Good morning, Surrey. Simon here! This is Inspired Surrey, and as the crisp November air settles in, let’s warm things up with the latest updates and a look at what’s going on around Surrey!

In today’s Inspired Surrey:

• London Gem & Mineral Show is this weekend 💎

• Newbie opening this week with a generous sale 🛍️

• West Horsley Place hosting a fantastic artisan fair 🎨

• The Monday Wordle 🧠

Let’s get to it.

The Famous London Gem & Mineral Show Is Back! 💎✨

Mark your calendars for a gem of a weekend!

The London Gem & Mineral Show is back at Sandown Park Racecourse in Esher on Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th November. If you’re a gemstone geek, a fossil fanatic, or love unique jewellery, this is THE event for you!

Expect jaw-dropping showcases of rare minerals, stunning gemstones, and handcrafted jewellery pieces perfect for early Christmas shopping (or a little self-indulgence—we won’t tell).

Dive into the world of gems with live demonstrations, educational talks, and hands-on workshops.

Workshop Line-Up

1. Crystal Geology 101 – £10 (with Emily Coulter - Crystal Case Studies)

2. Introduction to Rocks and Minerals – £20 (with Luisa Hendry)

3. Science of Gem Cutting Pt 1: Optics & Colour – £25

4. Science of Gem Cutting Pt 2: Design & Cut Styles Analysis – £25

5. Delft Clay Casting Workshop – £50 (with Will from Young Silver)

6. Crystal Sound Bath – £15 (with Mary Elizabeth)

7. Crystal Healing – £10 (with Gemma Petherbridge)

And don’t miss the WOW Rocks: Live Cracking Station—it’s as exciting as it sounds! Plus, meet the Opal Whisperers from Discovery's Outback Opal Hunters.

🎟️ Insider Tip: Tickets are selling faster than you can say “amethyst geode,” so pre-book now to secure your spot. Arrive before 9:50 am and you could win a £100 opal—talk about a sparkling start to your day!

Event Details:

• 📅 When: Saturday 23rd (10 am–6 pm) & Sunday 24th (10 am–4:30 pm)

• 📍 Where: Sandown Park Racecourse, Esher, Surrey KT10 9AJ

• 🎟️ Tickets: Grab them here, £10 entry → www.thegemandmineralshow.com/buy-tickets

• 🔗 Follow: @thegemandmineralshow for updates

Newbie’s Guildford Store Opening With Grand Opening Sale! 🛍️👶

We touched on this last week in the digest, but we decided the 15% off sale on grand opening weekend needed us to shout about it, especially with Christmas around the corner!

Newbie is opening its third and final store of the year right in The Friary Shopping Centre on North St. The festivities kick off on Thursday, 21st November at 10:00 am, and they’ve got some fab treats in store for you.

• 🛍️ 15% Off: Enjoy an exclusive discount from Thursday 21st to Sunday 24th November—the perfect excuse to stock up on adorable, sustainable clothing.

• 🎁 Free Goodie Bags: Be one of the first 100 customers to make a purchase and walk away with a little something extra!

Newbie, a Swedish brand founded in 2010, is all about timeless, nostalgic designs for kids (0–8 years) and even matching looks for mums.

With a focus on sustainability, their collections feature organic cotton, RWS-certified wool, and “designed for longevity” pieces that can be passed down through generations.

Plus, their ‘PreLoved’ program lets you recycle your old Newbie clothes for store credit—a win-win for your wallet and the planet!

👉 Location: Unit 35, The Friary Shopping Centre, North St, Guildford, GU1 4YT
⏰ Time: Starting Thursday 21st Nov 2024, 10:00 am (15% off available until Sunday 24th Nov)

Pop in for a browse, a bargain, and maybe even a goodie bag. With Newbie’s soft colour palettes, hand-drawn patterns, and eco-conscious ethos, you’ll fall in love with their pieces—and their mission.

@InspiredSurrey 📸

📸 @surrey_snaps | 📍 Mickleham, Surrey

Tag @InspiredSurrey to get your photos included!

Arts & Artisan Fair at West Horsley Place 🎄🎨

Get ready for a fantastic Christmas shopping experience at the Arts & Artisan Fair, taking place at the stunning West Horsley Place.

Friday, 22nd November to Sunday, 24th November, explore a world of unique gifts created by Surrey's finest artists and artisans.

🎁 What to Expect:

• Beautiful Crafts & Artworks: From ceramics and sculptures to textiles, fashion, and paintings, discover one-of-a-kind creations in curated exhibition spaces:

  • Stone Hall: In My Mind's Eye – A curated collection of paintings and ceramics by local artists.

  • Stone Parlour: Wey Ceramics – Decorative and sculptural ceramics.

  • Drawing Room: Surrey Sculpture Society – Stunning sculptures for every taste.

  • Library: Surrey Craft Collective – Textiles, jewellery, and applied arts.

  • Morning Room: Guildford Art Society – Original works by local members.

  • Stone Kitchen: The Art Shed Surrey – Multi-media designs including jewellery and prints.

• Food & Refreshments: Treat yourself to local delights in the Place Farm Courtyard, including burgers from Fillet & Bean, coffee by Tiger Lily Coffee, and Indian cuisine from Mandira’s Kitchen.

• Live Music: Enjoy festive tunes while you shop.

Did you know your ticket (£10 or £9 early bird) directly supports the preservation of West Horsley Place, a historic estate listed on Historic England’s Heritage At Risk register. Plus, artisans keep every penny they make!

👉 Location: West Horsley Place, Epsom Road, West Horsley, KT24 6AN
⏰ Time: Friday 22nd – Sunday 24th Nov, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Find out more information and get your tickets here.

• Book your tickets in advance (parking is limited).

• Morning and afternoon arrival slots are available, but stay as long as you like!

• Kids under 5? They’re free to enter.

Don’t miss this chance to shop small, support local, and soak in the holiday spirit. 🎄✨

The Monday Wordle: Episode 13 🧠

It’s Monday, so you know what that means, Wordle time!

Let me know how you get on, and if you’d like it included more.. we love your feedback!

Click here to play.

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 🗞️😀

TV star and pantomime legend Christopher Biggins will flick the switch on this year’s Christmas tree lights in Jubilee Square on 21st November: The tree, generously donated by the Woking Asian Business Forum, will shine bright at 6:00 pm, but the festive fun kicks off from 4:45 pm with carol singing, live music, dance performances, and a traditional Christmas market packed with gifts and goodies. Don’t miss this magical event that promises to bring the community together in true holiday spirit! 🎅✨

Surrey dog owners, here’s your chance to turn your best friends into lifesaving heroes: Pet Blood Bank UK is hosting a donor recruitment session in Bletchingley this Sunday, seeking happy, healthy dogs to give blood. Dogs with the rare negative DEA 1 blood type, commonly found in breeds like German shepherds, boxers, and greyhounds, are especially needed, as their donations can help up to four other dogs in emergencies. To donate, dogs must weigh over 25kg, be aged 1–8, and love new experiences. Think your pup has what it takes? Visit the Pet Blood Bank website to register. 🩸🐶

Samuel Denne, a Surrey local with Down's syndrome, has achieved his dream of becoming a paid dance teacher at Synergy Dance Outreach, a charity supporting children and teens with special needs: After his promotion, Samuel shared his hope to inspire others with disabilities to chase their dreams. The charity, which recently received a £45,000 Children in Need grant, continues to expand across Surrey and beyond, offering inclusive classes that boost confidence and social skills. Synergy’s founder, Rachael Hurton, emphasized the importance of creating spaces where everyone feels welcome and celebrated. Way to go, Samuel, what a man! 🩰✨

What’s On This Week 📅

🎅 A Crafty Christmas - Creative Wellbeing
Haslemere Museum, Haslemere, Wednesday 20th, 7:00pm | More info

🍿 Baby Friendly Cinema Club (Elvis)
G Live, Guildford, Thursday 21st, 10:00am | More info

🎁 Christmas Fayre at Combat Stress
Tyrwhitt House, Leatherhead, Wednesday 20th, 4:00pm | More info

🎭 Rebus: A Game Called Malic
Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford, Tuesday 19th-23rd, 2:30pm/7:30pm | More info

🍂 Christmas Willow Wreaths
The Seven Stars, Ripley, Wednesday 20th, 7:00pm | More info

🏠 Curchods Downsizing & Decluttering Event
Oatlands Park Hotel, Weybridge, Tuesday 19th, 10:30am | More info

❔ Quiz Night
Arrack Bar, Dorking, Thursday 21st, 8:00pm | More info

🦸‍♀️ Marvel Quiz Night
The Retreat, Staines, Tuesday 19th, 7:30pm | More info

❤️ Godalming Carers’ Information Fair
Godalming Library, Godalming, Tuesday 19th, 11:00am | More info

Weather

Monday

8° 🌡️ 3° | 🌧️ | I hope this newsletter has started your Monday morning off well, because the weather is going to do it’s best to bring you down again! Cloudy, rainy, overcast, light winds all day, not the start we want!

Tuesday

6° 🌡️ -1° | 🌧️ | Yes, you saw the -1 correctly, it’s going to start getting very cold. With highs of 6, and some rain due in the morning, it’s time to consider gloves, hats and scarves, if you arent already.

Wednesday

5° 🌡️ -1° | ☀️ | It’s going to be cold today, but no rain, and sunny! The sun will make it feel a little warmer than it is, but a nice crisp winter day in store.

Thank you! 👍

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