Firefighters tackling the large grassland fire which broke out on Ash Ranges yesterday afternoon (Saturday, May 27) were still at the scene this morning (Sunday). A Surrey Fire & Rescue spokesperson said that although the blaze had been brought under control, firefighters were still damping down little…

Travellers Remain At Stoke Park

By Martin Giles Travellers who on Wednesday (May 24) told The Dragon NEWS that, mindful of planned events, they would leave before the weekend, are still encamped at Stoke Park. One young mother said they might leave tomorrow but she was uncertain. See also: Travellers from Unauthorised…

Locals Object to RHS Wisley’s Plan to Extend Use of Overflow Car Park

By Martin Giles A resident of Wisley village is claiming that a planning application by RHS Wisley to use a former sports field as an occasional overflow car park for 500 cars for up to 150 days each year has not been sufficiently advertised. Currently, the residents…

Boost for Walking and Cycling in Surrey

Surrey County Council has been awarded £997,843 to deliver improved facilities for walking and cycling throughout the county. The investment will see more cycle and walking routes being created across the county and the development of “Liveable neighbourhoods”, areas that are improved to be more “people-centred” with…

Thames Water Says Sewage Spills ‘Totally Unacceptable’ But Admits Residents Will Pay

By Hugh Coakley The admission by water companies, including Thames Water, which provides water and sewage treatment works for Guildford, that bills could rise to deal with the untreated sewage spills into rivers and the sea was criticised by local politicians and environmental activists in Guildford who…

Junior Doctor Strikes Could Become ‘Monthly’

By Chris Caulfield local democracy reporter Junior doctor strikes at a Surrey NHS trust is feared to become “monthly” with “a lot less willingness” from people to cover gaps in maintaining levels of service. The Royal Surrey NHS foundation board meeting took place on Thursday, May 25,…

Government Steps in to Manage Woking’s £2bn Debt – the Highest in the Country

By Chris Caulfield local democracy reporter Woking Borough Council, proportionally, “the most indebted local authority” in the UK, has crumbled under the sheer weight of its crippling £2 billion debt as government-appointed commissioners have been sent in. The borough council had amassed the huge debt as part…

Royal Grammar School Teachers Go Out on Strike

By Martin Giles Striking teachers at the Royal Grammar School are completing their days of industrial action today over pension arrangements. It is believed to be the first teachers’ strike in the school’s 500-year history. Last week and this they are striking on Wednesday and Thursday. But…

Make a Splash by Taking Part in the Lions Raft Race or Sponsoring a Dashing Duck

Join the Guildford Lions, Surrey Care Trust and Zero Carbon Guildford 0n Saturday, July 1, for an afternoon of fun in…

Birdwatcher’s Diary No.280

By Malcolm Fincham By the end of the second week of May a long awaited spell of settled weather had arrived.…

Low Income and Rising Debt is Devastating Lives in Guildford

Westborough United Reformed Church, in partnership with other Christian churches in Guildford, works with debt help and anti-poverty charity. Christians Against…

Staines Could Become a ‘London Suburb’

By Emily Coady-Stemp local democracy reporter Residents in Staines have asked for a clear idea of the town’s transition from a…