Good Morning Surrey!
It’s that midweek moment when the calendar suddenly gets loud - a school email, a work deadline, and then someone asks: “So… what are we doing this weekend?” You’re half-thinking about the heating bill, half-thinking about getting out of the house.
So here’s the calm version: the key Surrey updates that matter, plus the best of what’s on - theatre, live music, markets, and a few ideas that don’t require a big plan.
In today’s edition
TechLocal digital skills funding opens, with Surrey providers urged to bid.
Surrey Economic Growth Fund helps Surrey-based maternity Lesh to scale up
UK–Japan science and technology deal and future energy costs
Community funding, Surrey-based maternity options across the county.
A packed weekend of theatre, gigs, wellness walks and a Haslemere market.
Let’s take a look.
— Prince Khurram
P.S. Our Monday Update leans more towards news, the Wednesday Midweek Brief balances news and events, and the Friday Weekender is lighter on news and fuller on events and Eat & Drink. We would really welcome your thoughts on this format and how we can improve The Surrey Digest for you.
News
£15.4m TechLocal funding opens for applications
Photo by: TSD
A new TechLocal programme has opened as part of the government’s TechFirst initiative, funding local partnerships to build skills for fast-growing digital sectors and help employers find the talent they need. Surrey colleges, training providers and employers can apply across two strands £7.6m to connect people into local tech jobs and £7.8m to develop AI degrees and traineeships. Applications closing at 11:00 on 18 March 2026.
Focus is on frontier technologies: AI, cyber security, quantum computing, engineering biology, semiconductors, and advanced connectivity
Applications open 4 February as part of the government’s AI skills push
Two competitions: Local tech jobs: £7.6m total, £100k–£225k per project, and AI degrees & traineeships: £7.8m over 4 years, £100k–£300k per project
Briefing sessions: Tuesday 10 Feb 2026 (11:30 for jobs strand; 14:00 for AI strand)
Apply via the Innovation Funding Service (IFS)
Lesh maternity brand shows fund in action
Source: Business Surrey
Business Surrey’s latest profile follows Lesh, a Surrey-based maternity brand using support from the Surrey Economic Growth Fund to scale up, invest in stock and marketing, and plan new hires.
Funding is helping the founder bring more designs to market and invest in a more reliable supply of stock.
Support also covers marketing and business planning so the brand can reach more customers sustainably.
The case study shows how county-level funds can translate into real products and local jobs.
It is used as a worked example for other small businesses considering whether to apply.
Click here: To read the founder story and see how the Economic Growth Fund is being used in practice
National headlines for Surrey
UK–Japan science and technology deal
The UK and Japan have agreed a fresh package covering life sciences, quantum technologies and advanced connectivity, including investment in gene therapy and a £6m programme on future networks.
Advanced nuclear framework and future energy costs
Government has set out a new framework to unlock investment in advanced nuclear, including small modular reactors, aimed at energy security, decarbonisation and high-skill engineering jobs.
Click here: To read how government plans to scale advanced nuclear and what it says will happen next
County Updates
Hurst Pool £1.3m refurbishment this spring and summer
Source: Elmbridge Borough Council
Hurst Pool is due a £1.3m refurbishment, with works starting in late March 2026 and running into late summer, bringing a refresh to changing areas and better energy performance behind the scenes.
The project includes upgraded changing facilities and improvements to décor and customer areas.
Energy-efficiency works should help cut running costs and emissions.
Some disruption to normal opening hours is expected while works are underway.
Updates will be shared so users can plan swims around the timetable.
Community Digest
Your Fund Surrey backs seven projects and opens small grants
Your Fund Surrey has awarded over £537k to seven community projects across Cranleigh, Elmbridge, Woking, Lingfield and Walliswood, and is inviting applications to its Small Community Projects Fund for £1k–£50k grants, with a deadline of Friday 20 March 2026.
Here is how it works:
Recent awards show the fund backing a spread of local spaces and activities across the county.
Small grants range from £1,000 to £50,000 for new or improved community facilities.
The current round closes on Friday 20 March 2026.
Typical applicants include community groups, charities and parish-level organisations.
🗓️ Featured Event
🚶Stirrings of Spring: Forest Bathing Journey | Fri 6 February, 10:00–12:00 (Info/Tickets)
Source: surreyhills.org
🚶Weekly Qigong in the Surrey Hills | Sat 7 February, 10:00–11:00 (Info/Tickets)
Location: Surrey Hills, near Guildford
Description: Gentle Qigong centred on breathing, stretching and low-impact movement. Check the listing for the meeting point.
✨Special Events
Professor Brian Cox: Warm Up | Fri 6 February, 7:30pm (Info/Tickets)
Location: G Live, Guildford
Description: An evening of science stories and space talk. Primary ticket channels are showing this as sold out.
Between the Covers Live! | Fri 6 February (Info/Tickets)
Location: Pennyhill Park, Bagshot
Description: A day of author events and discussion (roughly 11:00–17:30), with premium ticket packages.
Running on Love – business breakfast | Fri 6 February, 8:00am–12:00pm (Info/Tickets)
Location: Hilton Woking, Woking
Description: Half-day business event on “running on love” as a strategy for growth, aimed at SME owners and managers.
Library of Things launch | Fri 6 February (Info/Tickets)
Location: Woking Library, Woking
Description: Launch of Woking’s Library of Things — borrow rather than buy items you only need occasionally.
🎭Theatre & Performances
Blood Brothers | Tue 3 – Sat 7 February (Info/Tickets)
Location: Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
Description: The musical is in town for one week, with evening shows on Friday and Saturday plus a Saturday matinee. Tickets start from around £29.
Cabaret Drag Night with Dame Alan | Fri 6 February (Info/Tickets)
Location: The Fallen Angel, The Angel Hotel, Guildford
Description: Drag, cabaret and mischief in an intimate upstairs bar setting. Tickets are around £10.
🎸 Music & Gigs
Girl Power Experience – Spice Girls tribute | Fri 6 February (Info/Tickets)
Location: New Victoria Theatre, Woking
Description: Tribute night with choreography and singalong moments. Expect tickets around the £30 mark.
Royal Marines Band Concert | Fri 6 February (Info/Tickets)
Location: Camberley Theatre, Camberley
Description: A full programme of military and concert band favourites. Tickets are around £25.
Life’s a Rodeo – Country Night | Fri 6 February (Info/Tickets)
Location: The Boileroom, Guildford
Description: Nashville-style country night with live music and themed atmosphere. This date is showing as sold out on ticket sites.
Radiator & Sweet Unrest – Live in The Basement | Fri 6 February (Info/Tickets)
Location: The Basement, Stag Hill campus, University of Surrey, Guildford
Description: Student-union gig featuring Radiator and Sweet Unrest. Check the listing for timings and entry details.
Surrey Soul Sensation at The Olive Tree | Fri 6 February (Info/Tickets)
Location: The Olive Tree, Sutton Green
Description: Free-entry soul, Motown and disco from around 7:30pm to late.
Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.
Broader events list – late February to early March
Domination: The Fall and Rise of an Empire with Alice Roberts | Sun 22 February 2026 (Info/Tickets)
Location: Dorking Halls, Dorking
Historian and broadcaster Alice Roberts brings her touring show on empire, power and collapse to Dorking for one night, mixing history, storytelling and visuals.
West Surrey Artists Exhibition | 18 February – 1 March 2026 (Info)
Location: Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre, Walton-on-Thames
A free exhibition from West Surrey Artists, spanning painting, print, ceramics and more in a relaxed riverside gallery setting.
Guildford House Open Exhibition – final days | To 28 February 2026 (Info)
Location: Guildford House Gallery, Guildford
The open exhibition’s last weekend of its 2025–26 run, a good moment to catch it before it closes.
Surrey Soul Sensation – The Retreat, Staines | Late February 2026 (date as listed) (Info/Tickets)
Location: The Retreat, Staines
Soul band night in a small venue setting. Check the listing for entry details and any booking requirements.
🛍️ Markets
Haslemere Farmers’ Market | Sat 7 February
Location: Haslemere High Street, Haslemere
Description: Monthly market with local producers selling meat, cheese, bread, preserves and more — good for stocking up and adding a wander around town.
Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.
🍽️ Eat & Drink
Restaurant of the Week – Sorrel, Dorking
Sorrel is modern British fine dining in a beautifully converted, 300-year-old former schoolhouse on South Street, Dorking, with only a handful of tables across two floors. It holds one Michelin star and leans into an open-kitchen feel, so you can watch the precision behind each course. Expect seasonal, tasting-led menus, with exploratory lunch options. It’s open Wednesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner, and it’s firmly one to book ahead for a special-occasion meal.
Location: 77 South Street, Dorking RH4 2JU
Style: Modern British, tasting-led fine dining
Price: Exploratory lunches from ~£75; signature tasting menu £145 (subject to change)
Click here: To book a table and check current menus and opening times | To browse the latest menus before you book
Eat & Drink quick hits
Silent Pool Distillery
Location: Silent Pool Distillery, near Albury (Surrey Hills)
Description: Scenic distillery offering bookable tours and tastings alongside its shop.
Click here: To check tour and tasting times and book ahead
Dorking Brewery Taproom
Location: Capel (between Dorking and Horsham)
Description: Rural taproom serving its own beers on site, with tours on certain dates.
Click here: To check taproom opening hours and brewery tour availability
Greyfriars Vineyard
Location: Hog’s Back near Guildford
Description: Vineyard tastings and tours that make the most of the North Downs views.
Click here: To find visiting information and book tastings or tours
High Clandon Estate Vineyard
Location: Near East Clandon
Description: Boutique estate vineyard with bookable tours and tastings,
Click here: To book a tour or tasting or buy wines and vouchers
Hogs Back Brewery
Location: Tongham
Description: Brewery with tap, shop and tours — handy for groups and easy pick-ups.
Click here: To check tour dates, tap opening times and special events
Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.
📒 Directory
Leather Repair Alterations & Restoration Co. – Walton-on-the-Hill
Location: Walton-on-the-Hill
Description: Specialist workshop for leather repairs, alterations and restoration (jackets, bags, upholstery).
Click here: To see examples of work and arrange an appointment
The Shoe Box – repairs and keys (Haslemere)
Location: Haslemere
Description: Cobbler for shoe and leather repairs, key cutting and trophies, handy for school shoes and last-minute engraving.
Click here: To check services, opening hours and contact details
Mazzi Laundry – Woking (with shoe repair)
Location: Woking
Description: Laundry and dry-cleaning with collection/delivery options, plus shoe repairs.
Click here: To book collection or delivery and see services covered
Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.
And Finally,
If your weekend turns into the familiar game of “who’s where, and who’s driving,” you’re not alone. Between Guildford, Woking and Haslemere, Surrey in February can feel like one long lap of the A3 and A31.
Whether you head out or stay put, I hope this made the weekend feel a bit more like a plan than a scramble. And if you try the Library of Things in Woking, hit reply and tell us what you borrowed first.
Have a good weekend, Surrey.
Thank for reading. Let’s chat on Monday.
