Happy New Year Surrey!

The first full January weekend has arrived with that familiar mix of bright cold mornings and slightly anxious glances at the thermostat. For some Surrey households the recent cold spell has quietly triggered Cold Weather Payments, for others the focus is already shifting to what the 2026 tax tweaks will do to bills and dividends once the new tax year starts.

At the same time the NHS is leaning harder on high street pharmacies to soak up some of the everyday coughs, rashes and prescription questions that would once have queued outside the GP. Add in the usual early year road and rail works and there is plenty to keep an eye on before you even open the events list.

If you have already used Pharmacy First for something you would once have seen a GP about, was it easier or just different.

In Today’s Edition,

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.}

Sub-zero temperatures have triggered Cold Weather Payments across many Surrey postcodes linked to the Odiham and Charlwood Met Office stations.

Click here: To check if your postcode qualifies and how Payments work

From April 2026, a run of tax and bill changes is likely to tighten household budgets. Dividend tax rises by two points from 6 April, income tax thresholds stay frozen, council tax is expected to rise by about 5% on average in England, Air Passenger Duty and TV licences are set to increase, and the flat rate work from home tax relief is being scrapped, making this the last year to claim it.

Click here: To read HMRC’s technical note on 2026 dividend /savings tax changes

Across January weekends, engineering works are disrupting services around Gatwick, Redhill and Purley. Some North Downs line trains between Reading and enhanced Gatwick are replaced by buses, others terminate at Guildford or Reigate, Southern and Thameslink routes via Redhill also face changes and bus links.

If you are travelling to Gatwick Airport or London via Redhill, plan ahead for 10 to 11, 17 to 18, and 24 to 25 January.

Click here: To check GWR’s planned engineering works before you travel

If you are planning a 2026 wedding, do not leave black tie to a last minute hire suit. A tuxedo is a tailored suit in disguise, the cut, drape, and details decide whether you look sharp or simply dressed up.

Why black tie should be tailored

If you want black tie done properly, start now with Barucci Custom Tailors London.

Click here: to view the 2026 Collection and reserve your appointment

Guildford Borough Council has launched Stage 2 of its Community Governance Review on creating a new parish (town) council for the unparished central urban area. The proposal would bring 10 current borough wards under a single “Guildford” parish, with 24 parish councillors and an estimated Band D precept of around £60–£100 in the first year (about £5–£8.34 per month).

The consultation runs until midnight on 1 March 2026, with a final decision expected at Full Council later in March.

Click here: To read the council’s news story and respond to the consultation

Surrey’s Crisis Fund provides emergency support for essentials, including food, toiletries, some utilities, and travel. Eligible households can also apply for the Household Support Fund Everyday Essentials supermarket e vouchers, available in monthly windows through March 2026, subject to funding.

Click here: To read about the Surrey Crisis Fund and voucher support

Lunchtime harp recital | Fri 9 January (Info/Tickets)

Location: G Live, Guildford
Description: Lunchtime classical harp recital as part of the Guildford International Concert Season 2025/26, typically starting just after 1pm, with a compact programme that fits a longer lunch break.

Symphonic rock orchestra show | Fri 9 January (Info/Tickets)

Location: G Live, Guildford
Description: Evening symphonic rock concert blending rock hits with orchestral arrangements.

Metal karaoke night | Fri 9 January (Info/Tickets)

Location: The Boileroom, Guildford
Description: Late-night karaoke with a metal twist, running into the early hours.

Candlelit opera evening | Fri 9 January, 7pm & 9pm (Info/Tickets)

Location: Christ Church, Guildford
Description: Andrea Bocelli-inspired opera experience with two one-hour sittings,

Choral evensong | Fri 9 January, 5.30pm (Info/Tickets)

Location: Guildford Cathedral, Stag Hill
Description: Traditional choral evensong service with the Cathedral choir.

Jazz café morning | Fri 9 January, 10.30am–12.30pm (Info/Tickets)

Location: Rose Theatre, Kingston café
Description: Free daytime café-style jazz session with a house band

Simon & Garfunkel tribute evening | Sat 10 January (Info/Tickets)

Location: Ashcroft Theatre, Fairfield Halls, Croydon
Description: Theatre show telling the story of Simon & Garfunkel with live band and visuals. A border-zone night out if you are willing to travel beyond Surrey proper.

Touring stand-up comedy show | Fri 9 January, 7.30pm (Info/Tickets)

Location: Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
Description: Full-length stand-up from Mark Watson’s “Before It Overtakes Us” tour.

Adult panto night | Fri 9 January, 7.30pm (Info/Tickets)

Location: The Back Room at The Star Inn, Guildford
Description: Late-night “adult panto” take on Jack and the Beanstalk Strictly 18+, £21.50.

Cabaret drag night | Fri 9 January, evening (Info/Tickets)

Location: The Fallen Angel, Angel Hotel, Guildford
Description: Cabaret-style drag performance from Carmel Fleur with music, £10 and 18+.

Youth winter showcase | Fri 16 January (Info/Tickets)

Location: Rhoda McGaw Theatre, Woking
Description: Local young performers in song, dance and drama. Family-friendly evening.

Opera on screen – I Puritani | Sun 11 January (Info/Tickets)

Location: Leatherhead Theatre, Leatherhead
Description: Met Opera Live in HD screening of Bellini’s “I Puritani”.

Opera on screen – La Traviata | Thu 15 January (Info/Tickets)

Location: Leatherhead Theatre, Leatherhead
Description: Royal Opera House cinema season screening of Verdi’s “La Traviata”

Conversation evening with Alison Steadman | Sat 24 January (Info/Tickets)

Location: Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre, Walton-on-Thames
Description: In-conversation event with Alison Steadman covering career highlights and anecdotes, with audience Q&A and a relaxed arts-centre feel.

Stand-up club night | Fri 16 January (Info/Tickets)

Location: Dorking Halls, Dorking
Description: Stephen K Amos’s “Now We’re Talking!” full evening of stand-up

Mixed-bill comedy club | Fri 30 January (Info/Tickets)

Location: Epsom Playhouse, Epsom
Description: Regular Comedy Club night with a mixed line-up of stand-ups. Theatre-style seating, interval and typical age guidance of 16+ or 18+ depending on bill.

Kids’ symphonic music workshop | Sun 18 January (Info/Tickets)

Location: Farnham Maltings, Farnham
Description: Introducing children to orchestral instruments with live players,

Traditional village panto | 16–18 & 23–25 January (Info/Tickets)

Location: Haslemere (local theatre)
Description: Haslemere Thespians’ “Aladdin” pantomime, spread across two January weekends, with matinée and evening shows and typical family-friendly panto chaos.

Guided Box Hill hike (10km) | Sun 25 January, 10.30am–2.30pm (Info/Tickets)

Location: Box Hill, near Dorking
Description: Organised 10km guided walk with a National Trust leader, t

Guided dog walk with author | Wed 14 January (Info/Tickets)

Location: Polesden Lacey, Great Bookham
Description: Dog walk at Polesden Lacey hosted by Clare Balding, a group walk

Drawing for Adults workshop | Fri 9 January, 10.30am (Info/Tickets)

Location: The Lightbox, Woking
Description: Structured drawing workshop for adults in The Lightbox’s studio spaces,

Cobbett Society memorial lecture | Fri 9 January, 8pm (Info/Tickets)

Location: Farnham Maltings, Farnham
Description: Annual Cobbett Society lecture on politics, history or public life,

Houseplant January trail | Throughout January (Info/Tickets)

Location: RHS Garden Wisley, near Woking
Description: Month-long focus on houseplants at Wisley with displays, talks and shopping

Music of Queen by Candlelight | Fri 23 January, 7.30pm (Info/Tickets)

Location: Guildford Cathedral, Stag Hill, Guildford
Description: Candlelit concert of Queen songs performed in the cathedral, pitched firmly at adults looking for a big night out without leaving Guildford.

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.

Location: North Street and lower High Street, Guildford
Description: Street market with food, flowers, clothing and household stalls

Click here: To confirm market days and stall mix for Guildford

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.

Location: The Mandolay, Guildford
Description: Festive-style January party night for offices and groups who never quite managed a December date, combining set-menu dinner and DJ in the hotel’s event spaces.
Click here: To see party night details and booking information

Location: Denbies Wine Estate, near Dorking
Description: Structured evening with guided tasting of estate wines followed by a three-course dinner in the gallery, set on a January date and book-ahead only.
Click here: To see event details and booking options

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.

Location: Guildford (covers Guildford and nearby villages)
Description: Gas Safe-registered plumbing and heating firm handling boiler servicing,

Click here: To see contact details, prices and book a visit

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 includes checking whether a Cold Weather Payment has landed, trying to make sense of a tax explainer and wondering whether a sniffle needs a GP or just a chat with the pharmacy, you are in good company. January often feels like a month made entirely of forms, statements and small decisions that only really show up on next year’s bank balance. If you can pair one dull task with something quietly pleasant, whether that is a walk, a coffee or half an hour with a book before the heating clicks off, that might be the real win this week.

Thank for reading. Let’s chat on Monday.

— Prince Khurram