Woking’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations start on Thursday 2 June at 9pm with a public beacon lighting ceremony and are set to continue all summer long.

The borough’s varied programme of Platinum Jubilee events includes themed lunches, cream teas, live performances, street parties, church services, and coverage of The Queen’s official celebrations on an outdoor screen in Jubilee Square.

Hundreds of visitors flocked to Jubilee Square on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 May for ‘Wild About Woking’, an event raising awareness about how we can all help care for Woking’s natural life through local biodiversity and green space projects.

Visitors were treated to stalls from organisations including Woking Environment Action, Surrey Bat Group, and Thames Basin Heaths Partnership, providing information and activities about Woking’s natural habitats and wildlife, and how you can help protect it.

The exciting new cycle track at Goldsworth Park was officially opened on Wednesday (25 May 2022) by the Mayor of Woking, Cllr Saj Hussain.

The new hybrid facility, which was completed in April 2022, includes a fully asphalted pump track, a circuit of small mounds to help cyclists generate momentum, an all-weather mountain bike circuit and a grass circuit.

Residents had the chance to comment on the design prior to construction.

Councillor Ann-Marie Barker has been formally elected Leader of Woking Borough Council, as the new Liberal Democrat administration officially took office during last night’s annual meeting of Council (Monday 23 May 2022). 

Following the outcome of the local borough election on Thursday 5 May 2022, the Liberal Democrats gained control of Woking Borough Council with a total of 16 of the 30 seats, compared with eight seats for the Conservatives, three seats for Labour and three seats for the Independents. 

“So, what about the people who will work to deliver on these priorities.

“I will be taking on the partnerships the Council has with external companies. This includes relationships with Amey, Serco, Freedom Leisure, Skanska. It’s really important that we work closely with these organisations and that they are delivering for local people. 

“I am delighted to present to you today the first Liberal Democrat Leader’s speech since 2006. I am very proud to be the first leader of a Liberal Democrat majority administration in Woking this century.

“In this speech I will set out my priorities for the year ahead – financial responsibility, a Masterplan for Woking town centre and achieving carbon neutral. I will highlight the projects and issues we will be tackling. I will introduce the people who will work with me to deliver our programme for change.

Cllr Saj Hussain has been elected Mayor of Woking at the official Mayor-Making ceremony held this evening (Thursday 19 May 2022) in the Council Chamber. 

After three years as Woking’s Deputy Mayor, he is more than ready for the role, which he describes as “a great honour and privilege.” 

Cllr Hussain moved to Woking from Pakistan, aged 11, in 1968. He attended Goldsworth Secondary School and tried out various career paths, including nursing, before becoming subpostmaster at Knaphill Post Office, which he bought with help from his family in 1986.  

TEDxWoking is back this winter and on Thursday 10 November 2022, audiences will enjoy thought-provoking talks about ‘Our Future’.

Potential speakers are now invited to put themselves forward for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to share their ideas and make an impact on the discussions of the day.

Woking Borough Council has announced plans to light a beacon for The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on the evening of Thursday 2 June 2022.

The beacon is one of thousands being lit in the UK and the Commonwealth, and forms part of the official programme announced by Buckingham Palace for the Jubilee Weekend.

The beacon will be lit in Jubilee Square, at the centre of Woking town Centre, and it will be one of over 2,022 lit by charities, communities and faith groups all over the UK.

Exploratory ground surveys underneath the Victoria Arch railway bridge and at locations on the south-side of the bridge (incorporating Guildford Road, Victoria Road and Station Approach) will commence on Monday 6 June 2022 for three weeks.

Julie Fisher, Woking Borough Council’s Chief Executive, said: “During the Queen’s speech, the Government announced that the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill will be brought forward to drive local growth, empowering local leaders to regenerate their areas.

"The Bill will incorporate a number of legislative developments, which includes taking a responsible approach to public finances, whilst reducing local authority debt.

“We recognise that Woking has high levels of debt which comes from borrowing for regeneration and major long-term infrastructure projects.

Surrey Health and Wellbeing Board is inviting you to have your say on pharmacy and chemist services in Surrey. Feedback will be used to develop the draft pharmaceutical needs assessment (PNA).

The consultation seeks to ensure the information presented is accurate and that the conclusions made are appropriate.