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Surrey Day 2020

1st May 2020

Surrey Day goes ‘virtual’ for 2020 … and Guildford Cathedral turns green! 

A chance to celebrate all the best things about our beautiful county, Surrey Day takes place this Saturday (May 2) – but this year we will be going ‘virtual’.

Following last year’s inaugural celebration, which saw a whole host of events taking place up and down the county, this time everything will be moving online, respecting the conditions of the lockdown. However, that doesn’t mean things will be any less exciting – in fact, if anything, we are upping the ante.

Among the highlights of the day, there will be the chance to take part in virtual tours of our museums, galleries and attractions; well-known names will be revealing what they love best about Surrey; and Guildford Cathedral will be lit up green for the evening, thanks to Peachy Productions, in homage to England’s most densely-wooded county.

“We all felt that it was important to have some positive things for people to focus on, during this difficult period in our history, and so we wanted to continue with Surrey Day as best we can,” says Christine Howard, chair of the county’s tourist board, Visit Surrey, which is hosting the event in conjunction with BBC Radio Surrey and Surrey Life magazine. “While people may not be able to experience Surrey first-hand at the moment, sharing positive stories and images about our beautiful county will provide everyone with some much-needed escapism until they can visit us for real very soon.”

Throughout the day, BBC Radio Surrey will be covering all the action – showcasing the special events you can find online as well as broadcasting their own dedicated programmes – from 6am through to 6pm. Be sure to tune in for their interviews with the High Sheriff of Surrey, Shahid Azeem, and Lord-Lieutenant, Michael More-Molyneux, at 8.10am and 9.25am respectively. This will be followed by a rousing rendition of the cathedral bells. Other events will include a ‘Virtual Stage’, featuring a variety of comedy, poetry and music performances from around the county, and they will also be teaming up with Local Food Britain to host a ‘Flavour of Surrey’ series highlighting the best local foods.

Elsewhere, Surrey Life magazine will be inviting people to share their favourite Surrey views on social media – but focusing on the view from their doorstep, or in their local area, rather than iconic views that require travel. Also, their May edition, on sale now, is dedicated to the people and places that make our county so special (you can pick up a copy without visiting the shops by heading to www.buyamag.co.uk/Surrey).

Last but not least, museums, galleries and attractions will be turning to social media to post inspiring messages, photos and videos, to help lift spirits and remind people what they can look forward to when the county finally re-opens its doors to visitors. And the public will be encouraged to join in, too, and share their own favourite things about Surrey on social media with the hashtag #SurreyDay.