May Day Dancers Continue Centuries Old Tradition To Welcome the Summer
The annual May Day celebration of the coming of summer was held again yesterday (Saturday, May 2) in Guildford. Pilgrim Morris dancers hosted traditional friends for the Summerpole to be raised on the Castle Green. On a suitably sunny day, “sides” (as Morris dancing teams are called)…
Comment: Who Will You Vote For and Why?
By Martin Giles “The unitary authority scheme truly marks the end of local politics and representation. Central government has really taken control of every arm of politics now. Very sad.” So wrote a friend of mine who, like me, had attended the Onslow Village-organised hustings on Tuesday…
Candidate Profiles – Guildford Area – West Surrey Council Elections, 7 May 2026
By Hugh Coakley The Guildford Dragon NEWS has compiled profiles for all candidates for the West Surrey Council elections on May 7 based on questions we asked the candidates. How did the candidates in your area respond to the questions? We asked them to respond to the…
Councillors Disagree Over ‘Prison Block’ Premier Inn Planning Proposal
By Chris Caulfield local democracy reporter A “monolithic” four-storey block “akin to a prison block at Broadmoor” will tower over the gateway to Farnham, a councillor said, after plans for a hotel on the former Beefeater site were approved. In its place will stand a new 74-bed…
No Trifling Matter: Magpie Trapped in Godalming Sainsbury’s
By Daisy Edwards A magpie with a fondness for sausage rolls, ham and trifle has been trapped in the Sainsbury’s superstore in Godalming, it is said, since April 19. Magpies are protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, so it is illegal for…
Witness Appeal Following Effingham Robbery
Surrey Police are appealing for witnesses following a robbery in Effingham. Officers have been made aware of a report of a robbery that took place around 5.40pm on Wednesday, April 22, on Lower Road, Effingham. Three men in a white van approached the victim while they were…
Freedom of Worplesdon Bestowed on Parish Stalwart Mary Broughton
Worplesdon Parish Council has bestowed Mary Broughton with the honour of Freeman of Worplesdon. It being the highest honour the parish can bestow. The parish council says Mary gives a strong and continuing commitment to Worplesdon – by being a major contributor to parish life with her…
Can You Create a Jekyll-inspired, Prize-winning Scarecrow?
By Martin Giles If you can design a scarecrow that beats off the competition you could be in with a chance to win £100 in two free-to-enter competitions, one for adults and one for children. To mark Guildford Museum’s exhibition, Gertrude Jekyll in Surrey, Guildford in Bloom…
Leading Councillors To Step Down As New Unitaries Take Over
By Chris Caulfield local democracy reporter Some of the biggest figures in Surrey politics are not standing in next month’s once-in-a-generation elections. This year will see the creation of two new councils, East and West Surrey – replacing the county and the existing 11 boroughs and districts.…
High End, Luxury Hotel and Spa Gets Approval
By Chris Caulfield local democracy reporter A ‘beautiful” and “fantastic” high end, luxury hotel, spa, and fine dining restaurant nestled in…
Opinion: Local Government Reorganisation – How Did It Happen Like This? Part 2
Patrick Oven borough councillor for Send & Lovelace and Guildford Greenbelt Group leader In Part 1 of his opinion piece Patrick Oven…
Guildford Choral and Guildford Symphony Orchestra Concert, G Live, Saturday, May 16
Two titans of the Guildford music scene are reunited in this uplifting spring concert of choral splendour and orchestral brilliance. Music…
Opinion: Local Government Reorganisation – How and Why Did It Happen Like This?
Patrick Oven borough councillor for Send & Lovelace and Guildford Greenbelt Group leader Last year, the current Surrey County councillors had reached…
Birdwatcher’s Diary No.348
By Malcolm Fincham The weather continued to remain settled in late April as a high pressure system continued to build over…
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