Meryl White
October 2024
FROM THE VALE ROAD DEPOT TO THE SEINE
Since moving to Claygate, Meryl White has immersed herself in community volunteering—and it’s taken her from the Vale Road depot to the Paris Olympics.
She says: “It seems like yesterday since I moved from a village in the north of England to a village in the south, but here I am after four years, joining in the every-day life of Claygate. Being ‘retired’, I had time to spare and so looked for a chance to give something to community life by doing things I enjoy.”
After a career in education spanning more than 40 years, becoming involved with Claygate Primary School seemed a good place to start. “The welcome I had when joining in the life of the school, as a governor and also in the daily life of the school, helping with reading and supporting the staff on visits, was tremendous. They are always keen to welcome people into school to inspire and encourage the children.
“As someone new to the area, I was also looking to see how things might work together. So after I’d become a member of the Claygate Gardening Society and started helping out at its depot on Vale Road, I realised it could inspire pupils at the school in one of my passions – gardening. ‘Together we grow’ is the school’s motto and, working together, the school and society have revitalised the raised beds in the school garden, planted an amazing new herb trug and more than 450 trees in the grounds, ensuring a new generation cultivates an interest and involvement in gardening.”
This summer, Meryl’s indomitably enterprising spirit took her beyond Claygate: “I thought it would be tough to top the amazing ‘Gamesmaker’ volunteer experience I enjoyed at the Aquatics Centre for the London 2012 Olympics. But working as a volontaire at the Paris 2024 Olympics, and the Paralympics Cycling road races and time trials, did just that. It was such a privilege to be chosen as one of 45,000 volunteers.”
She adds: “Just get involved in volunteering – and see where it takes you! From Claygate to Paris, this volunteering lark c’est top!”
