The best of the best happening in Surrey & nearby this January. Kick the New Year off right!
Near Kingston
Craft superstore
If you’ve yet to visit the Work and Play Scrapstore, prepare to be wowed. This giant Wandsworth warehouse is a treasure trove of ‘waste’ materials: paper, buttons, textiles, wallpaper, theatrical props, wood, perspex, foam, dried flowers, paint, wool, leather and more. It collects over 60 tonnes of unwanted materials from green-minded businesses each year to deliver to artists, students, families, schools and nurseries. Anyone can become a member (from £35 a year) and take their pick of the mountains of donated goods. Open Tues, Thurs and the first and third Sat of the month. Instagram:@workandplayscrapstore.
See workandplayscrapstore.org.uk.
Paw patrol
Ever dreamt of raising a future hero? If so, then Surrey Police needs you. The force is on the hunt for puppy foster parents to care for its collection of would-be working dogs, which includes spaniels, Labradors and German shepherds. The Police Dog Training School offers plenty of support with foster care required to have the dog from around eight weeks to 15 months.
For an application form, email: kennelattendants@surreypolice.co.uk.
Walk this way
Join one of Claremont Garden’s heritage guides on a one-hour guided tour of the garden. Each month, there’s a different topic: What is a cone? (Jan 14) & How to read a tree in winter (Feb 11). Walks are free, and normal admission is required: nationaltrust.org.uk.
Every Friday morning, The Ramblers have two well-being walks through Bushy Park, a faster-paced 60-minute walk and a gentler 45-minute stroll. Meet at Laurel Gate, Hampton. 10:30-11.30am; ramblers.org.uk.
Wanted… Tenors and basses to help
Kingston Choral Society celebrates its 75th-anniversary concert at Cadogan Hall on March 29, with the chance to sing alongside two of the brightest stars in the British classical soloist galaxy.
Contact KCS at info@kingstonchoralsociety.org.uk or visit kingstonchoralsociety.org.uk.
Learn about Vermeer
Arts Society Weybridge’s monthly Wednesday guest speaker talks resume this month with Johannes Vermeer 1632 – 1675 and the Delft School of Painting on Jan 8, 10.30 am, Whiteley Village Hall, Walton KT12 4EH. The society also arrange visits to local places of interest and trips abroad.
Annual membership is £55, see tasweybridge.org.uk.
Escape to the circus
Cirque du Soleil returns to London with one of the most iconic shows in its 40-year history. Corteo is a unique double-sided production which involves a never-seen-before seating arrangement splitting the Royal Albert Hall in half. Featuring clowns, aerial acts, acrobatics and an array of breathtaking stunts.
Jan 9-March 2, tickets from £50.40; royalalberthall.com.
Writer's competition
It’s time to get your poems and short stories in for the 20th annual Elmbridge Literary Competition. This year's theme is The River, with cash prizes for different categories. Closing date is February 21. The entry fee for adults is £8, and those under 18 are free.
Find out more about rcsherrifftrust.org.uk/elmbridge-literary-competition.
Jenny at the Rose
Comedian Jenny Eclair recounts her journey from drama school debauchery to becoming the first woman to win the Perrier Award. Expect punk poetry, animal impressions and baritone nursery rhyme singing!
Jan 30, 7.30, tickets £27; rosetheatre.org.
Art unleashed
If you’re looking for a new creative activity for 2025, BlueHouse Artspace on Esher High Street has a host of workshops and classes taking place this month, including watercolour, perfume alchemy, life drawing, mixed media art and sketchbook hour, as well as an art social on Jan 30, 6pm with wine and cheese and a chance to meet The Wood Carvers of Esher, visiting from their workshop at Princess Alice, Esher.
See more at bluehouseartspace.com; Instagram: @bluehouse_artspace.
Near Guildford
Go potty
Head to Watts Gallery Artists’ Village in Compton with your little ones for the weekly Sunday morning Clay Club. Get hands-on and messy with clay to wedge, carve, mould, roll, sculpt and create clay masterpieces. Themes change fortnightly, inspired by Watts Gallery’s rich heritage of pottery, current exhibitions and contemporary influence (as well as lots of fun and imagination).
From Jan 12. Tickets: £10 child, member child £9, adult £5; wattsgallery.org.uk.
Who dunnit?
Winter 1934 and an avalanche stops the Orient Express dead in its tracks. An American tycoon lies dead in his compartment, his door locked from the inside. Trapped in the snow with a killer still on board, can the world’s most famous detective, Hercule Poirot, crack the case before the train reaches its final destination? You will have to head to the Yvonne Arnaud to find out...
Murder on the Orient Express, Jan 21-25, 7.30 pm. Tickets: £39; Yvonne-arnaud.co.uk.
Acting out
The award-winning Guildford Shakespeare Company is running a course in adult drama entitled: The Bard’s Not That Hard! Discover the brilliance of Shakespeare in a fun and supportive environment. No experience of Shakespeare or acting necessary and all ages welcome. This term the group will be exploring Shakespeare’s rollercoaster farce The Comedy of Errors, ahead of its production show in July. This is not an acting class but there will be tea and biscuits!
Jan 14 for 10 weeks. Tickets: £170; guildford-shakespeare-company.co.uk
Elvis has entered the building
The newly reopened Dorking Halls will host The King’s Voice – a tribute to Elvis Presley which transports you through time from the ‘68 special to the Vegas era, breathing soul into ballads and those iconic jumpsuit numbers that set the stage on fire. Featuring Gordon Hendricks – and endorsed by Elvis Presley Enterprises – this is the closest you’ll see and hear to The King himself.
Jan 9, 8pm. Tickets: £31.50; dorkinghalls.co.uk.
Strictly star
Dancer Giovanni Pernice takes to the stage at G Live once again with his company of world-class performers for The Last Dance.
Jan 21, 7.30pm. Tickets: from £46.50; trafalgartickets.com.
Best foot forward
The beautiful Buckland Park Lake is the venue for a series of Wellness Walks. Join Tansy on the second Friday of the month for a stroll around the lake, incorporating breathwork and mindfulness to feel grounded, energised and uplifted.
Learn more at tansyinthewild.com.
A stitch in time
Farnham Maltings opens its craft season for 2025 with its Quilter’s Fayre. You can expect a day of fantastic bargains as you stock up on fabrics for your upcoming projects at its annual quilting fabric sale and exhibition. Browse and buy from over 45 exhibitors.
Jan 12, 9.30am-4pm. Tickets: £8 in advance (£5, 18-25 years), £12 on the door after 9.30am, £6 on the door after 1pm (under 18s free); farnhammaltings.com.
Picture perfect
Colourful Conversations, a solo exhibition by Emma Dunbar is coming to the New Ashgate Gallery in Farnham. Known for her vibrant and playful style, Emma captures the essence of everyday life through her use of bold colours and decorative patterns. From landscapes to still life, her paintings celebrate the beauty found in ordinary objects, inspired by daily walks, holidays, and even supermarket trips.
Until March 8, 10am-5pm. Free; newashgate.org.uk.
History in the making
Ewell’s Bourne Hall investigates the Blitz in its first Kids History Club session of the new year. Looking at the devastation inflicted on the borough during the Second World War, this promises to be a very informative event for young fans of the past.
Jan 11, 1pm-2.30pm. Tickets: £6 per child; bournehall.org.
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Brotherly love
Celebrated comedian Ed Byrne returns to the Epsom Playhouse this month with his latest show Tragedy Plus Time. The tour was inspired by Ed’s attempt to come to terms with the death of his beloved brother and focuses on the happy and often funny moments which can be enjoyed even in the darkest days.
Jan 15, 7.30pm. Tickets: £32.50; epsomplayhouse.co.uk.
Baaa-humbug
Shaun the Sheep is continuing his takeover of Winkworth Arboretum. The National Trust has teamed up with Wild In Art, to bring Aardman’s mischievous Shaun the Sheep™ to life with a trail around the arboretum. Come and find 12 super-sized Shaun sculptures, each uniquely designed and decorated by talented artists and inspired by beautiful English landscapes.
Until Jan 19, 10am-4pm. Tickets: £14.30 (adult); £7.20 (child); nationaltrust.org.uk.
