Good Morning Surrey,
Final Monday before Christmas, and Surrey’s back on its favourite triathlon: winter bugs, transport tweaks and last-minute logistics. Below is what’s changing on roads and rail over the festive period, plus a few practical links for staying warm, fed and informed this week.
In Today’s Edition
Free flu jab reminder (and who it’s aimed at)
Waterloo rail changes over the Christmas–New Year window
January roadworks to note now (plus what’s ending today)
Cost-of-living help, warm spaces and local support in Guildford
Panto, Santa shows and castle lights to fill the gaps
Let’s take a look.
— Prince Khurram
p.s. Our Monday Update edition is news-heavy and event-light. Our Wednesday Midweek Brief is a balanced update of news and events, and our Friday Weekender is New-Light and Event and Eat & Drink Heavy. We hope you like this format. We’d love your feedback for how we may improve your very own “The Surrey Digest". - Thank you.
News
Source: South Western Railways
London Waterloo rail upgrades 27 December–4 January
Engineering work around Queenstown Road is set to affect some South Western Railway services into London Waterloo from Saturday 27 December 2025 to Sunday 4 January 2026. If you’re travelling over that window, expect altered timetables and some knock-on changes for Surrey routes.
Work affects the wider Wessex route in and out of Waterloo, including services used by Guildford, Woking, Leatherhead and Dorking passengers.
Replacement buses may operate on some routes at certain times.
Journey planners are the safest bet before you leave home
Free flu jabs urged before Christmas and New Year
Photo by CDC
Surrey County Council is urging anyone eligible for a free flu jab to book in before the festive break, with local health services warning that winter pressures are already building. The reminder is aimed at people most at risk of becoming seriously unwell.
Eligible groups include older people, pregnant women, unpaid carers and those with some long-term health conditions.
Many children are also eligible via school-based programmes or through GPs, depending on age and risk.
Vaccinations are typically available through GP practices and participating community pharmacies.
Harper’s Road, Ash – roadworks scheduled to end 22 December
Openreach works on Harper’s Road in Ash (running from 24 November) are scheduled to finish today, Monday 22 December 2025. If the closure runs to plan, journeys through that stretch should start easing from Tuesday.
Telecoms activity along Harper’s Road with traffic management in place.
Delays have been at peak times, with local diversion routes suggested.
The official notice includes a link to a live roadworks map for any overruns.
Timings can shift. Check before you travel if you’re relying on the route.
A25 Parkway / Spectrum junction traffic signal refurbishment in January
Traffic signals at the A25 Parkway junction by Guildford Spectrum are scheduled for refurbishment from Tuesday 6 January 2026 for around three weeks. The road is expected to remain open, but there will be lane closures and some turning restrictions while work is carried out.
The scheme involves upgrading signals at the A25/Spectrum junction.
The junction is expected to stay open, but delays are likely at peak times.
Dates are subject to change and may overlap with other early-January works.
County Updates
Source: BBC
Surrey County Council 2026/27 draft budget consultation
Surrey County Council has published its draft budget for 2026/27, outlining spending plans and a provisional funding gap of around £21.3m. Residents can give feedback via a consultation running into early January, ahead of decisions next year.
Covers services including social care, highways, education and the environment.
Notes pressures from inflation, service demand and national funding changes.
References the proposed move to East/West unitary councils in April 2027.
The consultation portal sets out priorities and potential council tax impacts.
Community Digest
Source: Guildford Borough Council
Free Christmas Lunch – delivery within 10 miles of Guildford
A free Christmas lunch delivery scheme is listed for Wednesday 24 December 2025, offering meals to people within roughly 10 miles of Guildford who might otherwise be alone or unable to cook.
Surrey Cost of Living Hub – winter 2025/26 refresh
Surrey County Council has refreshed its online Cost of Living Hub for winter 2025/26, bringing together advice on energy, travel, food, debt and wider money support in one place.
Household Support Fund & supermarket vouchers
Surrey’s share of the national Household Support Fund continues through to 31 March 2026, with a £9.3m allocation for households struggling with essentials. Some support is delivered via supermarket vouchers, but the detail varies by district and borough.
Here’s how it broadly works:
Central government provides Household Support Fund money to councils.
County Council allocates funds across the county, including voucher schemes.
Local districts and boroughs administer support with their own criteria and routes.
Awards and amounts aren’t guaranteed and can depend on local demand.
The next E-Voucher scheme application window will open on Monday 5 January at 1pm
The Lighthouse Guildford – high street community hub
The Lighthouse’s hub at 191 High Street, Guildford (GU1 3AW) runs projects including Open House, Men Matter and money courses, and is also recognised as a warm space. It’s a central option for practical support, social connection and volunteering routes.
Guildford Food Bank – weekly requests & money advice
Guildford Food Bank (St Clare’s Church, Cabell Road, GU2 8JW) publishes weekly shopping requests and money advice resources alongside its referral-based support and demand typically rises over the festive period.
Events This Week
👨👩👧👦 Family & Kids
Beauty and the Beast Pantomime | 29 November 2025 – 4 January 2026 (Info/Tickets)
Location: Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
Description: Classic family panto with songs, slapstick and audience participation, running through the holidays. There are shows on Monday 22 December (matinee and evening), so it’s a useful “keep the day moving” option if the kids are already in full festive mode.
Tumble Camp – Christmas Sessions | 22, 23, 24, 29, 30 December 2025 (Info/Tickets)
Location: Guildford Spectrum, Guildford
Description: Half-day tumble/gymnastics-style sessions (9am–1pm) on selected holiday dates. Check the listing for age ranges, pricing, and whether you can book individual days.
🚶♀️✨ Outdoors & Light Trails
Illuminate Guildford | Selected dates including 22 December 2025 (Info/Tickets)
Location: Guildford Castle, Guildford
Description: Evening light trail around the Castle grounds with timed entry slots. Expect illuminated pathways and seasonal installations; check the organiser page for Monday 22 December timings and availability.
🛍️ Markets
Winchester Christmas Market Day Trip | 22 December 2025
Location: Departure from Guildford (Friends International Guildford)
Description: One-day coach trip to Winchester’s Christmas market, with time to explore the stalls, cathedral and city before returning in the evening. Check what’s included (and the latest price) before booking.
🍽️ Eat & Drink
Location: Silent Pool Distillers, Albury
Description: Festive-themed distillery tour between Christmas and New Year, with behind-the-scenes access and tastings. Guide prices mentioned are in the mid-£20s to around £30 per person; check the live page for the exact cost and what’s included for your chosen date.
💼 Local Jobs
Rehabilitation Assistant – Phyllis Tuckwell
Location: Guildford & Farnham
Description: Palliative care Rehabilitation Assistant role (37.5 hours per week) across Guildford and Farnham. Salary is listed at £28,032; use the listing for the definitive closing date and full role details.
Estate Inspector – Guildford Borough Council
Location: Guildford
Description: Housing Estate Inspector role based at Millmead House, focused on council housing stock and neighbourhood standards. Salary is listed at £32,792–£36,699, with a closing date currently set for Friday 2 January 2026 at 23:59.
Click here: To find the role details and apply online
Location: Guildford
Description: Assistant Store Manager role at Lakeland’s Guildford store (around 37 hours per week). Pay is listed at £13.57 per hour; there’s no fixed closing date shown, so it’s worth moving promptly if it fits.
📒 Directory
Surrey Plumbing Ltd – 24/7 emergency plumbers
Location: Guildford and surrounding areas
Description: Local plumbing firm offering 24/7 emergency call-outs alongside general plumbing work, from leaks and burst pipes to routine repairs — useful to have saved before the festive period tests your heating and hot water.
Premier Heating – boiler & heating specialists
Location: Guildford and wider Surrey
Description: Long-established heating company (since the 1960s) focusing on boiler installation, servicing and repairs, with a particular emphasis on Worcester Bosch systems. One for the “it’ll be fine” boiler that suddenly isn’t.
Connect2Mobile – phone, tablet & laptop repairs
Location: 81B High Street (Swan Lane), Guildford, GU1 3DY
Description: Central Guildford repair shop handling phones, tablets and computers from smashed screens to battery and software issues. Handy if a festive mishap involves your main device meeting a hard floor.
iDoctor4U – Apple repair specialists
Location: 113 Walnut Tree Close, Guildford, GU1 4UQ
Description: Apple-focused repairs for iPhones, iPads and Macs, offering free diagnostics, weekday and Saturday opening, and a warranty on work.
Johnsons Cleaners
Location: Waitrose, Guildford (Haydon Place)
Description: Drop-off and collection point inside Waitrose Guildford for dry cleaning and laundry services — useful if you want to combine errands rather than schedule another separate trip.
And Finally,
Swingbridge’s Santa river cruises on the Wey wrapped up over the weekend, bringing the festive boats to a close for another year. If you missed it, consider this your annual reminder: the combination of Santa, a boat and Surrey families tends to sell out well before anyone’s wrapped the first present.
— Prince Khurram