Good morning, Surrey. Simon here! This is Inspired Surrey, landing in your inbox on National Common Courtesy Day! Don’t worry, I’ll be extra polite today… please, thank you, and you’re very welcome for this week’s dose of local goodness. Let’s crack on, shall we? 😊👏

In today’s Inspired Surrey:

• Art Surrey take over Sandown this weekend 🎨

• Charity English Channel swim 🌊

• Fleetwood Mac tribute in Woking 🎶

• What’s on Guide for this weekend 📅

Let’s get to it.

🎨 Art Surrey at Sandown Park – A Weekend of Creativity (and Free Fizz!) 🍾

Got a blank space on your wall and your calendar? Well, good news — Art Surrey is back at Sandown Park Racecourse.

Over 115 incredible artists — many local to Surrey — will be showcasing their work, from bright, bold canvases to intricate sculptures and striking photography.

We’re talking more than 4,000 artworks under one roof. Whether you’re on the hunt for a statement piece for the living room or a quirky print for that awkward bit of wall by the stairs — there’s something here for every taste, every style, and every budget.

🖌️ Prices start around £50 for limited edition prints, perfect if you’re dipping your toes into the art world. Feeling fancy? You’ll also find original pieces upwards of £3,000 if you’re ready to invest in something truly special.

The best part? You get to meet the artists themselves. Hear the stories behind the work, chat about their creative process, or just ask, "How did you even think of that?" — because, honestly, some of the pieces are mind-blowing.

🖼️ When & Where?
📍 Sandown Park Racecourse, Esher
📅 21st – 23rd March 2025

✨ Friday Preview Evening (fancy!)
5pm – 8pm | £10 advance / £15 on the door
🍷 Includes a complimentary glass of fizz (yes, please) and unlimited weekend entry

🎟️ Weekend Entry
Saturday & Sunday, 11am – 5pm
£5 advance / £7.50 on the door

🌟 Kids under 16 go free! Concessions available on the door.

Whether you’re just browsing or hunting for that perfect statement piece, this is the local event to flex your creative side. Plus, there’s a café on-site to fuel your art-spotting with coffee and cake.

👉 Grab your discounted tickets here: Tickets.

See you there — I’ll be the one pretending I know what "mixed media on canvas" means. 🎨✨

@InspiredSurrey 📸

Tucked away near Brockham, Betchworth Castle is a dramatic old ruin perched above the River Mole — now surrounded by Betchworth Park Golf Course.

Once a grand medieval stone house, it was transformed into a family home in the late 1700s by Henry Peters (who lived there with twelve kids — brave man). After his death, the castle changed hands, fell into ruin, and that’s how it stands today — beautifully crumbled, full of history, and perfect for a wander.

📸 @surrey_snaps | 📍 Betchworth Castle, Surrey

Tag @InspiredSurrey to get your photos included!

Godalming Woman Takes on Epic English Channel Swim for Veterans and Local Causes 🌊

Talk about making waves! Helen Jenkins from Godalming is gearing up for one of the toughest challenges out there — swimming the English Channel this July.

That’s 21 miles of icy water, unpredictable tides, and a whole lot of determination. And she’s doing it all to raise money for five charities, including the RAF Benevolent Fund and Surrey’s own Charlie’s Promise, which works to tackle knife crime.

For Helen, this swim is personal. She’s taking on the challenge in memory of her grandfather, William Forth, an RAF flight engineer who was tragically killed during WWII, leaving behind a young family.

Helen’s been training hard for two years — from swim camps in Dover to countless cold-water sessions — all building up to what could be 15+ hours of non-stop swimming. With a success rate of just 60%, it’s no easy feat. But Helen’s determination (and wetsuit) are ready for the challenge.

She’s already raised over £3,000 for her causes, which also include Dementia UK, Young Minds, and Pleasant Valley Camp. Now she’s counting down the days until she can finally touch the sand in France.

Let’s cheer her on, Surrey — this is one incredible local hero making a real splash for some brilliant causes! 💪🏽🏊‍♀️

👉 You can support Helen’s challenge here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/my-5-causes-in-my-solo-swim-of-the-english-channel

Rumours of Fleetwood Mac – Live in Woking 🎶

Wednesday 9th April 2025 | New Victoria Theatre, Woking

If you’ve ever belted out “Go Your Own Way” in the car (or the shower — no judgement), this one’s for you…

The world’s finest tribute to Fleetwood Mac — Rumours of Fleetwood Mac — is back on tour and landing right here in Woking for one night only. And it’s not just us hyping them up… Mick Fleetwood himself has given this show his official seal of approval. 🙌

Expect all the iconic hits — The Chain, Dreams, Rhiannon — performed with all the magic and energy of the real thing. It’s the perfect night out whether you’re a lifelong fan or just vibing with the TikTok kids who discovered Fleetwood Mac in 2020.

📍 Where?
New Victoria Theatre, Woking
The Peacocks Centre, GU21 6GQ

🎟️ When?
Wednesday 9th April 2025 | 7:30pm start
Tickets from £40.70 (plus £3.95 transaction fee)

🍷 Bonus: There’s a bar for pre-show drinks and snacks — because singing along to “Everywhere” is thirsty work.

👉 Get your tickets here: Tickets.

🎤 Warning: You will be humming Fleetwood Mac for days after. You’ve been warned.

We Are Now On Instagram 📸 

If you are on Instagram, please follow @inspiredsurrey if you can. It would be much appreciated. The account was only started recently, so we still barely have any friends/followers, I’d very much appreciate a follow!

Thank you so much to everyone who followed us! You’re the best! 😊

The Digest 🗞️😀

Spring has officially sprung! 🌸 Temperatures soared past 21°C in parts of England, making it the warmest day of the year so far — with Chertsey right here in Surrey hitting a balmy 21.3°C. Wales even recorded its hottest spring equinox on record. After a frosty start, the sunshine brought serious beer garden weather — but don’t pack away the jumpers just yet… cooler, unsettled weather is on the way. 🌞🌷

When Lottie Howard’s beloved miniature poodle, Frankie, fell critically ill, it was the Pet Blood Bank in Bletchingley that gave him a second chance: After a life-saving transfusion, 15-year-old Frankie got eight precious extra months with his family—proof that it’s not just humans who benefit from blood donors. Lottie was so grateful she now volunteers for the charity, helping other pets in need. Honestly, heroes come in all shapes, sizes… and wagging tails 🐶❤️.

Chertsey could soon be welcoming its very first Lidl, as the budget supermarket reveals plans for a shiny new store on Eastworth Road: Promising up to 40 new jobs, a bakery, the legendary middle aisle of wonders, and even EV chargers, it’s set to transform a disused car park into a community hub. Locals are being asked to have their say—because who wouldn’t want Lidl’s pastries and random power tools just a travellator ride away? 🥐🛒

What’s On This Week 📅

East Surrey

🌷 Spring Flower Show
Woldingham Village Hall, Woldingham, Saturday 22nd, 10:45am | More info

🥒 Little Pickles Market
Reigate Park Church, Reigate, Saturday 22nd, 10:00am | More info

👸 The Belfry Fairy Tale Event
Belfry Shopping Centre, Redhill, Saturday 22nd, 10:00am | More info

🎨 Ewell Boutique Craft Fair
Bluegates, Ewell, Sunday 23rd, 10:00am | More info

🕰️ Dorking Halls Antiques Fair
Dorking Halls, Dorking, Sunday 23rd, 9:30am | More info

🌱 Gardening for Beginners
Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall, Ashtead, Saturday 22nd, 9:00am | More info

🌸 Spring Fayre
Wykeham House, Horley, Saturday 22nd, 2:00pm | More info

West Surrey

🎙️ Guildford Record Fair
G Live, Guildford, Saturday 22nd, 9:30am | More info

🛒 Etsy Guildford Spring Market
Tunsgate Quarter, Guildford, Saturday 22nd-23rd, 10:00am | More info

⛸️ Roller Derby Double Header
Guildford Spectrum, Guildford, Sunday 23rd, 1:15pm | More info

🔮 Little Purple Pop Up Psychic Fair
Worplesdon Memorial Hall, Guildford, Sunday 23rd, 11:00am | More info

🚘 George Abbot Car Boot Sale
George Abbot School, Guildford, Sunday 23rd, 9:00am | More info

🌽 Farnham Farmer's’ Market
Central Car Park, Farnham, Sunday 23rd, 10:00am | More info

🏎️ Princess Royal Car Show
The Princess Royal, Farnham, Sunday 23rd, 8:00am | More info

🎼 What’s Love Got To Do With It? Tina Turner Tribute
New Victoria Theatre, Woking, Sunday 23rd, 7:30pm | More info

🎺 Soul Night at The Retreat
The Retreat, Staines, Friday 21st, 7:30pm | More info

Sport

⚽ Football

Saturday 22nd March @ 3:00pm
Wealdstone vs Woking FC

🏉 Rugby

Saturday 2nd March @ 3:00pm
Bishop’s Stortford vs Esher Rugby Club

Weather

Friday

18° 🌡️ 10° | ⛅ | It’s officially Spring! Friday isn’t going to be as glorious as yesterday but we’re on for another nice day. Highs of around 18 degrees, there’s a slight breeze in the air, and rain due late evening, but a lovely day to look forward to.. shut that laptop early and get outside!

Saturday & Sunday

16° 🌡️ 8-9° | 🌦️ | Now, there’s a risk of rain most of the day on Saturday & Sunday, but we’re also being teased with some possible sun in the afternoon, a classic April showers couple of days on the cards, just two weeks early.

Thank you! 👍

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