Good Morning Surrey,

Guildford gets a new Saturday fixture this week, with the first Makers Exchange at The Guildford Institute on Ward Street from 9am to 1pm on 10 October. It’s a free community skill-share where local makers will host simple arts and craft activities, with no experience required. You can try something new, swap ideas, bring along an unfinished project, or pass on spare craft materials and tools that have been gathering dust at home.

It’s mainly aimed at adults, although children aged 13+ can join with an adult. Places are limited, so if a relaxed few hours making something and meeting people sounds better than another Saturday spent doing errands, it’s worth booking ahead. Are you open to give it a go? Give us a feedback how did it go if you decide to go.

Now in today’s edition..

Let’s take a look.

— Prince Khurram

Travel around Guildford gets a little more complicated this week. Overnight closures begin on Woking Road tonight, while rail lines through Guildford will close on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 October.

Worth checking both ends of a journey before setting off. Surrey travel plans have been known to acquire extra stages when nobody is looking.

Click here: To check the planned Guildford rail changes and replacement services

Click here: To check the overnight Woking Road closures and affected section

Households on default tariffs moved onto the new winter energy cap on 1 October. The typical direct-debit figure is now £1,723 a year, up 4%, while domestic electricity is temporarily zero-rated for VAT until 31 March 2027.

Click here: To check the current household energy-cap rates and guidance

Most eligible adults have been able to receive their flu vaccination since 1 October, although some groups started earlier. Winter COVID appointments also began on 1 October, with narrower eligibility including people aged 75 and over, older-adult care-home residents and immunosuppressed people. Eligible people do not need to wait for an invitation.

Click here: To check flu vaccination eligibility and how to get vaccinated

The Building Safety Levy came into force on 1 October. Certain building-control applications creating new homes or purpose-built student accommodation bedspaces may now be liable unless an exemption applies.

For Surrey, the practical point is that qualifying new residential schemes now face an additional project cost. It is not the same thing as saying individual house prices will rise by a particular amount.

Click here: To read the levy rules and check which applications are affected

Price: £340,000
Address: Goldsworth Park / Woking / GU21
Details: Mid-terrace house / 666 sq ft / 2 beds / 1 bath
Parking Type: Allocated parking plus garage in nearby block

A two-bedroom freehold home in Goldsworth Park, with one reception room and an EPC rating of C. The listing was added on 2 October and remains presented as for sale.

Click here: To view the full house and plan your showing

Price: £375,000
Address: Cabell Road / Park Barn / Guildford / GU2
Details: Semi-detached house / 906 sq ft / 3 beds / 1 bath
Parking Type: Not stated

A three-bedroom freehold home with two reception rooms, offered chain free. The property needs some updating and modernisation, which may suit buyers happier choosing the kitchen themselves rather than inheriting somebody else’s enthusiasm for beige.

Click here: To view the full house and plan your showing

Price: £700,000
Address: Hillview Crescent / Guildford / GU2
Details: Semi-detached house / 5 beds / 3 baths
Parking Type: Driveway

A five-bedroom home with three reception rooms and three bathrooms, with an EPC rating of C. Both Zoopla and Rightmove agree on the headline details and £700,000 asking price. Tenure is listed only as “Ask agent”, so buyers will want to confirm that before getting too attached to the floorplan.

Click here: To view the full house and plan your showing

A joint planning inquiry concerning land east of Eashing Lane in Godalming opens at 10am on Tuesday 6 October. It is scheduled to run for up to eight days, through 16 October.

Click here: To read the inquiry timetable and find information on following proceedings

Guildford’s scoping consultation for its new Local Plan remains open until Wednesday 14 October. It is the early stage that helps shape what the new plan will need to address.

If you have a view on Guildford’s longer-term planning priorities, there is now just over a week left to put it on record.

Click here: To read the consultation m

aterial and submit a response

Guildford’s ShopMobility accessibility service has reopened, following a soft reopening on 21 September and an official reopening on 2 October. It is a useful local service to have back in operation for people who need additional support getting around the town centre.

Click here: To read about the reopened service and find further information

Surrey County Council has decided not to proceed with the proposed amalgamation of the Merrow infant and junior schools at this stage. Officers will instead investigate moving the infant school onto the junior-school site while retaining two separate schools.

Click here: To read the Surrey County Council decision papers

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Guildford Makers Exchange | 10 October (Info)
Location: The Guildford Institute, Guildford
Description: The first Makers Exchange runs from 9am–1pm, bringing together local makers for practical arts and craft activities, skill-sharing and a chance to swap ideas. Entry is free, but space is limited and advance booking is recommended.

Peter Ricketts – Peace Makers | 9 October (Info/Tickets)
Location: Guildford
Description: Peter Ricketts appears as part of Guildford Book Festival at 6.30pm on Friday. The official festival listing currently shows only a few tickets remaining, so this is one to book sooner rather than leave to the end of the week.

Flavours of Autumn | 7–11 October (Info)
Location: RHS Garden Wisley, Wisley
Description: A five-day autumn food programme running from Wednesday to Sunday, with seasonal produce and food-focused activities around the garden. Normal garden admission applies, so check admission details before planning the trip.

Location: 7–11 High Street, Godalming

Description: A recent addition to Godalming High Street. Its official site is now carrying current trading hours, menus and table booking information, so it is one to investigate if your usual dinner shortlist has begun to feel suspiciously familiar.

Click here: To view the menus, opening hours and book a table

The Pilates Movement (Info/Booking)
Location: 14 St Johns Road, Woking GU21 7SE
Description: The new Woking studio opens on Saturday 19 September, offering bookable Pilates classes and one-to-one training. Its Woking introductory offer is five classes for £60.

Carpets and Floorings (Info/Quote)
Location: Camberley
Description: Carpet and flooring services based in Camberley. Review the available options and obtain a written quotation before ordering.

Epsom Locks (Info/Assistance)
Location: Epsom
Description: Locksmith services advertising 24-hour emergency availability. Confirm response times and charges when calling, preferably before the keys establish a private residence on the other side of the door.

Farnham Dry Cleaners (Info/Contact)
Location: Farnham
Description: Dry-cleaning services for Farnham customers. Check current turnaround times, garment terms and prices before leaving items.

Guildford Plumbing and Heating Ltd (Info/Quote)
Location: Guildford
Description: Plumbing and heating services, with appointment and emergency availability varying by day. Confirm call-out charges and timing before booking.

Levesons (Info/Contact)
Location: Weybridge
Description: A dry-cleaning and laundry service rather than a general domestic-cleaning contractor. Check current services, prices and turnaround times directly.

Remoove Removals Leatherhead (Info/Quote)
Location: Leatherhead
Description: Removal and house-clearance services requiring advance booking. Confirm availability, scope and written pricing before the collection date.

Location: High Street, Guildford

Description: The October farmers’ market runs from 10am to 3pm, with more than 50 producers advertised. The High Street traffic closure is scheduled from 8am to 5pm, useful information if your Tuesday plans involve getting a car through the middle of town.

Click here: To confirm market times and producer information

And Finally,

If Monday’s list now contains trains, school forms, consultations and one market-related road closure, at least everything is written down. That is half the battle with Surrey admin. The other half is remembering which tab you opened the information in.

May your week involve fewer replacement buses than expected and at least one cup of tea consumed while still hot.

Let's catchup on Wednesday.