🌳 Great Gatsby Ball, Artisan Market, Top 50 Fish'n'Chip Shop & More | 7th February

Good morning, Surrey. Simon here! This is Inspired Surrey.

Yesterday was lovely weather, wasn’t it —cold, yes, but with a bit of sunshine, it felt like spring wasn’t too far off. The days are slowly getting longer, and before we know it, we’ll be swapping coats for something lighter (hopefully). Until then, here’s what’s happening around town.

In today’s Inspired Surrey:

• Tickets for the Great Gatsby Ball are on sale 🧔

• Surrey Hills artisan market here this weekend 🌽

• Romesh Ranganathan serving up treats in Dorking 🤣

• Oysters hits the top 50 Fish and Chip shop in Surrey 🍟

• What’s on Guide for this week 📅

Let’s get to it.

The Roaring Twenties Are Calling! The Great Gatsby Ball at Guildford Cathedral 🎩🥂

Surrey, are you ready for a night of decadence, jazz, and pure Gatsby-style glamour? 

On Saturday, November 8, (I know, it feels like ages away!) Guildford Cathedral will be transformed into a dazzling 1920s speakeasy, bringing the Golden Age of Jazz to life with an unforgettable evening of music, dance, and old-school charm.

Why am I telling you about this now? Because it WILL sell out.

Picture yourself walking through the grand doors of the cathedral, stepping onto a scene straight out of The Great Gatsby, where champagne flows, the music swings, and the night is filled with endless excitement - how great does that sound!

Here’s what’s in store:

🎺 Live Swing Band – Get ready to dance the night away to classic jazz and modern hits with a vintage twist. The infectious rhythm will have you tapping your feet in no time!

🎭 Cabaret Performers – Be mesmerized by dazzling cabaret acts that bring the magic and mystery of the 1920s to life.

📸 Gatsby-Style Photo Ops – Dress to impress in your finest flapper dresses, pearls, and tuxedos, and capture the moment against the stunning backdrop of Guildford Cathedral.

🎶 Gatsby DJ & Host – A specially curated selection of jazz, swing, and electro-swing beats to keep the party alive.

🍸 Speakeasy Cocktails & Vintage Elegance – Enjoy classic 1920s-inspired drinks that will transport you straight back to the prohibition era.

🏛 A Stunning Setting – Guildford Cathedral, with its grand architecture and dramatic lighting, will provide a breathtaking backdrop for this night of luxury and celebration.

Tickets & Details

📍 Where? Guildford Cathedral, Stag Hill, GU2 7UP
🕰 When? Saturday, November 8 | 4:45 PM & 8:45 PM
🎟 Who can attend? Strictly 18+ (ID may be required upon entry)
🎩 Dress Code? Think Gatsby: flapper dresses, tuxedos, pearls, and vintage glam. Go all out—this is the night to shine!

👉 Get Your Tickets Here

FAQ & More Info:

• Refunds available up to 7 days before the event.

• If you can’t make it, you can resell or transfer your ticket.

• Accessibility: Limited seating available for those who need it. If you require assistance, contact [email protected].

💫 This is your chance to relive the glamour of the Roaring Twenties, dance under the cathedral’s grand ceilings, and party like Gatsby himself. Will you answer the call?

📢 Tag a friend who needs to experience this with you! 🖤✨

@InspiredSurrey 📸

Once a bustling hub of industry, Newdigate Brickworks tells a story of craftsmanship, war, and nature’s quiet resilience.

Closed during WWII, the site fell into disrepair, with only a handful of handmade bricks produced until its final closure in 1974. Left abandoned for years, it has since taken on a new life—part transformed into a housing development, the rest reclaimed by the wild as a serene nature reserve.

Wander through its paths and you’ll find traces of the past woven into the landscape, where history meets the untamed beauty of Surrey’s countryside. A true hidden gem for explorers and history lovers alike! 🌿🏚️

📸 @surrey_snaps | 📍 Newdigate Brickworks, Surrey

Tag @InspiredSurrey to get your photos included!

Surrey Hills Artisan Market – A Creative & Culinary Wonderland Awaits! 🎨🍷

I know you lot love a market, and the first Surrey Hills Artisan Market of the year is happening on Sunday, February 9, at the fantastic Denbies Wine Estate.

If you’re on the hunt for a unique Mother’s Day gift, a birthday treat, or a one-of-a-kind piece for your home, this market is the place to be. Expect a plethora of artistry, craftsmanship, and delicious local flavors, all in one indoor space!

What’s in Store?

🖌️ Meet Local Artisans – Discover the stories behind their beautiful handmade crafts and art.
🍫 Foodie Heaven – Indulge in locally produced treats, from handmade chocolates to artisan bread and cheeses.
🍷 Surrey’s Finest Drinks – Sample and take home locally made wine, gin, and non-alcoholic beverages.
🛍️ Shop Handmade & Unique – Browse a treasure trove of arts, crafts, and home décor made with love.
🌿 A Day at Denbies – Why not make an outing of it? Enjoy a vineyard tour, a leisurely stroll, or a cream tea while you’re there!

Market Details

📅 When? Sunday, February 9 | 10 AM – 4 PM
📍 Where? Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking
🎟 Entry? FREE – plus plenty of free parking on-site!

It’s a perfect Sunday out, and it’s not raining!

If you’d like some more info, you can find everything you’ll need, here!

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! 😊

Romesh Ranganathan swapped the stage for the bakery counter this week, serving up laughs and vegan treats at Coughlans Bakery in Dorking!

Crowds lined up along High Street to meet the comic, who was absolutely buzzing to see his Ranga Yum Yum become a permanent menu fixture.

The comedian-turned-baker, now a co-owner of the chain, joked that the turnout was "better than his tour show"—though we doubt he’ll be quitting comedy for a career in pastry just yet.

With 10p from every Yum Yum going to suicide prevention charity CALM, this sweet treat is making an impact in more ways than one. 🍩😂

The Digest 🗞️😀

After months of delays and construction chaos, Chester Bridge in Ash Road is finally opening this Saturday: Originally set to debut in November, the bridge will initially welcome cars and buses, with lorries following suit once the final nine weeks of work wrap up. The new crossing over the railway aims to slash congestion caused by the level crossing—something local drivers will no doubt be thrilled about. Named by public vote, the bridge gives a nod to the Chester Arms pub and the Chester family of Poyle Park. While roadworks will continue, Councillor Tom Hunt assured residents that everything is on budget—a rare win for a construction project! 🚗🚦

Guildford drivers, beware! Fake QR codes are back! Scammers have once again been caught posting bogus QR codes in local car parks, attempting to trick people into handing over their card details. When scanned, these codes redirect users to fake payment websites, mimicking genuine providers. The catch? Guildford car parks don’t even use QR codes for payment! Councillor Catherine Houston is urging anyone who spots these dodgy stickers to report them immediately. Stay sharp, and when in doubt—pay the old-fashioned way! 🕵️‍♂️📵

Big news for Surrey’s fish and chip lovers—Oysters, the beloved chippy on Guildford Road, has been named one of the top 50 in the UK by Fry Magazine: Owner Gav Singh, who’s been at the helm for 14 years, said he was “super chuffed” by the award, calling it a huge achievement in an industry facing rising costs. The shop scored an impressive 96% after a mystery shopper review, ranking it as the best in Surrey. If you needed an excuse for a chippy tea, this is it—support your local legends! 🍽️🎉

What’s On This Week 📅

East Surrey

🎭 Epsom Playhouse Simon Garfunkel
Epsom Playhouse, Epsom, Friday 7th, 7:30pm | More info

🛠️ Caterham Repair Cafe
The Westway, Community Centre, Caterham, Saturday 8th, 10:30am | More info

✂️ Metropolis Epsom Grand Opening
1 Epsom Square, Epsom, Saturday 8th, 4:00pm | More info

👩‍🎨 Kath Macdiarmid Exhibition
The Horton Epsom, Saturday 8th, 1:00pm | More info

🧴 Fragrance Design Experience
Betchworth Park Golf Club, Dorking, Saturday 8th, 11:00am | More info

🤱 Banstead mum2mum Market
Banstead Community Hall, Banstead, Saturday 8th, 10:00am | More info

☕ Coffee Morning
Bookham Barn Hall, Leatherhead, Saturday 8th, 10:00am | More info

🍏 Apple Pruning Workshop
Leigh, Reigate, Saturday 8th, 10:00am | More info

🥒 Little Pickles Market
Merstham Park School, Redhill, Sunday 9th, 10:00am | More info

West Surrey

🤣 Rachel Fairburn: Side Eye
G Live, Guildford, Friday 7th, 7:30pm | More info

📿 Geometric Pendant Class
Alice Holt Forest, Farnham, Friday 7th, 10:00am | More info

🎟️ The Chicago Blues Brothers
New Victoria Theatre, Woking, Friday 7th, 7:30pm | More info

🎼 The Tannahill Weavers
Grayshot Village Hall, Grayshott, Saturday 8th, 7:30pm | More info

🌳 Tree Giveaway
Bramley Library, Guildford, Saturday 8th, 9:30am | More info

🏷️ Winter Markets 4 Parents Sale
Normandy Village Hall, Guildford, Saturday 8th, 10:00am | More info

🔮 The Little Purple Psychic & Holistic Fair
Shere Hall, Shere, Guildford, Sunday 9th, 11:00am | More info

🐼 Chinese New Year
Woking Town Centre, Woking, Saturday 8th, 10:00am | More info

👚 February Warehouse Clothes Sales
The Lansbury Estate, Knaphill, Saturday 8th, 9:30am | More info

🛠️ Farnham Repair Cafe
Spire Church, Farnham, Saturday 8th, 10:00am | More info

Weather

Friday

5° 🌡️ 3° | 🌧️ | A very wet Friday in store for us all today, light rain is due almost all day, it’s likely already raining as you read this!

Saturday

7° 🌡️ 4° | 🌧️ | More of the same on Saturday, but there’s a chance it calms down in the afternoon. It’s not as windy as Friday, but a very wet start to the weekend.

Sunday

8° 🌡️ 3° | 🌧️ | Sunday’s looking a lot better, with sunny intervals throughout the day and no rain due. Sunday’s the day to get out of the house and enjoy whats left of the weekend!

Sport

⚽ Football

Saturday 8th February @ 3:00pm
York City vs Woking FC

🏒 Ice Hockey

Sunday 9th February @ 6:00pm | Guildford Spectrum | Tickets
Guildford Flames vs Cardiff Devils

🏉 Rugby

Saturday 8th February @ 3:00pm
Darlington Mowden Park vs Esher Rugby Club

Thank you! 👍

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