The Farnham Fix - Monday 11 May 2026

Happy Monday, Farnham.

What a week. A footballing fairytale, an election that rewrites local politics, and a town centre that can't decide whether it's coming or going. Let's get into it.

It's official. Farnham Town have done something that borders on the unbelievable.

On Bank Holiday Monday, in front of 2,200 fans at a sold-out Memorial Ground, the Town hammered Gloucester City 5-1 in the Southern League Premier South play-off final. Billy Clifford scored a hat-trick. That's three successive promotions. Step 5 to Step 2 in three seasons.

The ground sold out in under 13 hours after the semi-final whistle blew. If you weren't there, you probably felt it anyway.

This is now the most successful period in the club's 120-year history, and it isn't even close. Next season, Farnham will be playing in the National League South — just two divisions below the Football League. Season tickets (described as the cheapest in the division) launch this week.

Off the pitch, the club has appointed Kevin Foster as the new Women's team manager, bringing serious pedigree from AFC Wimbledon Women. And on Saturday, the Memorial Ground hosted a celebrity charity match featuring Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Karen Carney OBE, Wayne Bridge and more — raising money for a 3G pitch at More House School. Around 2,700 fans were expected.

Farnham Town FC isn't just on the rise. It's becoming one of the best stories in non-league football.

Farnham voted on Thursday. The Lib Dems won big. But what does any of it actually mean for you?

Here's the short version. On Thursday, residents elected councillors to the brand new West Surrey Council. The Liberal Democrats took 56 of 90 seats — a comfortable majority. The Conservatives won 20, Reform UK 9, and the Farnham Residents party picked up both seats in Farnham North. Turnout hit 60% in parts of the area — remarkable for a council that doesn't technically exist yet.

Because here's the thing most people haven't clocked: nothing changes tomorrow. Or next month. Or even this year.

The new councillors are a "shadow authority." They'll meet for the first time on May 20 to elect a leader, set budgets and plan the handover. But your bins, your planning applications, your potholes — all of that still goes through Waverley Borough Council and Surrey County Council until March 31, 2027.

From April 1, 2027, those councils are gone. West Surrey Council takes over everything: housing, waste, roads, planning, libraries, schools, adult social care, children's services. One council instead of the current patchwork.

So what should Farnham residents actually know?

Your council tax bill won't change yet. The shadow authority will set the first West Surrey budget for 2027/28. That's when any changes hit.

Farnham Town Council stays. Parish and town councils weren't part of the reorganisation. The Town Council is actually looking to acquire local assets — like buildings and green spaces — before the new authority potentially sells them off.

Your current councillors still work for you until March 2027. Contact Waverley or Surrey CC as normal.

The debt question. West Surrey inherits significant debt from Woking and Spelthorne councils. The Government has allocated £500m toward this, but how it affects council tax long-term is still unclear.

The Annual Town Meeting of Electors is on May 20 at The Bush Hotel (doors 5:45pm, starts 6pm). That's your chance to ask questions directly. Call 01252 712667 or email [email protected] to confirm attendance.

We'll keep tracking this as the picture develops. For now: nothing changes until April 2027, your Town Council stays put, and your new councillors have a lot of homework to do.

Farnham's town centre is telling two stories right now, and they couldn't be more different.

Gin & Chocolate, the specialist gift shop on The Borough, is closing its doors after six years. Owners Silvana and Matthew Shaler say roadworks have devastated footfall. Customers who once travelled from Guildford and Windsor have simply stopped coming. The couple previously ran Silvana's Brazilian barbecue in Lion and Lamb Yard, which shut in December. They have no plans to reopen either business.

Meanwhile, over at Brightwells Yard, it's a different picture entirely. Melt Melt — the Alton-born dessert brand that started life in a 1970s Renault van — opens its Farnham store this Saturday (May 16). The Little Gym is bringing movement classes for kids. And Amba House, winner of the centre's "Win A Shop" competition, is launching its first physical premises.

The roadworks won't last forever. Whether the independents can hold on until the diggers leave is the question nobody wants to answer.

A Ukrainian couple who fled war-torn Kharkiv and built a new life in Farnham are days away from having nowhere to live.

Valerii and Nataliia Safronova, both in their late 60s and in poor health, came to Farnham in 2022 through the Homes for Ukraine scheme. They'd been living in retirement accommodation, but the property has been sold and they had to leave.

They're currently in emergency accommodation that runs out this Thursday (May 15).

Waverley Borough Council offered them a maisonette in Haslemere, but their GP said it was unsuitable — it had no accessible bathing facilities and presented a risk of falls. Kate Larmer, founder of the Farnham Homes for Ukraine programme, has been supporting the family and pushing for a solution.

It's a story that speaks to something bigger: what happens to the people our community welcomed when the initial goodwill structures fall away. If you can help or want to get involved, Farnham Homes for Ukraine can be reached through their website at fhfu.org.

🎬 La Bohème (film screening) — Wednesday 13 May Farnham Maltings, Bridge Square · 11am, 3pm & 8pm · Tickets from farnhammaltings.com Puccini's classic love story, reimagined in 21st-century East London. This Olivier Award-winning production by Opera Up Close won Best New Opera in 2011 and it's lost none of its punch. Three screenings to choose from — the evening showing is the one for a proper date night.

🚶 Farnham Walking Festival — Now until 31 May Various locations across Farnham and the Surrey Hills · Free The 11th annual Walking Festival is underway. Thirty-plus guided walks over three weeks, from gentle town centre strolls to 10-mile hikes through the Surrey Hills AONB. Something for every pace and ability. Full programme and booking at farnham.gov.uk/walkingfestival.

🍫 Melt Melt opens at Brightwells Yard — Saturday 16 May Brightwells Yard, East Street · Opening day The Alton-born dessert brand that started life in a 1970s Renault van opens its first permanent Farnham store. Founder Zack Hayter built a following during a residency at The Beach at Brightwells last summer. Expect waffles, crepes, loaded shakes and a queue out the door. Right next to Reel Cinema — dangerous combination.

👗 Vintage Fashion Fair — Saturday 16 May Farnham Maltings, Bridge Square · 10am–4pm · £4 entry, under 16s free Surrey's leading specialist vintage fair returns. Traders bring carefully curated collections from the Victorian era through to the 1990s — dresses, menswear, handbags, jewellery, textiles and designer vintage. Some traders are cash-only, so bring notes. Dogs welcome. On-site parking available.

🎨 Craft Your Year: Stained Glass — Saturday 17 May Gostrey Meadow · 11am–4pm · Free entry Free community workshop as part of the Farnham Town Council and Farnham Community Farm partnership. This edition focuses on stained glass — learn about one of Surrey's endangered crafts and have a go yourself. Family-friendly, drop-in, no booking needed.

🗳️ Annual Town Meeting of Electors — Wednesday 20 May The Bush Hotel, The Borough · Doors 5:45pm, starts 6pm · Free Your chance to ask Farnham Town Council anything directly. With the new West Surrey Council shadow authority meeting the same day, expect questions about what happens next for Farnham. Call 01252 712667 or email [email protected] to confirm attendance.

🎤 Lucy Spraggan — Saturday 23 May Farnham Maltings, Bridge Square · 7pm · Tickets at farnhammaltings.com The singer-songwriter and former X Factor favourite brings her UK tour to Farnham. Known for sharp, witty storytelling and a fiercely loyal fanbase. Her live shows are warm, funny and surprisingly moving. Book ahead — this one will sell.

🎖️ British Art Medal Society Student Exhibition — Until 6 June New Ashgate Gallery, Waggon Yard · Tue–Sat, 10am–5pm · Free entry Now in its 33rd year, this nationally recognised exhibition showcases small two-sided bronze sculptures designed to be held in your hand. Students from leading UK art schools respond to themes of identity, climate and mythology through the ancient lost-wax casting process. A quiet, beautiful show in one of Farnham's best-kept-secret galleries.

Last week we asked: The hymn Rock of Ages was written by Augustus Toplady, who was born on the site of a famous Farnham shop. Which shop?

A) Elphicks B) Smiths C) Boots D) The Woolpack

The answer is A — Elphicks. Augustus Toplady was born in 1740 in a building on West Street that later became the site of Elphicks department store. The hymn went on to become one of the most famous in the English language — translated into dozens of languages and sung at state funerals and royal weddings. Not bad for a lad from Farnham.

This week's question: Farnham was named England's first World Craft Town. But in which year?

A) 2016 B) 2018 C) 2020 D) 2022

Reply with your answer — we'll reveal it next week.

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