By Martin Giles Guildford will have a town council next year. West Surrey Shadow Authority accepted a recommendation made in March by Guildford Borough Council. The decision was taken at yesterday’s (September 15) Executive meeting of the West Surrey Shadow Council (WSSC). Council tax payers within the…

West Surrey Urged To Listen To Residents Over Creation Of New Guildford Council

By Chris Caulfield local democracy reporter Moves to create a new parish council for Guildford should be re-examined with due weight given to the residents who voiced their opposition to the plans, say some West Surrey councillors. In March, Guildford Borough Council – which will cease to…

Local MPs Speak Out on Surrey Hills Expansion and Grey Belt Designation

By Martin Giles Sir Jeremy Hunt, the MP for Godalming & Ash, has added his support to requests for the Government to approve the proposed boundary change to the Surrey Hills National Landscape area. The review, which has taken several years to complete, is recommending extending the…

Asylum Hotel to Return to Regular Use

By James Moules local democracy reporter A Surrey hotel will no longer be used to house asylum seekers and return to broader public use following a major refurbishment that has received council approval. The Stanwell Hotel in Stanwell has been used as asylum accommodation by the Home…

Surrey MP Asks for Urgency on Surrey Hills Review Decision

By James Moules local democracy reporter A Surrey MP has called on the government to approve the expansion of the county’s protected landscapes “as soon as possible”. Claire Coutinho Conservative MP for East Surrey has written to Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle to voice her support for…

Division of Opinion on Religious Connection Delays School Merger

By James Moules local democracy reporter A proposed merger between two Surrey schools has been shelved after the potential religious affiliation of the new school divided opinion. Surrey County Council had mulled plans to amalgamate Merrow Junior School and Merrow C of E Controlled Infant School owing…

Teaching Children About Pornography Requires New Approach, Research Suggests

The way young people are taught about pornography may be doing more harm than good, according to research from the University of Surrey. A new study argues that fear-based education is failing to reflect how teenagers actually encounter sexual media. The research team, whose work is published…

Hop Growing Ends at Puttenham – And a History of its Cultivation in Farnham Area

By David Reading with David Rose After this year’s poor harvest, the Hampton Estate at Puttenham will stop growing hops – bringing to a close a chapter that has been part of the Hampton name for generations. The reason is climate change – summers have been getting…

Disappointing Loss for City

Clanfield (0) 1 Guildford City (0) 0 By Barry Underwood Guildford were looking to reignite their early season form against Clanfield…

Dragon Review: The Other Side of Murder – Yvonne Arnaud Theatre

By Ference Hepp Murder at Midnight, Murder in the Dark and now, The Other Side of Murder. These are all hit…

Ripley Museum Exhibition In The Footsteps Of The Priors

In the Footsteps of The Priors is the latest exhibition at Ripley Museum. It features places of worship that existed, and…

New Canon Missioner Set To Join The Team At Guildford Cathedral

The Rev’d Dr Mike Branscombe will be joining Guildford Cathedral as its new Canon Missioner. Mike, who is currently Vicar of…