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Good Morning Surrey!
By late March, a Surrey hallway can start to look like a sorting office, school letters on the shoe rack, an Easter plan half agreed, someone asking about parking, someone else trying to book an appointment.
So this edition keeps to the useful things, a new GP access target, support worth checking before the break, a housing update in Farnham, and a few Easter plans once the dates, prices and booking details are actually in view.
In todayās edition,
A new GP access target, and what the dentistry update may mean further ahead
A county employment plan launches, and Farnham gets 22 affordable homes
Childcare, holiday activities and support worth checking before the school break
Easter trails, workshops and a chocolate fair over the next fortnight
A small directory of practical local fixes, from repairs to alterations and dry cleaning
Letās take a look.
ā 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
More dentists could join the workforce, though not overnight
The government says changes to registration rules and training capacity could increase the number of dentists able to practise in future years. In Surrey, where NHS dentistry remains a persistent pressure point, this is more about future capacity than immediate relief.
The update says up to 2,400 more overseas-trained dentists could be registered annually from 2028 to 2029.
Up to 1,350 could be joining the register each year by 2028.
It also points to the first sustained expansion of dental school places in nearly two decades.
Useful in the medium term, less so if you are trying to find an NHS appointment this month.
A new GP access target has been set for clinically urgent cases
A new neighbourhood health framework sets out a target for most clinically urgent patients to be seen on the same day by their GP practice team by March 2027. For Surrey patients, it is a clear signal on the direction of travel, even if change will take time locally.
The framework aims for 90% of clinically urgent patients to be seen the same day by March 2027.
The NHS will use 2026/27 to baseline routine access and patient satisfaction.
This is a policy framework rather than an instant change, but it gives a clear direction of travel on access.
Worth watching if your surgery currently feels difficult to get through.
MESSAGE FROM HIRE5 MENSWEAR GUILDFORD
County News
Surrey launches a plan aimed at helping more residents into work
A new countywide employment and skills plan has launched, aimed at residents who want to work but are currently economically inactive. It is the practical sort of council update that can matter quietly and quite directly.
The plan was launched at Redhill JobCentre Plus.
It is aimed at supporting 26,900 economically inactive residents who want to work.
The linked STEP Surrey portal is the practical route for employment and skills support.
Worth bookmarking if you are rethinking work, training or both.
Farnham is getting 22 new affordable homes
Photo by Altaf Shah
Waverley says 22 affordable homes are being delivered at Deer Park on Hale Road, with the first tranche ready now and more due shortly. In a county where housing so often lives in planning papers, this is at least a concrete addition.
Ten family houses are ready now.
Nine flats are due to transfer in April 2026.
Three further houses have been acquired with Ā£799,161 from the Local Authority Housing Fund.
It is a small addition in county terms, but a real one.
Community Digest
Childcare support expands for working families
Source: gov.uk
The government says childcare support continues to widen for working families, with average savings of up to Ā£8,000 per child cited in the latest update. For most households, this is less a headline than a planning job, which is why it sits here.
Hereās what is changing or being reinforced:
The update says eligible families could save up to around Ā£8,000 per child.
It also says 9,000 early years SENCOs will be trained.
This is one to read if you are sorting nursery costs, wraparound care or early years SEND support.
Worth asking your provider what is changing locally, rather than relying on a half-remembered headline.
School holiday activities in Reigate and Banstead
Reigate and Bansteadās R&Be Active programme offers free and low-cost school holiday activities for children aged 6 months to 15 years, with Easter sessions now showing on the linked booking schedule. Handy if you are balancing childcare, budgets and the annual effort to keep the week structured.
Warm spaces and cost-of-living support in Reigate and Banstead
The councilās cost-of-living support page still points readers to community centres in Banstead, Horley and Woodhatch operating as warm spaces on weekdays. It is framed as winter support, but the current listing is still live and useful if you need a quiet place, company or practical help.
Farnham Support Fund and county e-vouchers
Farnhamās Support Fund offers help with urgent essentials, and Surreyās Everyday Essentials e-voucher scheme is currently running until 31 March 2026, or until funds are exhausted. This is one to check promptly rather than assume will still be there next week.
Hereās how it works:
The Farnham Support Fund can provide up to Ā£350 for urgent essentials.
The Surrey e-voucher scheme is operating in monthly windows.
The current county scheme is due to run until 31 March 2026, or until funds run out.
If money is tight, it is worth checking eligibility now rather than later.
Godalming Youth Service
Godalming Youth Service offers open-access provision, Club4 sessions and a free Mobile Youth Service for outlying areas. It is a useful option for families who want something structured, local and straightforward to get into.
Click here: To read full guidance and see current programmes
šļø Events
āØEaster Special Events
Photo by Tanja Tepavac
Easter trail | 21 Marchā14 April 2026 (Info/Tickets)
Location: Polesden Lacey, Great Bookham
Description: An early Easter option for the east side of the county, with bunny ears included and a dairy or vegan/free-from egg at the end. Useful for families wanting to get the holidays under way before the main rush begins.
Easter egg hunt | 21 Marchā12 April 2026 (Info/Tickets)
Location: Claremont Landscape Garden, Esher
Description: Running daily from 10am to 3pm, with last entry at 4pm. A straightforward option for readers after a reliable Easter outing without turning it into a full expedition.
Easter egg hunt | 21 Marchā12 April 2026 (Info/Tickets)
Location: Winkworth Arboretum, Godalming
Description: A west Surrey option running from 10am to 4.30pm, with last entry at 4pm. Suits households after trees, fresh air and a slightly longer wander.
Easter Bunny Trail | 25 Marchā11 April 2026 (Info/Tickets)
Location: Guildford Museum, Guildford
Description: A free trail for ages 4 and over during normal opening hours, with children accompanied by an adult. Useful if you want something lighter on the wallet and easier to fit around the rest of the day.
Easter holidays | 27 Marchā12 April 2026 (Info/Tickets)
Location: Watts Gallery, Compton
Description: The wider Easter programme includes free self-guided family activities, with separate workshops running from 1 to 10 April. A creative alternative if your household has had enough egg hunts for one spring.
Easter egg hunt | 28 Marchā12 April 2026 (Info/Tickets)
Location: Box Hill, Tadworth
Description: A launch-weekend option for readers planning a little further ahead. Best suited to families who do not mind a hillier route.
The Easter Detectives | 28 Marchā12 April 2026 (Info/Tickets)
Location: RHS Garden Wisley, Woking
Description: One of the countyās bigger Easter anchors, running daily from 10am to 5pm. A dependable choice if you want a known quantity and do not mind it being busy.
Easter Eggstravaganza | 28 Marchā12 April 2026 (Info/Tickets)
Location: Bocketts Farm, Fetcham
Description: A full family day out with the Easter Bunny, shepherd sessions, crafts, live shows and more than 500 newborn lambs due. This is the sort of outing that usually rewards booking ahead, snacks and a realistic view of parking.
Easter Egg Trail | 28 March 2026 (Info/Tickets)
Location: Rosebery Park, Epsom
Description: Running from 10am to 2pm, with proceeds supporting Age Concern Epsom & Ewell. A straightforward one-day local option for families wanting something close to home.
š§šØāšØāš§ Family & Kids
Grizwald's Easter Fest | 21 Marchā14 April (Info/Tickets)
Location: Polesden Lacey, Great Bookham
Description: The Easter trail runs daily from 10am to 4pm and starts this weekend, so this is the point to book if you want to get ahead of the school-holiday rush. Trail price is Ā£3.50 on top of normal admission.
šTheatre & Performances
Exaltation! | Sat 21 March (Info/Tickets)
Location: Guildford Cathedral, Guildford
Description: Waverley Singers are due at Guildford Cathedral on Saturday evening, with the cathedral listing a 7pm start. A good option if you want something properly sit-down and resonant this weekend.
š¤Music & Gigs
The Music of Prince | Sun 22 March (Info/Tickets)
Location: Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
Description: A candlelight concert on Sunday evening, listed for 7.30pm in the Main House. The theatre is already flagging it as selling fast, so booking ahead looks sensible.
āØSpecial Events
Art Surrey | 20ā22 March (Info/Tickets)
Location: Sandown Park Racecourse, Esher
Description: A three-day art fair with around 120 artists and roughly 4,000 artworks on show. Friday opens with an evening session before the weekend takes over, which makes it a useful option if you want culture without giving up a whole Saturday. (artsurrey.co.uk)
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.
šļø Markets
Youth Business Showcase Market | Sat 21 March
Location: Guildford High Street, Guildford
Description: One-day market running from 9.30am to 3pm, giving young entrepreneurs aged 7 to 17 a town-centre platform.
Click here: To check the listing and plan your visit.
Farnham Farmersā Market | Sun 22 March
Location: Central Car Park, Farnham
Description: Sunday market running from 10am to 1.30pm, with local produce and a dependable weekend stop in the town centre.
Click here: To check the listing and plan your 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.
š½ļø Eat & Drink
The Drummond at Albury
Location: Albury, Guildford
Description: A polished Surrey pub with a proper dining room, a garden by the stream and seasonal food served daily. A strong pick for a Friday dinner or Sunday lunch if you want countryside atmosphere without making it feel too formal, though booking ahead looks wiser than optimism at this time of year.
Click here: To see sample menus and restaurant information.
The Boathouse Cafe
Location: Millbrook, Guildford
Description: A relaxed riverside cafe serving barista coffee, pastries, snacks and a curated drinks list, open Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm. Best for a quieter daytime coffee or catch-up rather than anything later in the day.
Click here: To see details and sample menus.
Godalming Deli
Location: Angel Court, Godalming
Description: An evening deli offer built around cocktails, wine by the glass and tapas, including Surrey cured meats, chorizo, baked feta and bruschetta. A good Friday option when you want something better than staying in without turning it into a whole production.
Click here: To see details and sample menus.
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.
š Directory
Guildford Airport Transfers
Location: Guildford and surrounding towns
Description: An airport transfer service covering Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton. Useful if you would rather hand over the 4am logistics than start the day in the driveway.
Click here: To see contact details and request a quote.
Surrey Electrical & Security Ltd
Location: Ash Green, near Guildford
Description: A domestic and commercial electrical business offering maintenance and shopfitting across Surrey and nearby counties. One to keep in mind before a small wiring issue turns into a much larger one.
Click here: To see contact details and request a quote.
Trend Dry Cleaners
Location: Guildford and Godalming
Description: A dry cleaning, laundry and tailoring service with Surrey branches, offering same-day cleaning and alterations. Useful when spring events remind you that the smarter end of the wardrobe has been left alone for months.
Click here: To see contact details and request a quote.
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,
On Saturday, Guildford High Street will belong for a few hours to young traders at the Youth Business Showcase. It is the kind of local event that makes a town feel awake again. If you spot a stall, a shortcut or a useful weekend detail we should know about, reply and send it over.
Have a good weekend, Surrey.
Thank for reading. Letās chat on Monday.
