Lord Mayor of London visits Treloar’s

On Monday 5 February Treloar’s students and staff were delighted to welcome the Lord Mayor of London, Alderman Charles Bowman and The Lady Mayoress, Mrs Samantha Bowman, to the campus in Hoybourne. Accompanying the Lord Mayor was Sheriff Tim Hailes JP as well as Masters, Prime Wardens and Deputy Masters of 50 Livery Companies; doubling last year’s attendees.

This annual visit is an opportunity to celebrate Treloar’s heritage, linking back to its founding in 1908 by the then Lord Mayor Sir William Purdie Treloar, and to thank those attending for their support. Visitors were given the opportunity to tour the campus and were able to visit classes in session, the specialist therapy rooms and the residential accommodation provided on the campus.

The Lord Mayor and his party were also able to visit the remarkable Assistive Technology department which, through a special blend of technology and engineering, enables the students to access their learning and live more independently. During 2017, the department fulfilled 1,815 service requests to enhance and adapt various technologies to improve lives.

The Lord Mayor described his visit to Treloar’s as “a unique day in the Lord Mayor’s diary” and one which he found enjoyable and inspiring. As a token of the special relationship between Treloar’s and the City, he presented Treloar Trust Chair Alistair Mackintosh with a commemorative peppermill which symbolises “the business of trust”, his theme for the year, and Treloar’s distinct place in hearts across the City.

Patrons and special guests joined the group for a delicious lunch. The day finished with a stunning musical performance with students and staff performing several well-known songs, and the willing audience joining in with the singing, signing and bell ringing. The photo shows the Makaton signing of “pop” in Pop Goes the Weasel, which everyone enjoyed!

Tony Reid, Treloar Trust Chief Executive commented: The links that Treloar’s has with the Lord Mayor and the City of London are very special to us and we are grateful that so many busy people took the trouble to come to see the difference their support makes. We hope that they will take a piece of Treloar’s away with them and that we will be able to welcome them back again soon.