TOGETHER WITH
Good Morning Surrey,
You know that Monday moment when you’re packing a bag for the school run or the station, and the traffic update is already negotiating with your calendar. That’s Surrey in February, muddy edges, half-term logistics, and one more road with temporary lights.
So we’ve pulled the bits that change the shape of your week, a big planning decision at Wisley, the A281 gas works update, warm places to sit if the heating is doing that thing again, and a couple of routes into independent local cafes. If there’s a warm hub or reliable café we should add next time, hit reply.
In today’s edition
Wisley’s final 200 homes approved, and what’s next for local roads and services
A281 gas leak repairs, and why the disruption may run on
Defence-linked skills funding, plus a Surrey-adjacent recycling play worth clocking
Warm Welcome venues and a few specific local hubs for a friendly, heated hour
Coffee stops across the county, plus a quick scan of higher-paid local roles
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’d really welcome your thoughts on this format and how we can improve The Surrey Digest for you.
News
£80m defence skills package: extra engineering and cyber places
A new £80m package will fund additional student places on defence-linked courses such as engineering, cyber and AI, plus upgrades to university facilities over the next decade.
Universities and colleges in England, including Surrey providers, can bid for funding for the 2026–27 academic year.
If you’ve got a teenager eyeing STEM routes, or you’re retraining mid-career, this is one to keep on your radar as details land.
Wisley new settlement: final 200 homes approved
Guildford planners have approved outline plans for another 200 homes on the former Wisley Airfield, described as the final piece in the wider 2,000-home new settlement.
The plans include around 40% affordable housing, alongside conditions covering roads, schools, health facilities and biodiversity measures.
For nearby villages, it’s another step-change in what “normal” traffic and services look like as the wider site builds out, with knock-on pressure around the A3 and M25.
Click here: To read the full report on the 200-home approval and planning
Click here: To view the planning documents for the new settlement
A281 gas leaks: roadworks drag on between Shalford and Guildford
Source: Wikimedia
If you drive between Shalford and Guildford, you’ve probably already met the temporary lights. Engineers are still tracking and repairing a cluster of gas leaks under the A281, and lane closures look set to run longer than first planned.
Works are sitting on one of the main southern routes into Guildford, so school runs and peak commutes are taking the hit first.
The end date may move again if more leaks are found, so it’s worth checking the latest update before you set off.
Click here: To read the full background on the A281 gas leak works
Click here: To check the latest roadworks map and any revised end dates
Sponsored by HIRE5 Menswear Guildford
5 things to know when hiring your wedding suit
Hiring your wedding suit is not the shortcut some people think it is. Done properly, it is the most sensible way to look like you planned every detail, without spending like you did. The difference is never the label, it is the fit, the finish, and whether the whole look makes sense for your day.
Pick the suit for the wedding you are actually having
Venue and timing matter. A formal ceremony earlier in the day reads differently from an evening reception, and your suit should reflect that, not whatever is trending on your feed.Fit is what makes hire look expensive: Focus on the non negotiables, clean shoulders, neat sleeves, trousers that sit correctly and break properly. If those are right, everything else looks intentional.
Choose colour with the photos in mind: Navy and mid grey work because they flatter most people and photograph well in all seasons. If you go lighter or more fashion forward, make sure it still sits comfortably alongside the rest of the wedding party.
Style with restraint: A good shirt, a well chosen tie or bow tie, and proper shoes will do most of the work. Keep accessories supportive, not noisy, and let the tailoring lead.
Book early, and plan for a second appointment: The best sizes and styles go first, and a final check closer to the date is what prevents the avoidable issues, tight collars, short sleeves, last minute panic.
If you want it handled properly, the team at HIRE5 Menswear in Guildford will talk you through the options and make sure the final fit looks as it should.
Properties of the Week
Source: Right Move
Home A: Under £350k
Price: £240,000 guide price
Address: The Ridge, Woking GU22
Details: 1-bed flat
Parking Not clearly specified
Home B: £350k–£650k
Price: £525,000 guide
Address: Castle Drive, Horley
Details: Semi-detached house / 3 beds / Baths not stated
Parking Type: Garage
Home C: Above £650k
Price: £1,100,000
Address: Tychbourne Drive, Merrow Park, Guildford, Surrey, GU4
Details: Link Detached house, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, EV charging
Parking Type: Driveway parking
Click here: To see the full listing, floorplan and EPC
County Updates
Surrey Heath accounts, ahead of the move to East Surrey Council
Source: Wikipedia
As Surrey Heath Borough Council heads towards being folded into the new East Surrey Council in April, external auditors are still unable to sign off historic accounts, flagging significant questions over past reporting and governance.
The concerns relate to legacy issues that will transfer into the new unitary structure, rather than day-to-day service delivery right now.
It may affect how past decisions are unwound or written off once the new council formally takes over.
Community Digest
Warm Welcome venues across Surrey: one entry point
Surrey County Council has updated its Warm Welcome scheme for 2025/26, pulling together libraries, churches and community centres offering warm spaces, hot drinks and signposting support.
The directory is searchable by area, and many venues now operate year-round rather than only in the coldest months.
Offers vary from a simple warm seat to places that also run advice, children’s activities or food support.
Click here: To find nearby venues and check opening times
Merstham Community Hub: weekday Warm Welcome café
Merstham Community Facility Trust runs regular weekday Warm Welcome café sessions at the community hub, offering free hot drinks and a friendly space alongside its other projects.
The hub also runs a Food Club, Repair Café and a mix of activities for all ages.
It’s set up as a low-key place to drop in, meet neighbours and get informal support if you’re feeling stretched.
Egham Foodbank: Citizens Advice drop-in (16 February)
Citizens Advice Runnymede and Spelthorne is running face-to-face advice sessions at Egham Foodbank, Virginia Lodge, on Monday 16 February, 10:00–12:00.
Short appointments cover issues such as debt, benefits and housing, with no referral needed.
Useful if phone lines feel hard to navigate, or you prefer a brief in-person conversation.
Click here: To confirm the drop-in details and how it works
Events This Week
👨👩👧👦 Family & kids
Monday Storytime | Mon 9 Feb 2026 (Info)
Location: RHS Garden Wisley, Hilltop Library
Description: Librarian-led story sessions (11:00–11:30), included with normal garden admission. A gentle late-morning option if you’re juggling under-5s and coffee.
Price: Included with garden admission (check the listing/the garden site for current entry prices and availability).
Little Seeds Forest School | Mon 9 Feb 2026 (Info/Booking)
Location: Gatton Park, near Reigate
Description: Outdoor early years forest school sessions with morning and afternoon slots. Expect mud, weather and proper outdoor play — dress for all conditions.
Price: Check the booking link for current prices and session availability.
🎸 Music & gigs
Headliners of Tomorrow | Mon 9 Feb 2026 (Tickets)
Location: The Boileroom, Guildford
Description: A new music night showcasing emerging acts on a Monday evening, with an early start around 19:00.
Price: Check the ticket link for current prices and availability.
🎭 Film & theatre
The Choral (12A) | Mon 9 Feb 2026 (Tickets)
Location: Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
Description: Screening of The Choral (12A, starring Ralph Fiennes) as part of the theatre’s film strand. Current listings show limited availability.
Price: Check the theatre site for current bands and availability.
📝 Business & networking
Surrey Property Exchange (monthly meet-up) | Mon 9 Feb 2026 (Tickets)
Location: Holiday Inn, Guildford
Description: Networking from 18:15 with talks from 18:45. This month includes Meera Chindooroy (NRLA) on changes to Renters’ Rights and what they mean in practice.
Price: Check the ticket link for current prices and availability.
🔜 Coming up
Woking Shopmobility 30th Pancake Relay Race | Tue 17 Feb 2026 (Info/Entry)
Location: Jubilee Square, Woking
Description: Lunchtime relay race fundraiser — registration from 11:30, race at noon — easy to fold into a lunch break.
Price: Check the entry link for current fees and how to take part.
🍽️ Eat & Drink
Quick-hit cafés
Krema Coffee House | (Info)
Location: Guildford town centre
Description: Independent speciality coffee with cakes and light food in a calm central spot that’s regularly recommended locally.
Seasons Café & Kitchen (The Lightbox) | (Info)
Location: The Lightbox, Woking (by the canal)
Description: A quieter café option than the nearby shopping-centre chains, easy to pair with a gallery visit for a midweek reset.
Charlie & Ginger | (Info)
Location: Epsom (also has a Leatherhead branch)
Description: Bright, design-led brunch and coffee spot with all-day brunch and speciality coffee — good for a longer catch-up rather than a grab-and-go.
Mullans | (Info)
Location: Camberley town centre
Description: Award-winning brunch place that comes up often in local “best of” lists — handy when you want something more substantial than a pastry.
Higher Ground Kaffe | (Info)
Location: 1 Borelli Yard, Farnham
Description: Independent speciality coffee with a Scandi-leaning feel and a small courtyard that’s ideal when the weather briefly behaves.
Canakin | (Info)
Location: Reigate High Street
Description: Patisserie plus speciality coffee — known for macarons, cinnamon buns and carefully made espresso when you want a “proper treat” stop.
Nostrano Lounge | (Info)
Location: 55 High Street, Staines upon Thames
Description: All-day café-bar with long opening hours, useful for everything from a quick mid-morning coffee to an early evening bite before a train.
🛍️ Markets
Milford Farmers Market | Sun 15 Feb 2026 (Info)
Location: Milford (South West Surrey)
Description: 10:00–13:30, typically featuring local produce, bakes and useful “stock up for the week” bits.
Surbiton Farmers Market (February edition) | Sat 21 Feb 2026 (Info)
Location: Maple Road, Surbiton
Description: 09:00–13:00, with stalls for bread, cheese, hot food and gifts — handy if you’re near the Surrey border.
Farnham Farmers’ Market | Sun 22 Feb 2026 (Info)
Location: Central Car Park, Farnham
Description: 10:00–13:30, fourth Sunday market with local producers and ready-to-eat options.
📒 Directory
Surrey Plumbing Ltd | 24/7 emergency plumbers (Details)
Location: Guildford and Merrow
Description: Rapid call-outs for leaks, burst pipes and urgent plumbing issues.
Spectrum Electrical Services | Electricians (Which Trusted Trader) (Details)
Location: Woking and surrounds
Description: Electrical work ranging from installations and EICRs to EV chargers and smart home setups.
A Williams Heating | Heating and boilers (Gas Safe) (Details)
Location: Epsom (wider Surrey catchment)
Description: Boiler installs (with longer warranties), repairs and smart controls.
iBroke My Gadget | Tech repairs (Details)
Location: 22 Princess Way, Camberley (plus wider service area)
Description: Walk-in repairs for phones, tablets, laptops and games consoles, with coverage into Woking.
And Finally,
If this week feels like a small negotiation between roadworks, half-term plans and the heating dial, you’re not imagining it. Take one useful thing from today’s list, a quieter route, a warm room, a job link, and let it do a bit of the thinking for you.
And if you’ve spotted a warm hub or café worth adding, reply and tell us where.
Thank you for reading. let’s chat on Wednesday.
