News in Godalming

Christmas in Godalming will look very different this year, with no big lights switch-on ceremony in the High Street, and the festive market moved to the Burys Field.

The town council has been forced to make the changes to its festive programme as the country still battles the Coronavirus pandemic.

Townsfolk have rallied round the staff of The Red Lion following a fire which ripped through the pub, destroying the staff quarters and kitchen.

An online fundraising page set up by regular Wendy Mansfield to help replace furniture and staff possessions has raised £850 so far - and included a £100 donation from staff at The Star.

If you are looking for something to keep your children occupied over the summer, you might want to consider signing them up for the Surrey Libraries Summer Reading Challenge.

This year, children are being invited to join the Silly Squad, a celebration of funny books, happiness and laughter.

The Prostate Project has recognised Amy Lou's in Godalming as official Ambassadors to the charity.

Colin Stokes MBE presented a plaque and pin badges to Phillip and Ross Collins to mark their ongoing fundraising for the charity.

Bathtubs, rusty tools and broken down sheds are among the items Godalming Town Council workers are planning to clear from The Burys allotments.

The town council has agreed funding to help meet the cost of taking away the junk - and aiding current allotment owners to keep the area clear.

Waverley Borough Council has distanced itself from fake parking tickets that have been stuck to cars across the area.

The authority said this morning: "Please be aware that someone is placing fake tickets around with different street names on it.

"There's a train coming down the track with the end of furlough. We are taking on more people each week than we are losing."

Patrick Andre, Shelly Pritchard, Vicki Connor, Jo Dandridge and Elspeth Woods are the team who have helped feed a town during a crisis - and after.

Godalming Leisure Centre won't reopen until the middle of August, Waverley has admitted.

The delay in reopening is apparently due to financial issues.

Godalming's MP, Jeremy Hunt, has urged townspeople to wear face masks while travelling on public transport, citing figures that show only 75% or people using buses and trains locally are covering up.

But that figure has been disputed by train operator South Western Railway, which says its feedback from across the country shows that 97% of people are observing the new law on face coverings.

Cycling UK, the former Meadrow-based Cyclists Touring Club, has told cycling fans not to panic if they were unable to get onto the government website to grab a £50 bike repair voucher yesterday.

There were reports today of the website crashing within minutes of going live as keen cyclists and those looking to return to the activity tried to sign up to take advantage of the first wave of £50 repairs vouchers going up for grabs.