Stoughton Salutes PCSO Sheila Willis at Surprise Party

Published on: 26 May, 2012
Updated on: 28 May, 2012

Popular police community support officer (PCSO) Sheila Willis was blindfolded on Friday evening (May 25) and taken to a secret location where a friendly crowd had gathered to meet her.

It wasn’t in the line of duty for the Stoughton PCSO, but, as it soon became apparent to her once the blindfold was removed, that it was a surprise party to mark her impending retirement.

Sheila Willis with, from left, daughter-in-law Karen, son Tim, daughter Alison, husband Rob, daughter Jen, and son-in-law Scott.

The main organiser of the party was Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator Jan Cook, with her husband, Paul; along with Pauline Searle and members of Sheila’s family.

A surprised Sheila Willis arrives at the party.

Guests at the party included close friends, local Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators, clergy from Emmanuel Church, local councillors and others who are key to the Stoughton Community.

After Sheila had got over the shock of seeing so many people whom she has worked with during her time in Stoughton, there was a special This Is Your Life presentation by daughter Jen and son-in-law Scott that included lots of photos of Sheila from her childhood (she was born on the Isle of Wight), her joing Surrey Police as an officer in 1966, her marriage to Rob, and on through to her rejoining the local force as a PCSO eight and a half years ago.

Paul and Jan Cook present Sheila with a card from well wishers on her retirement.

Addressing Sheila, Jan Cook said: “You are a fabulous person, I love you to bits. You will be sadly missed by everyone.”

Paule Searle said: “Since she started at Stoughton she has been ‘my Sheila’. We could not have asked for a better PCSO. She has brought the community together and has done things that us councillor could never have done. On behalf of the community of Stoughton, I thank you for everything you have done.”

Local councillors Fiona White, Pauline Searle and Wendy May with Sheila and the cake Wendy baked.

At the party, Rodney Amor, from the Surrey Association of Neighbourhood Watch, announced that Sheila has just been voted the PCSO who has done most for Neighbourhood Watch in the county.

Sheila added: “I am so shocked. I am so grateful to have been able to spend time in Stoughton. Everyone has been so welcoming. I have enjoyed every minute of it.”

Responses to Stoughton Salutes PCSO Sheila Willis at Surprise Party

Brian Holt

May 31, 2012 at 9:00 pm

Sheila fully deserves a good retirement. With Jan Cook she organised many community
events. We all remember the Stoughton Stroll About day in 2008, with walks, a fete and an evening barn dance. Sheila was hard working, putting in many hours of unpaid work, and fully deserves to have won the PSCO award for Surrey. The Stoughton community will miss her, no one will be able to fill Sheila’s shoes. We have have had the privilege of having the best PSCO anyone could ask for.