, so that each one of our children can experience practical, nature-based learning.
The Happiness Garden, is used for the following:
- BREAK TIMES EVERY DAY The identified space is in the KS2 playground area and therefore will be used every day through play.
- LESSON TIME Planned activity takes place during lessons, as an outdoor learning area for a whole class, for teaching the curriculum with a hands-on approach.
- LUNCH TIME AND AFTER SCHOOL ENRICHMENT CLUBS The Happiness Garden is now used for forest school themed clubs, storytelling etc. and will extend our gardening, nature-based resources.
- PICK UP AND DROP OFF This space is accessible for the whole school and community to enjoy.
- OUT OF SCHOOL TIMES For use by pupils and the wider community.
- HOLDAY SCHEMES will also be developed to utilise the resources.
Some quotes from the children:
“I’m putting things into the soil and then watering all the plants”, Jackline, age eight.
“I can dig flowers and make life”, Emir, age seven.
“I enjoy spending time with worms and the soil”, Nikkita, age six.
‘’can help the plants grow and adding flowers makes everything look better,” Emmanuel, age eight.
“I like finding lots of worms, snails and creating all the plants”’Aidan, age six.
“it’s such fun to get into the gardens and get muddy. I don’t have a garden at home so this is where I can play”. Child at forest school
Forest School Leader: “To see the children engaging with nature is such a joy. One of these little girls really struggles to speak in class but out in the garden she’s a different character.”
HM’s Green Canopy – 24th March
On the 24th March, the Representative Deputy Lieutenant of Wandsworth, Mrs Colleen Harris MVO DL, planted a cherry tree as part of HM’s Green Canopy to mark HM’s Platinum Jubilee. Also in attendance was Cllr Ravi Govindia (Leader Wandsworth Council), Fleur Anderson MP, Alex Mitchell, CEO Tideway and Mayor Field (Wandsworth).
An oak is planted to commemorate Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022, and to promote The Queen’s Green Canopy initiative.
On the 17th November 2021, The Lord-Lieutenant, Sir Kenneth Olisa OBE presented an Oak sapling to the Mayor of Wandsworth to commemorate Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022, and to promote The Queen’s Green Canopy initiative. The Representative Deputy Lieutenant of Wandsworth, Mrs Colleen Harris MVO DL, was also in attendance.
