Archives 2021

  1. Painting of the town council office

    A Christmas message from the Mayor of Farnham

    Seasons greetings.  As we approach the end of 2021, Christmas will be a time of sadness for many but also of hope.  None of us expected that we would again be facing further restrictions on meeting up with families and friends and the sadness o...

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  2. Father Christmas handing a gift to a young girl

    Shoppers flock to Christmas market

    Christmas shoppers flocked in their droves to Farnham’s Christmas Market on Sunday (12 December) in search of unusual and handmade gifts, stocking fillers and locally sourced products. As well as over 130 stalls, residents and visitors enjoyed the ...

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  3. Congregation inside a church

    Mayor thanks Farnham community at Civic Christmas Service

    The sound of traditional Christmas carols rang out from St Andrew’s Church at Farnham’s Civic Christmas Carol Service (on Wednesday evening, 1 December). The internationally renowned Farnham Youth Choir performed a selection of Christmas music, w...

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  4. Female presents a gift to a couple.

    Farnham wishes farmers’ market stalwarts a fond farewell

    A popular husband and wife team who are among the longest standing traders at Farnham Farmers’ Market have hung up their aprons and put away their butcher’s block for the last time, as they head into retirement after serving their final customers...

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  5. Apple stall at the farmers' market

    Many happy returns for Farnham Farmers’ Market

    A lucky shopper who visited the Farnham Farmers’ Market at the end of November went home with a few more goodies than she bargained for.  Sarah Lord from Farnham won a hamper filled with local produce donated by nearly a dozen stallholders....

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  6. Farnham literary festival logo 2022

    Farnham Fiction Award: New competition as part of Inaugural Literary Festival

    A new competition to find the novelists and writers of tomorrow has been launched as part Farnham’s Literary Festival. The Farnham Fiction Award will accept entries of up to 3,000 words from adult writers between now and 5 January. The competition,...

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  7. Female with a bag of fudge.

    Christmas Market returns to Farnham

    Farnham’s Christmas Market is due to make a welcome return this year on Sunday 12 December alongside the Farmers’ Market.  Shoppers can expect there to be an emphasis on local, quality products with over 150 stalls in Castle Street, ...

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  8. Group of people with Mayor front centre.

    Nominate your community hero

    There is still time to nominate your local hero for a Services to Farnham Award. The awards recognise crucial or outstanding service carried out on a voluntary basis to the Farnham community. Winners meet the Mayor of Farnham at a reception where the...

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  9. Crowd of people looking at stage lit up with purple lights

    Abba’s Angels sing for Farnham’s Christmas Lights switch-on

    Record numbers of people welcomed the Farnham Christmas lights switch-on in style on Saturday (20 November) with a Santa’s grotto, bucking reindeer, children’s fun fair rides, snow globe, panto stars and live nativity. Families, couples and gr...

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  10. Placeholder

    Win a hamper of local produce at this month’s Farmers’ Market

    The Farnham Farmers’ Market is 20 this month and to celebrate this milestone, a prize hamper packed full of goods donated by local producers is up for grabs at the market on Sunday 28 November. Anybody who visits the market in Central car park c...

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  11. An avenue of trees in leaf in Farnham Park

    Financial help for individuals and community projects

    Community groups and local good causes, as well as individuals and families in need, are being encouraged to apply for grants administered by Farnham Town Council. The South Street Trust and the Community Grants fund are suitable for organisations...

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  12. Aerial photo of Remembrance Sunday service

    Farnham remembers at annual remembrance service

    On Sunday 14 November, the Farnham community turned out in force to commemorate the British and Commonwealth servicemen and women who died in the two world wars and later conflicts, at Farnham’s annual remembrance service and parade. A civi...

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  13. Group of school children with Mayor and service personnel at war memorial

    Farnham schools remember

    Children from 15 local schools have taken part in this year’s Farnham Schools’ Remembrance Service at the War memorial in Gostrey Meadow.  The young people watched as Parade Marshall Ian Hunter led the Civic party which included the Mayor...

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  14. Group of children holding plants and a group of adults in front of a greenhouse.

    Bloomin’ Kids have a Marvellous Time!

    Thirty children have taken part in the first Bloomin’ Kids’ Gardening Workshop since the start of the pandemic.  The budding gardeners enjoyed activities such as garlic and onion set planting, seed sowing, terracotta pot painting wit...

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  15. Christmas lights and people in park at dark

    Farnham’s Christmas lights switch-on

    Farnham Town Council has an afternoon of festive family fun lined up for Farnham’s Christmas lights switch-on at Gostrey Meadow on Saturday 20 November.  Starting at 1pm, there will be non-stop live entertainment by 15 local schools and mus...

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  16. Snowy scene painted on a shop window

    Snow windows go viral

    An initiative to encourage people to visit Farnham town centre has gone viral and reached nearly ten million people on social media. The video, which has been watched over 4.5million times by people around the world, shows local artist Tom Baker u...

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  17. Male and female remove a red cloth to reveal a plaque on wall

    Plaque is unveiled to celebrate the life of John Verney

    The Mayor of Farnham has unveiled a plaque on Farnham’s wall of famous names in South Street to commemorate the many talents of the late John Verney.  Family members, friends and admirers of John Verney’s work gathered at the ceremony to cele...

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  18. Mayor of Farnham laying a wreath at the war memorial in Gostrey Meadow for Remembrance Sunday 2020

    Arrangements announced for Remembrance Sunday in Farnham

    Farnham’s annual Remembrance Parade and Service will take place on Sunday 14 November. The Remembrance parade will assemble in Castle Street from 10am with a road closure from the junction with Park Row from 10-10.30am. Alder Valley Brass will ...

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  19. Group of people in formal dress standing outside a church

    Mayor of Farnham commits to working together and reviving the town at Civic Ceremony

    Farnham’s annual Civic Service, which sees the Town Mayor make his promises of office, took place earlier this month at St Andrew’s Church. At the ceremony the Mayor of Farnham, Councillor Alan Earwaker, spoke of how he is using his year in offic...

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  20. Line of people with a green flag flying the background.

    Gostrey Meadow wins Green Flag award

    Gostrey Meadow has been awarded a Green Flag award for the first time, just two years after Farnham Town Council took on the management of the park. The Green Flag is an international mark of quality which aims to raise the standards of parks and ...

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  21. Four males standing in row. One holding a trophy and one a framed certificate.

    Community awards highlight the far reaching benefits of Farnham in Bloom

    Accomplished gardeners, enthusiastic litter-pickers, schools, pubs and care homes were among the recipients of the Farnham In Bloom Community Awards. Many of them attended the awards evening which took place at Squire's Garden Centre, Farnham on 6 Oc...

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  22. Group of people standing outside a shop

    October Craft Month gets underway for 2021

    An art installation has been unveiled in the Evelyn Borelli Memorial Garden and signifies the conclusion of a community-wide project which began during last year’s Craft Month.  Guests gathered to see the Mayor of Farnham, Councillor Alan E...

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  23. Group of people

    Farnham wins Council of the Year

    The results of the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) prestigious Star Council Awards 2021 have been announced and Farnham has been declared Council of the Year. Four other councils were shortlisted for the title with the fina...

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  24. Two young males each holding a green chilli

    Feeling the heat at Farnham’s Food and Drink Festival

    Farnham’s Food and Drink Festival went down a storm on Sunday, but it was the new chilli eating competition that really stole the show.  Each of the ten contestants were challenged to eat a full chilli down to the stalk before progressing t...

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  25. Group of people standing outside a red brick building with a hop cart filled with flowers in the foreground.

    Farnham in Bloom wins a bunch of gold awards

    The winners of this year’s South and South-East in Bloom competition have been announced with Farnham in Bloom picking up a bunch of gold awards.  For the first time ever, the judges awarded West Street Cemetery with Gold. The Town Centre a...

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  26. Older male splitting a piece of wood with a knife and hammer.

    Packed programme announced for Farnham’s October Craft Month

    October is Craft Month in Farnham which means a packed programme of workshops, exhibitions, craft fairs and trails, many of which are free. Dozens of crafts feature throughout the month, from glass blowing, sculpting, metal work and photography to mo...

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  27. Group of people standing next to a wall with a display of plaques.

    Wall of fame sees new name added

    A new plaque has been unveiled on Farnham’s Famous Names Wall in South Street in celebration of the achievements of nationally acclaimed dancer Brenda Simner. Brenda Simner, who has lived her whole life in Farnham, was joined by family members f...

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  28. Bowls of olives at the Food Festival

    Farnham Food & Drink Festival returns

    The Farnham Food & Drink Festival returns on Sunday 26 September and promises to be bigger and better than ever before. “Local foodies missed out last year due to COVID so we have a jam packed list of chefs, restauranteurs, brewers, bakers a...

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  29. Four people. Three holding gifts

    Recognition for hundreds of pandemic volunteers at ‘thank you’ reception

    On behalf of the town, around 200 invited guests have been thanked by the Mayor of Farnham, former Mayor and partner organisations for their contribution to the local response to the pandemic and their generosity in helping people in need. The rec...

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  30. Crowd of people sitting on grass watching a stunt bike rider

    Extreme Mountain Bike Show entertains and inspires crowds

    Tricks and stunts impressed crowds gathered at Gostrey Meadow (on 18 August) as the Extreme Mountain Bike show took Farnham by storm. The team from Extreme Mountain Bike Show, which tours the UK’s towns and cities, performed breathtaking stunts ...

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  31. A group of people standing in front of a bandstand.

    Getting back to normal

    Music in the Meadow was back to pre-COVID numbers on Sunday as people flocked to Farnham Town Council’s free outdoor music event. The band Azure proved to be a big hit and created a great atmosphere. People were clapping and dancing all afternoo...

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  32. Placeholder

    The Extreme Mountain Bike Show comes to Farnham

    A bike event like no other is coming to Farnham on 18 August to offer something completely free and a little different to young people on their summer break. The Extreme Mountain Bike Show will take place in Gostrey Meadow from 12-5pm accompanied by ...

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  33. Banner for Star Council Awards 2021

    Farnham shortlisted for Council of the Year - please vote for us

    Farnham Town Council has been shortlisted for the prestigious title of Council of the Year in England’s Star Council Awards 2021. The Town Council is just one of five town/parish councils in the running for the award with the final winner to be ...

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  34. Five people standing in a line in front of a red brick building.

    Judging of Farnham in Bloom is completed

    Farnham welcomed some very special visitors this week when judges from South and South East in Bloom assessed the town’s entries to the horticultural competition. Farnham Town Council is hopeful that the creativity and biodiversity of this yearâ...

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  35. Bath tub filled with flowers and a union flag on side of bath.

    Farnham in Bloom is ready to impress as judging gets underway

    The eagerly awaited judging of this year’s Farnham in Bloom entries has begun and will continue until 15 July, prompting a flurry of activity as volunteers carry out last minute checks and tweaks to the prolific array of colourful displays and plan...

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  36. Umbrellas in foreground and stage with band performing in background.

    Singing in the rain at Picnic in the Park

    Met. office weather warnings for heavy rain failed to dampen the spirits of merry makers at Sunday’s Picnic in the Park at Gostrey Meadow.  Picnickers were transported back to the heady days of the 1960s with live music from The Replays, Th...

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  37. Three males in high viz jackets and holding black rubbish sacks.

    Team of volunteer litter pickers tidy up the town

    An army of litter pickers spruced up parts of Farnham town centre plus beauty spots such as Gostrey Meadow and Riverside on Saturday (12 June) as part of Keep Britain Tidy’s Big Spring Clean and Farnham in Bloom’s activities to enhance public spa...

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  38. Placeholder

    Saluting the Armed Forces

    The beginning of a nationwide week of Armed Forces Day celebrations has been marked by the Mayor of Farnham, Councillor Alan Earwaker who paid tribute to servicemen, and women and veterans in a flag-raising ceremony.  The Mayor raised the Arm...

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  39. Young girl holds a drawing and receiving a prize from the Mayor.

    Young artist puts NHS rainbow at heart of design

    A flowerbed based on a piece of child’s artwork and featuring a cheerful NHS rainbow, a big red heart and bright sunshine is Gostrey Meadow’s newest floral centrepiece.  The carpet bed - flowers and foliage closely planted together to cre...

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  40. Two adults and two children standing next to a bench filled with items to make a hanging basket.

    Schoolchildren urged to get planting for Farnham in Bloom

    Schoolchildren are playing their part in making this year’s Farnham in Bloom an amazing show of flowers and creativity - with more opportunities for schools to get involved still available. “Farnham in Bloom has lots to offer children’s lear...

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  41. Black metal fingerpost, signs to town centre locations. © Farnham Town Council

    Pedestrians - tell us your views

    We are conducting a survey to find out more about what it is like to be a pedestrian in Farnham and your experiences of navigating the town on foot. The findings will help to inform a new wayfinding scheme in Farnham. The survey takes about f...

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  42. Mayor presents a gift to a male in a green uniform. Both are in front of a flower cart with people behind.

    Employee receives long-service award

    Farnham Town Council’s outside workforce is well used to winning gold and silver gongs for their contribution to Farnham in Bloom but there is one member of the team whose long service has earned him an extra special award.  Robin Cooper joined...

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  43. Female pricking out seedlings. Three people in background gardening.

    Farnham Town Council thanks Farnham’s volunteers

    Farnham Town Council joined the closing celebration of Volunteers’ Week to say a huge thank you to its incredible volunteers and to recognise how their contribution makes Farnham a greater place to live.  In a year where the community has b...

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  44. Placeholder

    Picnic in the Park brings flower power to Farnham

    Farnham’s annual Picnic in the Park is back for 2021 on 27 June from 1-6pm in Gostrey Meadow. Organisers of the much-loved community day have given the picnic the theme of ‘flower power’ and are inviting picnickers to contribute a potted plant ...

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  45. Group of students holding plant and standing on a raised grass area.

    Farnham in Bloom helps pupils reinvigorate school garden

    Farnham in Bloom has come to the rescue at Farnham Heath End School by helping students re-plant an area formerly used as a pond, with an array of flowers and wildlife-friendly plants. “The school has a lovely garden area which the students use ...

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  46. Group of people with Mayor front centre.

    Awards recognise volunteering action from 10 Farnham residents

    Ten local men and women have been honoured in the prestigious annual Services to Farnham Awards at a ceremony in the Council Chamber of Farnham Town Council on 17 May.  Speaking at the ceremony, the retiring Mayor of Farnham, Councillor Pat Evans...

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  47. Mayor and Mayoress standing next to a man

    Open air events return to Farnham

    There were happy smiling faces all around on Sunday as people took part in the start of Farnham’s summer programme of events which is sponsored by Kidd Rapinet.  Visitors were treated to a total of three separate open-air events which inclu...

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  48. People sitting on blankets in a park

    Music in the Meadow is back for summer 2021

    Music in the Meadow is back from 30 May at Gostrey Meadow - to the delight of music fans looking for family-friendly free outdoor entertainment this summer. Music in the Meadow is a season of free, live music concerts taking place in Gostrey Meadow e...

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  49. A photo of the new Mayor of Farnham, Councillor Alan Earwaker alongside retiring mayor Councillor Pat Evans

    Mayor Pat Evans hands over role to new Mayor after two years

    The Mayor of Farnham, Councillor Pat Evans, has handed over the role to Councillor Alan Earwaker after two years as Mayor. The Mayor is usually elected for a one-year term but when COVID hit the UK and the 2020 Annual Town Meeting was postponed in...

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  50. People browsing a market stall selling antiques

    Save the date for Farnham’s next open-air market

    An art and craft makers market will be held in West Street on Sunday 23 May from 10am to 4pm and follows hot on the heels of April’s successful antiques and brocante street market. Complementing Farnham’s World Craft Town status, the market in...

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  51. Plant stall and marquees in a park area

    Bookings now open for community festival

    Farnham Community Farm and Farnham Town Council are bringing businesses, charities, musicians, artisans together with the wider community for the Farnham Sustainability Festival on Sunday 23 May (11am to 4pm) in Gostrey Meadow.  Entrance is f...

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  52. Farnham Walking Festival logo

    Farnham’s favourite walks

    Farnham Town Council has curated a collection of favourite walks for this month’s celebration of walking.  The month-long walking festival has been adapted to ensure people can enjoy the nation’s newfound love of walking whilst maintainin...

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  53. Plants growing in a display of Wellington boots.

    Farnham in Bloom 2021 launches with new Principal sponsor

    Farnham’s annual celebration of all things floral has started with the official launch of Farnham in Bloom 2021. With bedding plants at the ready, open spaces sown with wildflower seeds and a new principal sponsor in place, Farnham in Bloom 2021...

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  54. Portrait image of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh

    Statement from the Mayor of Farnham

    It is with great sadness that Farnham Town Council received the news of the death of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh KG KT OM GCVO GBE on Friday 9 April 2021. On behalf of the people of Farnham, Councillor Pat Evans the May...

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  55. People browsing a market stall selling antiques

    Open air market welcomes shoppers to West Street

    Farnham’s West Street will be the venue for an outdoor antiques and brocante market on 25 April from 10am to 4pm. The monthly Farmers’ Market will also be happening between 10am and 1.30pm in Central car park. Both markets promise to be relaxed a...

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  56. A butterfly artwork

    Bloomin’ Kids Butterfly Art Competition

    Farnham in Bloom, supported by The Patio Blackspot Removal Company Ltd involves the whole community and this Easter the focus is on activities for families.  Farnham Town Council has a limited number of free seed packs to give away to local f...

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  57. Close up of yellow flowers in street. Red car in background

    Bloomin’ Farnham invited to compete at national level

    Farnham Town Council has been nominated to take part in this year’s RHS Community Awards and is the only town in Surrey to have been invited to participate.  The new virtual awards replace the 2021 RHS Britain in Bloom UK Finals competition...

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  58. Farnham Walking Festival logo

    Farnham Walking Festival marches on in May

    Farnham’s walking festival is back on track for 2021 with a new approach introduced for life under the pandemic. Farnham Walking Festival 2021 will take place in May and promote a series of self-led walks from much-loved routes contributed by local...

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  59. Newly planted trees line a footpath through a green space

    Tree planting programme begins in Farnham

    Stunning new feature trees are appearing in a number of green spaces owned or managed by Farnham Town Council.  So far this year, a small avenue of flowering cherry trees has been planted at the Evelyn Borelli Garden of Rest in Falkner Road. ...

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  60. Female holding flowers and presenting a gift bag to the Mayor.

    Ahmadiyya Muslim Women’s Association presents gift of masks

    The Ahmadiyya Muslim Women’s Association presented the Mayor of Farnham, Councillor Pat Evans with a contribution of 200 handmade face masks on Tuesday (9 March) to help keep down the transmission of the virus in Farnham. Ismat Sana, the preside...

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  61. Mayor and solider standing in front of a red brick building.

    Mayor of Farnham raises flag for the Commonwealth

    On behalf of Farnham, the Town Mayor, Councillor Pat Evans, marked Commonwealth Day on Monday 8 March by raising the Commonwealth Flag outside the town council offices. Joined by Colour Sergeant (CSgt) Dean Smith from the Princess of Wales’s Roy...

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  62. exterior of red brick building, flags and clock on the side.

    Register to attend the Annual Town Meeting

    Voters in Farnham can register now to attend the Annual Town Meeting which this year takes place online. The meeting will be held virtually at 6.30pm on Thursday 18 March on Zoom. Register online or send an email to Farnham Town Council at custom...

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  63. Display of artisan bread at the farmers' market © David Fisher

    Market welcomes shoppers with masks

    Where better to buy everything you need to take part in Farmhouse Breakfast Week (20 to 27 January) than Farnham Farmers’ Market on Sunday 24 January (10am to 1.30pm). The market takes place in Central Car Park and, reflecting the latest COVID advi...

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