Local News
Entrants Cry Foul over West Horsley Place’s ‘Ghosts’ Prize-draw Tactics
By Isabelle Trubshaw Fans of the BBC sitcom Ghosts are demanding refunds from a prize-draw organised by West Horsley Place after a series of changes were made to the competitions’ rules, which several participants have described as “illegal”. After weeks of speculation, West Horsley Place anno...
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Guildford office building bought for millions to be turned into flats
Developers have bought an empty Guildford office building, with the aim of turning into flats.
‘Amazing Secret Hilltop Café’ Granted Licence
By Chris Caulfield local democracy reporter An “amazing secret hilltop café in Surrey with stunning views and picture postcard lanes” is set to make a comeback as a restaurant run by chefs with a background in Michelin-starred kitchens. The Hilltop Kitchen in Alldens Lane, Godalming, has been g...
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While Guildford Says ‘Yes’ Epsom & Ewell Says ‘No’ to New Councils
By Emily Dalton local democracy reporter Plans to set up new “community councils” in Epsom and Ewell have been scrapped after residents made their feelings very clear they did not want them. Opposition councillors slammed the idea as a “vanity project”. At a full council meeting on March 12,...
GBC Recommends Town Council for Guildford to West Surrey Shadow Authority
By Martin Giles Guildford is to have a town council but only if the new “Shadow” West Surrey Council agrees. Last night (March 16), Guildford Borough councillors, in a debate that the presiding Mayor remarked was commendable, considered feedback from a second public consultation on whether to cr...
Guildford named among England's 'most underrated' towns and the reasons why won't surprise you
Residents will have reasons why they like calling the town home, and The Telegraph clearly shares those
Mayor of Guildford Honours Work of Incredible Volunteers Across the Borough
There were 27 Guildford borough recipients of this year’s Mayor’s Award for Service to the Community (2026). The award recognises volunteers as well as organisations who selflessly give their time to strengthen and enrich the community. The annual award ceremony took place at the County Club in ...
Notice: Time to Book Your Vehicle for Lions Club’s Classic Car Display, April 26
Guildford Lions Club is holding its popular classic car display in the High Street on Sunday, April 26, and there’s still time to register your car to attend. The Lions say there will be up to 80 classic cars on display and that it promises to be both spectacular and popular. Pre-1985 (ie tax exem...
Runnymede Council’s Refusal to Support Tree Petition Labelled ‘Shameful’
By Chris Caulfield local democracy reporter Runnymede Borough Council’s “lack of ambition” in supporting environmental volunteers has been called “shameful” after a petition to plant trees on its land was recommended for refusal. Members of the Englefield Green Village Neighbourhood Forum ...
Surrey weather latest - exact day county to be hotter than Rome
Surrey could see highs of 18C making parts of the county warmer than the famous European suntraps of Rome, Lisbon and Athens
Husband and wife jailed after brothel network uncovered in Guildford
Two addresses, one in Guildford and one in Aldershot were used for prostitution
Letter: Local Democracy Is On Its Knees
From David Roberts In response to: Local Elections Explainer This whole election cycle is pretty disillusioning. The issue is not so much that various local elections have been postponed. Or that the local government reorganisation was never subject to public consultation. Or that two unitary counci...
Police Shut Down 11 Drug Networks in Surrey During Week-long Operation
Twenty-eight arrests were made and 11 drug networks closed down across Surrey during a week of intensive police activity during early March. Drugs were seized along with weapons including two firearms, knives, machetes and swords. The operation during “County Lines Intensification Week” ran from...
Disbelief as popular Guildford walking route blocked and locals left without access
Lorimer Burn said its "not just like any path, which just enables you to get from A to B. People actively want to walk along this path because it is so peaceful.”
Insights: Time is Running Out for the Masterplan
By Bernard Quoroll former local authority CEO The recent exchange between Cllr George Potter and former Cllr John Rigg, deserves some unpicking. It followed publication of John Rigg’s opinion piece: Guildford Cannot Afford to Delay Decisions on Flood Alleviation and letter Where Is the Evidence of...
Highways Bulletin: Cheaper Bus Fares for Under 21s
The information for this bulletin comes from Surrey County Council and is written by them. See interactive map here. Report potholes and highway issues here. Junction 10, M25 news here. Young people living in Surrey can save money on bus travel thanks to the free Surrey LINK card, which offers 50 pe...
Column: Ben’s Record – Titbits of Guildford News
An occasional column written by the very well-known Guildford character Ben Darnton of Ben’s Record’s in Tunsgate. Ben, who also publishes Guildford Past & Present, puts on the record titbits of Guildford news, discovered through simple observation and from keeping his ear close to the groun...
Notices: Waverley Singers Choral Concert, ‘Exaltation’, Guildford Cathedral, March 21
The arrival of Spring, the lyrical song of the lark in flight, and the spiritual power of the Mass combine in this concert for choir, organ, and solo violin with music by Vaughan Williams, Mazzoli, and Bach, all chosen to suit the resonant acoustic of the Cathedral. The choir will be accompanied by ...
Mayor’s Diary: March 15 – March 29
The diary for the Mayor of Guildford, Howard Smith, and Deputy Mayor Jane Tyson as provided by GBC. All information supplied by GBC. Find out about Guildford’s Mayor & Deputy Mayor here. Sunday, 15 March to Sunday, 29 March 2026 Wednesday 18 March 18:00 The Mayor attends the H...
Major Changes Reported To Be Underway within GBC’s Executive – Will Leader Survive?
By Martin Giles Reports of disarray at the top tier of the Liberal Democrat-run Guildford Borough Council have reached the Guildford Dragon NEWS in the last 24 hours. Although there has been no official announcement, the threat of resignation by a senior member of the Executive on Wednesday is belie...