Updated: Photo Feature: Surrey Snaps on Surrey Day

Published on: 5 May, 2020
Updated on: 5 May, 2020

Perhaps one of the advantages of the lockdown restrictions is that it gives many of us more time to appreciate our local Surrey environment. The wonderful weather in April and now into May gives it a fantastic setting.

Here are a few snaps we have taken. Please submit your own to add. What better way to celebrate Surrey Day, today Saturday, May 2. Click on images to enlarge.

On Sunday night (May 2) Guildford Cathedral was lit up in green to mark Surrey Day.

The event was jointly hosted by Surrey’s tourist board Visit Surrey, along with BBC Radio Surrey and Surrey Life magazine.

The chairman of Visit Surrey, Christine Howard, said: “It’s true that this was a very different Surrey Day from the one we had originally envisaged, but it also turned out to be just as special – and perhaps even more so.

“By moving to an online celebration, with everything from virtual tours to special interviews and post-lockdown tips, we were able to reach an unlimited audience. So, even those outside of Surrey were able to discover all the things that make our county so special.

“Also, at this difficult time, I think it was very uplifting for people to be reminded of all the wonderful places that we’ll be able to visit and enjoy together, once this is all over.”

Professor Caroline Scarles of the University of Surrey and a director of Visit Surrey, added: “Despite having to take place online, I think this year’s Surrey Day was even more special in its own way.

“This year, not only were we celebrating the people, places and stories that make our county so special, but also the extraordinary community spirit that we have seen in response to the coronavirus.

“There were so many inspiring messages, photos and videos, to help lift spirits and remind people what they can look forward to when the county finally re-opens its doors to visitors.”

Guildford from the west, a few yards from Green Lane, on the field at the end of the Hog’s Back that gives the High Street it’s green backdrop. Once the image is enlarged, the skyscrapers of the City of London can just be discerned on the horizon.

Guildford Cathedral, not everyone’s favourite building but there is no mistaking it and it has become an icon of the county town. In the background, the controversial high rise buildings of Woking stand out on the horizon.

To the southern side of Green Lane, one can look over the rapidly growing barley to the parallel greensand ridge with it’s “Pilgrims'” or North Downs Way. Conduit Farm is on the right. Chinthurst Hill in Shalford is on the left looking dark green.

Most things young are cute and these lambs, which had recently been turned out to pasture, are no exception.

Yellow celandine, white wood anemones and bluebells there were only a couple of days when these were all in flower together.

The rich colour of this lilac contrasts well with the foliage and spring sky.

Bluebells were the national flower of England once, and no wonder. Who doesn’t enjoy their blue carpet and their scent in a budding woodland setting?

Apple blossom. Is there anything more optimistic? It’s a favourite with honey bees and holds the promise of fruit in the autumn.

Early purple orchid in woodland on outskirts of Guildford, pictured at the end of April. David Rose.

David Rose took the following pictures today (Saturday, May 2), cycling along the River Wey Navigation between Stoke Bridges on Woking Road, Guildford and Triggs Lock, near Sutton Green.