Happy New Year’s Eve!

The "New Year buzz" is here, somewhere between a champagne toast and a final "to-do" list. As we wrap up 2025, the vibe feels quietly positive.

Next time we speak, we’ll be in 2026! I’m genuinely optimistic it’s going to be a stellar year for our local businesses, families, and our wonderful community.

This was the year AI stopped being "interesting" and started being "useful". Given how fast things move, we want to be your secret weapon in navigating what comes next. Should we add a permanent weekly AI mini-section to the newsletter? 👉 If that’s a "yes," just hit reply with the word "YES.

If you’re heading to the London fireworks tonight, I hope you have a spectacular (and warm!) time. If you’re attempting the river walk without a ticket, godspeed and good luck!

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.}

Ofgem has set the Q1 2026 energy price cap for a typical dual fuel direct debit household at around £1,758 a year — roughly 0.2% higher than the previous quarter (about 28p a month on the illustrative figure). For Surrey households on standard variable tariffs, it’s a small change but still worth doing the boring bits before the new period starts.

Here is what it means for you:

Click here: To read the full Ofgem announcement and see how the cap is calculated

Engineering work around London Waterloo and Clapham Junction is affecting South Western Railway services across the Christmas/New Year period, including lines through Woking and Guildford. Some routes have amended timetables and rail replacement buses, with disruption stretching roughly 24 December to 4 January (varies by line).

Click here: To check dates, journey planners and any replacement buses for your route

If you have a son entering his final months of school, "Prom" is likely a distant blip on the horizon, somewhere between the 2026 mocks and the summer exams. Most families treat suit shopping as a task for May, yet a walk past the independent tailors in Guildford tells a different story. The window for getting this milestone right is shifting much earlier than the school calendar suggests.

Here is the case for the early fitting:

Ultimately, Prom is about the photos that stay on the mantelpiece for a decade. Making sure they show a young man who feels comfortable and correctly fitted isn't about being "extra" - it’s just good planning.

If you’re looking to navigate the options without the typical high-street rush, a conversation with the team at HIRE5 is a sensible place to start the year.

Click here: to view the 2026 Prom Collection at HIRE5 Guildford

Brooklands in Weybridge opened in 1907 as the world’s first purpose-built motor racing circuit, then closed to racing in 1939. Today, surviving banking and buildings sit among offices, retail and museum sites and the remaining track is still protected heritage with ongoing conservation.

If Brooklands means something to you, reply with your story. we may feature it in a future edition.

Click here: To read how the racing circuit is being safeguarded for the future

Surrey Heartlands is reminding residents to use A&E for life-threatening emergencies, and to use NHS 111, pharmacies and GP services for less urgent needs — alongside the usual advice to check on vulnerable neighbours during cold snaps.

Click here: To read the full urgent care advice for Surrey residents

Surrey Wildlife Trust’s latest update highlights hands-on conservation volunteering across its reserves, the kind of work parties where “fresh air” is not a euphemism, and you’ll usually go home with muddy boots and a clear conscience.

Click here: To read the update and find a local work party

The Ashley Centre has confirmed Primark is due to open in Epsom in spring 2026, taking a large anchor unit. Expect the usual knock-ons: footfall up, plus the practical question of how car parks feel on a Saturday once it lands.

Click here: To read the local report on the new store and timeline

Woking Foodbank has a special timetable across Christmas and New Year, with distribution sessions around 30–31 December and limited sessions in early January before normal hours resume. If you’re signposting someone, checking the timetable before they travel is the important bit.

Click here: To see the Christmas timetable and how to access support

Glow light trail at Wisley | Evenings to Sun 04/01/2026 (Info/Tickets)

Location: RHS Garden Wisley, Wisley
Description: Evening light trail with timed entry slots. Final dates into early January can be busy, and parking arrangements may differ from daytime visits.

New Year’s Eve club night | Wed 31/12/2025, 5pm to 4am (Tickets and details)

Location: Y Club, Guildford
Description: LOST New Year’s Eve runs from early evening into the small hours. Over-18s only, and pricing varies by ticket tier — worth checking what’s still available before you commit.

Gatsby style New Year’s Eve ball | Wed 31/12/2025, 7pm to 1am (Event info)

Location: Lythe Hill (near Haslemere)
Description: A themed evening with meal, DJ and extras (casino tables/photobooth). Overnight packages are reported as sold out, so check what’s actually still bookable.

Local New Year’s Eve pub party | Wed 31/12/2025, 7pm to 1am (Event details)

Location: The Princess Royal, Farnham
Description: DJ and buffet for New Year’s Eve. Pricing isn’t listed publicly, so expect a quick check before you go.

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.

Candlelit rock tributes | Fri 23 and Sat 24 January 2026 (Info and tickets)

Location: Guildford Cathedral, Guildford
Description: Two candlelit tribute nights in the nave — one themed around Queen (Fri) and one around Fleetwood Mac (Sat). Booking ahead is sensible if you’re planning a January night out.

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: Hollyhedge Road, Cobham
Description: Food, drink and craft stalls in a combined farmers/artisans format. Typically runs late morning into early afternoon.

Click here: To confirm timings and the latest details

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: Mandira’s Kitchen (barn kitchen)

Description: A 90-minute biriyani workshop (Price: £40 per person) with a kit to take home. Designed as a relaxed session rather than a formal course.

Click here: To see what’s included and book a place

Surrey Wine School: January tastings (sold out)

Location: Surrey Wine School (see organiser page for venues)
Description: January red and sparkling wine evenings, plus an end-of-Dry-January lunch, are currently marked as sold out — a useful reminder that the popular sessions go early.

Click here: To browse future dates and join waiting lists where available

Dorking Brewery tours (Saturdays)

Location: Dorking Brewery, Capel
Description: Saturday tours covering the brewing process, tastings and time in the taproom. Timings can vary, so booking ahead is the safer approach.

Click here: To check upcoming dates, prices and taproom opening hours

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.

Children’s Residential Worker – Surrey County Council

Location: Surrey (various sites)
Description: Ongoing recruitment for children’s residential worker roles in learning disability settings. Listings open and close quickly, so the central vacancy page is the best place to start.

Click here: To search current roles and read the full job descriptions

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.

Bailey Plumbing and Heating

Location: Guildford area
Description: Boiler servicing, repairs and general plumbing work, with Gas Safe registration and typical out-of-hours support.

Click here: To check services, coverage area and contact details

PC Repairs Woking

Location: Woking
Description: Computer and phone repair service handling common hardware faults, software issues and data/virus problems for home users and small businesses.

Click here: To see repair options, opening hours and how to book

Sew n Sew (alterations and repairs)

Location: Epsom
Description: Clothing alterations and repairs including hems, zips and tailoring adjustments — useful for fixing what you already own rather than starting again from scratch.

Click here: To view services offered and how to arrange a fitting

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 you’re heading out tonight, leave a few extra minutes for rail replacement buses, frosty pavements and the annual mystery of “where did all the taxis go?”. And if you’re staying in, you can enjoy the quieter version of New Year’s Eve - the one where you don’t have to queue for a coat you didn’t bring.

Thank for reading. See you on in the New Year.

— Prince Khurram