Month: October 2025

Epsom & Ewell Council 2024/25 Annual Report

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council has published its 2024/25 Annual Report, which is available on the council’s website: Epsom & Ewell Annual Report 2024/25 | Epsom and Ewell Borough Council

The report highlights key achievements over the past year, including:

  • setting a balanced budget for 2025/26
  • allocating £331,966 to Neighbourhood CIL projects following bids from community groups and organisations, and £1,755,000 to three Strategic CIL projects
  • determining over 90% of planning applications within the statutory timeframe, including 100% of all major or larger applications, and introducing a new fast-track planning service
  • receiving a Green Flag Award for Epsom Common Local Nature Reserve for the eighteenth consecutive year; Nonsuch Park also received two South & South East in Bloom awards
  • installing the council’s largest solar panel array to date on the roof of the Rainbow Leisure Centre in Epsom, and hosting an event to mark Suicide Prevention Day in partnership with local charities and organisations.

Image of Jackie King Epsom & Ewell CouncilJackie King, Chief Executive of Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, said:

“I am proud to present Epsom & Ewell Borough Council’s 2024/25 Annual Report which reflects the dedication and impact of our teams on the borough over the last financial year.

As always, our Councillors and workforce of more than 280 officers have provided exceptional service to around 80,000 residents and 3,700 businesses across the borough, despite significant financial challenges.

The report showcases excellent work from teams across the council — from our Waste Services team, who collected 99.9% of the borough’s bins on time in 2024/25, to the Planning Policy team who were recently awarded ‘Best Plan’ at the Royal Town Planning Institute’s South East Awards for Planning Excellence. It highlights the proactive work of our Countryside team, backed by volunteers and partners, in protecting and enriching the borough’s biodiverse and beautiful green spaces.

I am grateful for the hard work and dedication of everyone at Epsom & Ewell Borough Council and I know we are in a good position to meet the challenges ahead.
I look forward to continuing to deliver the council’s new strategic priorities and working towards local government reorganisation – whilst continuing to provide the high-quality services our residents depend upon.”

Guildford Festival of the Arts

The Guildford Festival of the Arts is delighted to announce the success of its inaugural outing, which brought together artists, venues, and audiences from across the community over four days from September 25–28. More than 2,400 visits were recorded across twenty venues with participants enjoying 50 talks, workshops and demonstrations, as well as the festival’s three open-call exhibitions, featuring the work of 100 artists.

Highlights included the festival’s Art Trail with some 300 people taking part, collecting stamps on their festival maps at eleven trail locations in the town centre and discovering a wide range of creative work along the way. Waiting for them at the end was a free drink at either the Star Inn or Britannia pub, courtesy of Shepherd Neame brewers. Another was the transformation of the exterior of the Old Orleans building – a collaboration by 10 street artists led by artist Roo and Guildford Borough Council.

Artist Alexandra Bateman received the Knight Frank Art Prize for her work Cyclist 13, awarded by the festival’s Open Call judges Peter Gordon, Nathalie Beauvillain-Scott, Alex Tommis and Sue Dragon, while Mabel Welvaert was given the George Weil Student Prize for her painting Squint. Artist Ellen Doggett won the public vote for her piece 100 Days of Lockdown and will receive an opportunity to exhibit her work at New House Art Space.

‘I loved being a part of the inaugural Guildford Festival of the Arts. Both as someone holding a pottery class for others to attend and taking part myself by making a pot for the Watt’s Gallery celebration of Mary Watt’s 175th birthday. It was also great to see venues I hadn’t visited before, despite not completing my trail for a free beer!’ – Ysanne Brooks, host of Handbuilding Pottery Workshop at Solar Sisters.

‘I am so grateful for the support shown throughout the festival, from the artists and venues to our sponsors, partners and everyone who joined the trail, workshops and exhibitions. When we first set out, we wanted to shine a light on the creative spaces in Guildford that support the arts all year round. We hoped people would discover somewhere new, try a new craft or activity, and perhaps even find a passion that inspires them to sign up for more workshops in the future. I think it’s safe to say we’ve succeeded.’ – Charlie Cluff, Co-founder and Director of GFOTA

Plans are already in the works for next year with Charlie Cluff and Co-Founder Lauren Gerrard looking to build upon the momentum of this year’s event, further fostering relationships with the festival’s venues, artistic partners and sponsors to showcase the vast richness of Guildford’s creative community.

Arts Alive Arts Festival Now On!

Mole Valley’s Arts Alive festival is underway! Throughout October, Mole Valley is home to 135 artistic and cultural events for people to come and experience. Nearly half of these events will be either free, or under £5 to attend. More good news is that you won’t need to wait until October to get started! Arts Alive kicked off with two big launch events in Dorking and Leatherhead that were free to attend.

You can now browse and book sessions you would like to join via the Arts Alive website here. There are plenty of activities for families as well as evening events, and there’s truly something for everyone whether you’re looking to spectate or perhaps try your hand at something artistic! We want everyone to feel empowered to try something new at Arts Alive this year and find a passion that might grow into an exciting new hobby for years to come! Some interesting highlights for this year include:

      • Come and Sing St John’s Passion at St Martin’s Church with Leith Hill Music Festival – 11 Oct
      • The Magic of Bees – Rituals Workshop with The Wild Bee Company – 25 Oct
      • Come and Try Acro, Ballet, Musical Theatre or Tap with Lisa Allen Dance & Arts (LADA) – 4 Oct
      • A number of fascinating talks and events at the newly renovated Pippbrook House including a wine glass painting class and a talk on the work of Agatha Christie.

Helping to promote this year’s festival is Magic Radio presenter, as well as Surrey local, Jack Pepper! One of the UK’s youngest commissioned composers, national radio broadcaster and featured in HM the King’s “35 under 35” list, Jack can now add “2025 Patron of Arts Alive” to his list of accolades, joining such luminaries as Dame Judi Dench, Lorraine Kelly and Gyles Brandreth.

cllr Nick WrightMVDC’s Cabinet Member for Leisure & Community Assets Cllr Nick Wright said: “It’s great to see Arts Alive return in 2025 with a huge variety of cultural activities for people to experience. Supported by Mole Valley District Council, the Arts Alive Festival committee has worked hard to organise a packed itinerary of events for everyone in Mole Valley to enjoy. Whether you’re building on existing interests, knowledge or skills, or would like to experience something new, I highly encourage you to take a look at the programme online and book yourself a place!”

Arts alive now on