Victoria Shipp

Surrey Live • 31st October 2023

I miss Guildford’s torch parade so I found out why it mysteriously disappeared

As the pumpkins get packed away, my attention has quickly turned to bonfire night. As a Guildford resident, planning my evening has become immeasurably harder now the town no longer has a torch parade, a staple of my childhood. The event mysteriously disappeared seemingly with little chance of ever coming back. I needed to find out why.

For those who don’t know, Guildford used to celebrate Guy Fawkes with the most beautiful torch parade. Stretching from the Guildhall, down London Road and into

Surrey Live • 10th November 2023

Live Thames Water updates as some roads still without water for six days

A fault at the Thames Water Shalford Treatment Works left thousands of residents and businesses in Guildford, Godalming without water this week. Trapped air remains in the system and this needs to be removed by engineers for a water supply to be returned to the last remaining homes, the company added. Most of the thousands of homes that were affected have now had their water supply restores. Customers in Munstead Heath Road, High Street Bramley, Thorncombe Street and Horsham Road may not have a

Surrey Live • 9th November 2023

Surrey poverty crisis so severe residents suffer trench foot and opioid overdose

Amid Surrey's affluence, a grim reality of poverty exists where destitute residents endure trench foot and opioid overdoses, revealing the harsh daily struggles of the county's most vulnerable.

That's according to a leading charity that does everything it can to help - from finding clothes to exchanging needles. Supporting 50 people a day, Guildford Action, supports Surrey’s “forgotten”. The charity aims to bring them out of isolation and into a more supportive family environment

Despite the n

Surrey Live • 30th October 2023

Guildford station staff 'scared to go to work' as abuse closes footbridge

Guildford station staff have reported threats of being stabbed by members of the public when challenged over tickets leading them 'scared to come to work'.. The extent of abuse has led to the closure of the very popular footbridge over Guildford station.

Starting in December, pedestrians won't be able to use the footbridge for a trial period in an effort to make the station safer, SurreyLive previously reported. From December 4, pedestrians won't be able to use this nifty shortcut that connects

Surrey Live • 24th October 2023

RHS Wisley overrun by supersized snails forcing halt on major project

A huge re-development of RHS Wisley has been put on hold after some supersized snails were discovered. These mega size Molluscs needed to be moved by a dedicated snail team before work could go ahead.

The discovery meant all plans had to be put on hold to protect the species. Roman snails are not only massive but also protected by the Government. Living for up to 20 years, they can get to the same size of a chicken’s egg making them the biggest land snail in Northern Europe. These creatures hav

Surrey Live • 26th September 2023

Surrey town so safe it has been named the best place to retire in the UK

From long walks to cultural hotspots Guildford apparently has what it takes to be the best place to retire in the UK. Retirement Villages, a provider of retirement living options, found that Guildford's mix of relative safety, good public transport and National Trust properties made it the perfect place to be a pensioner.

One of the main attractions of this leafy town was its beautiful surroundings. Located next to the Surrey Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, there are plenty of lon

Surrey Live • 26th September 2023

Surrey 'baby bank' sees 'heartbreaking' 200 families a week needing school coats

From children starting term without school shoes and coats, to requests for Mothers' Day gifts, the founder of a Surrey 'baby bank' has described a marked increase in school children needing the charity's' help - as many as 200 families a week.

Founder of Stripey Stork, based in Reigate, which opened its doors in 10 years ago, called the increase "heartbreaking" and says she is seeing more and more families asking for help for the first time.

Founder and chief executive Nicola Dawes, 49, blame

Surrey Live • 14th September 2023

Takeaway owner could be forced to shut after 23 years

In January Susan was told that her landlord was kicking her, and her takeaway, out of the Merstham spot they have held for 23 years. The Oriental has been serving a range of Asian dishes from Nutfield Road for as long as some can remember, and is very popular. Devastated by the news, the 54 year-old is now fighting back, and petitioning the council to help change the decision.

Susan Wong’s ordeal began when she was given notice that her tenancy was coming to an end, and that her only recourse w

Surrey Live • 1st September 2023

Meet the woman dressing as a poo to create a stink about park toilets

For months Rachel Wood has been trying to get toilets reopened at two parks after they were shut suddenly leaving families in the lurch. While many would simply write to the council the mum of one went a step further and dressed as a poo to force officials into action.

It was October last year when Rachel first asked and Banstead Council why the cafe and the attached toilets were closed in Memorial Park in Redhill. “I tweeted the council to ask why the cafe and toilets in Memorial Park were clo