Good morning, Farnham. ☀️
Good morning, Farnham. Hope the bank holiday treated you well — whether that meant a long walk, a pub garden, or aggressively avoiding the news for 72 hours.Either way, we're back. And there's a lot to get into
THIS THURSDAY: THE BIGGEST LOCAL VOTE IN 50 YEARS
No getting away from it — Thursday 7 May is a genuinely historic day for Farnham.
Residents head to the polls to elect councillors for the brand new West Surrey unitary authority — a new mega-council replacing both Surrey County Council and Waverley Borough Council when it formally takes over in April 2027. Six seats representing Farnham are up for grabs.
Last week candidates from across the political spectrum packed into St Thomas-on-the-Bourne church for a South Farnham hustings, and St Andrew's Church for a Farnham Central debate. Topics covered everything from road safety to the cost of Woking's £4.5bn debt, affordable housing, and what kind of town centre Farnham wants to be in a decade's time.
Road safety got some of the loudest reactions. Liberal Democrat candidate Ben Bristow captured what a lot of residents feel: "It's like a Grand Prix track around Farnham. I hear it every day."
Whether you're excited about the change or nervous about it, this one matters. The councillors elected on Thursday will set the structure and priorities of West Surrey — affecting everything from bin collections to planning decisions — for years to come.
Polls open 7am–10pm on Thursday 7 May. Results expected Friday 8 May.
Find your polling station at gov.uk/find-your-polling-station.48
UP THE TOWN — 5–1
What a day to be a Farnham Town fan.
On Bank Holiday Monday, the Yellows thrashed Gloucester City 5–1 at a packed Memorial Ground to seal promotion to the National League South — their third successive promotion in as many years. Goals from Darryl Sanders, a hat-trick from Billy Clifford, and Bobby-Joe Taylor completed a stunning afternoon that will take some time to process.
The ground sold out its full 2,300-capacity allocation in just 13 hours after the semi-final whistle. Thirteen hours. The atmosphere it generated clearly did its job.
Three promotions in three seasons. From the Combined Counties League to the National League South. Farnham Town are now playing at Step 2 of non-league football — the highest level in the club's 120-year history. Manager Paul Johnson and everyone at the club deserve enormous credit.
We'll have the full story, reaction and what Step 2 means for the club in Edition 5.
THE WOMAN WHO RAN LONDON AT MIDNIGHT
While most of us were asleep last Saturday night, Kate Townsend was running a marathon.
The 54-year-old Farnham resident set off at one minute past midnight on 26 April and ran the entire London Marathon course — in reverse, from the finish line back to the start — completing it at 5.30am while, as she put it, "most sensible people were still asleep."
She did it to raise money for Brooke, a charity supporting working horses, donkeys and mules around the world — the organisation she works for as an internal communications manager. Rather than simply entering the race, she wanted to do something different for the cause.
Kate runs a trail marathon every month. So this was, for her, a fairly normal weekend. She's now completed 44 marathons in total. Brooke staff in Kenya ran their own marathon at the same time in solidarity.
To sponsor her, search Kate Townsend Brooke Marathon on JustGiving.
Quick Bites
Brian May told no. The Queen guitarist wanted to plant daffodils on Elstead Village Green — just outside Farnham — after 3,000 bulbs he donated to St James' Church bloomed beautifully this spring. Elstead Parish Council rejected the plan on road safety grounds, arguing the 18-inch flower stalks could affect drivers' sight lines. May pointed out the green is normally surrounded by parked cars, including a seven-foot ice cream van. The council says it remains open to alternative locations. Rock on.
Officially one of the hardest runs on earth. Runner's World has named the Farnham Pilgrim Marathon the 10th hardest in the world and 4th hardest in the UK, based on elevation, finishing times and physiological challenge. The route passes five churches, an abbey, two manor houses and some llamas through the Surrey Hills. Next one: Sunday 13 September — farnhampilgrim.org.uk.
A Farnham teenager is heading to the Proms. Luca Boston, 14, won the BBC Young Composer Competition earlier this year and his work has now been selected for the BBC Proms this summer at the Royal College of Music. He beat over 400 entries nationwide with his piece Spectralis.
Extension levy win. MPs Gregory Stafford and Sir Jeremy Hunt secured a government commitment to reform the Community Infrastructure Levy — a charge that's been landing Farnham homeowners with bills of up to £200,000 for extensions. More at gregorystafford.co.uk.
The town is coming into colour. Farnham in Bloom's 12,000 pots are planted and the plug plants are going in. Expect the hanging baskets looking good very soon.
What’s on this week
🎬 Mother's Pride — Wednesday 6 May
Farnham Maltings, Bridge Square · 11am, 3pm & 8pm · Tickets from farnhammaltings.com
A powerful film about the 1988 miners' strike told through the eyes of a mother. The 3pm screening is subtitled. Book ahead — Maltings films sell out.
🗳️ West Surrey Elections — Thursday 7 May
Your local polling station · 7am–10pm · Free
The biggest change to local government in 50 years. Six Farnham seats up for grabs in the new West Surrey unitary authority. Find your polling station at gov.uk/find-your-polling-station. Results expected Friday 8 May.
🚶 Farnham Walking Festival — 9–31 May
Various locations across Farnham and the Surrey Hills · Free
Thirty guided walks over three weeks, from gentle town strolls to 10-mile Surrey Hills hikes. Something for every pace and ability. Full programme and booking at farnham.gov.uk/walkingfestival.
🎨 The Art of Place — Until end of May
New Ashgate Gallery, Waggon Yard · Tue–Sat, 10am–5pm · Free entry
Original prints and works on paper by the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers. Etchings, linocuts, screenprints and more exploring how place shapes memory and belonging. Drop in any time — no booking needed.
👗 Vintage Fashion Fair — Saturday 16 May
Farnham Maltings, Bridge Square · 10am–4pm · £4 entry, under 16s free
Surrey's leading specialist vintage fair. Traders bringing carefully curated collections from the Victorian era through to the 1990s — dresses, menswear, handbags, jewellery, textiles and designer vintage. Cash and card accepted. On-site parking available.
🚣 Marathon Row for Blue Cross — Saturday 16 May
Farnham Leisure Centre, Dogflud Way · From 11am · Free to watch
Local vet Roger Holden, 57, rows 26.2 miles on an indoor rowing machine to raise funds for animal charity Blue Cross. He's aiming to finish in under three and a half hours. Come and cheer him on — or sponsor him by searching Roger Holden Blue Cross on JustGiving.
🎤 Lucy Spraggan live — Saturday 23 May
Farnham Maltings, Bridge Square · 7pm · Tickets at farnhammaltings.com
The singer-songwriter and former X Factor favourite brings her tour to Farnham. Known for her witty, personal storytelling and loyal fanbase. Book ahead — this one will sell.
This week’s fix fact
Last week's answer: Queen Elizabeth I spent a whole summer at Farnham Castle in 1583 hiding from B — an assassination plot. Even royalty needed a bolthole in Surrey. Well done to everyone who got it right.
This week's question:
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
Reply to this email with your answer. The reveal comes next Monday.
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Got a tip, a story, or something Farnham should know about? Reply to this email or drop us a line at [email protected]. We read every one.
See you next Monday. — The Fix
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