Nikki Ackerley, editor of The Guildford Magazine, enthuses at how the year is shaping up for her hometown...
What a way to start the year!
Guildford has been named best town or city for growth in the UK Vitality Index published by Lambert Smith Hampton. Being ranked number one, it replaces Cambridge as the area with the strongest and most robust local business and investor opportunity for development.
In an economic health check, each area was judged in six categories: most productive, fastest growing, most entrepreneurial, best educated, greenest and most affluent. I know we know it’s a great place to live, but acknowledgements like this make agreeing a master plan for Guildford ever more important if we are to maximise the opportunities to make our town greater still.
Talking of opportunities, there are still a few days in which to visit the Sunday Times Watercolour Exhibition at Guildford House Gallery in the High Street. It’s quite a feather in Guildford’s cap to have this in our town and, while I won’t admit to liking them all, there are some great paintings on view. The exhibition runs until Jan 3, Mon-Sat, 10am-4.45pm.
Something else not to be missed is the wonderful Brian Blessed in the Guildford Shakespeare Company’s King Lear at Holy Trinity Church, also in High Street. Such has been the demand, they’ve extended the run to 29 performances from Jan 7 to Feb 14.
Not only is this Brian’s first time on stage in the iconic role, but it’s also the first time that he and his daughter Rosalind (who plays one of Lear’s three daughters, Goneril) have performed together.
And finally, for forward planners, one day not to be missed is June 27 when Guildford hosts the national event for Armed Forces Day. I rather like to believe that it was Guildford’s organisation in hosting the Olympic Torch and Surrey’s work in the various cycle races that’s proved our ability to host this prestigious event.
‘Ingredients’ of the big day include a special service at the Cathedral, a formal parade in Guildford High Street and a spectacular military show at Stoke Park, followed by ‘picnic and proms’ in the park and an impressive air display above the town.
“I am thrilled that Guildford has been recognised in this way,” said our MP Anne Milton. “It was great to meet the bid team. A big ‘well done’ to all involved in making this happen.”
All in all, 2015 is shaping up to be a memorable year and I look forward to celebrating with you.
Over and Out.
