Surrey Day’s Celebrations Took to the Skies

Published on: 17 May, 2024
Updated on: 17 May, 2024

This year’s Surrey Day has been hailed as a great success by its organisers, a partnership between Surrey’s official tourist board, Visit Surrey, BBC Radio Surrey and the Surrey Lieutenancy.

Surrey Day celebrations at Brooklands Museum, Weybridge.

The first Surrey Day was in 2019 and this year’s took place last Saturday, May 11.

The organisers say: “From natural wonders at Birdworld near Farnham to aviation innovation and history at Brooklands Museum near Weybridge, the sixth Surrey Day celebrated the theme of Surrey from the Sky.”

Chris Howard, who chairs Visit Surrey, said: “We’re absolutely delighted with Surrey Day 2024. The sun shone, more people than ever got involved and I smiled so much my face hurt by the end of the day. This is a wonderful collaboration between so many people and it makes me proud to live in this wonderful county.”

Following an unexpected but magical showing of the Northern Lights in the early hours, Surrey residents headed for the Surrey Hills for a bird’s eye view.

Attractions held events, local food and drink tastings and special entry offers; and local dignitaries, including the Lord Lieutenant and the High Sheriff of Surrey who visited towns and villages across the county.

BBC Radio Surrey broadcast from Birdworld near Farnham, Fairoaks Airport in Chobham and, finally, Brooklands Museum near Weybridge, with music from many local artists and bands showcased throughout the day.

Events co-founder Mark Carter, deputy managing editor of BBC Radio in the South and South East, who hosted the Brooklands Museum section of the day, said. “Surrey Day always delivers plenty of inspiring and uplifting moments.”

In the evening, BBC Radio Surrey broadcast a show hosted by Emily Jeffery, which was created by Chris Howard.

They recorded at a host of locations exploring many links with the sky above the county. It is available as a podcast on BBC Sounds and includes artists, bugs, bees, birds, bats, helicopters, gliders, air cadets, satellites and space exploration!

Following in the footsteps of previous Surrey Day ambassadors, including Dame Penelope Keith, Sir Brian May and Eamonn Holmes, actor and adventurer Brian Blessed lent his famously booming voice to the occasion too.

Next year’s Surrey Day will be on Saturday May 10.