Surrey Day legacy

Surrey Day is now firmly in the county’s calendar after a successful second year of celebrations which were held `virtually’ due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.

The event, jointly hosted by the county’s tourist board, Visit Surrey, along with BBC Radio Surrey and Surrey Life magazine, turned into a global triumph.

Global support

As the day gathered pace, an online audience tuned in from all around the world and a huge social media following ensured #SurreyDay was one of the most popular hashtags of the day.

Celebrity love

Celebrities such as Dame Judie Dench and Jenny Seagrove, plus high-profile personalities like the county’s High Sheriff, Shahid Azeem, and the Lord-Lieutenant, Michael More-Molyneux, shared their love of Surrey in radio interviews.

National news

Even a week after the event, Surrey Day made the headlines with the Daily Mirror sharing the story with its 600,000 readers.

Virtual tours

The celebrations gave people a huge morale boost and a much-needed distraction from the COVID -19 crisis.  They were able to enjoy the sights and sounds of Surrey from wherever they were based, from online tours of the county’s museums, galleries and attractions to special interviews, entertaining audio-clips and top tips for after the lockdown.  As a grand finale, Guildford Cathedral was lit up green in homage to England’s most densely wooded county.

The Surrey Show

And the Surrey Day legacy continues. The last Sunday of every month, at 5.30pm, is now `The Surrey Show’ on BBC Radio Surrey. Featuring Visit Surrey chair, Christine Howard, and the editor of Surrey Life magazine, Rebecca Younger, the programme gives a flavour of Surrey, putting the spotlight on its unique tourist attractions, beautiful countryside and the people who make it special. You can listen again here The Surrey Show

Surrey Day 2021

Next year, the date for Surrey Day will be, as always, the first Saturday of May and that means start making plans now for a Surrey celebration on May 1.  The event is expected to be bigger and better, and there will be an opportunity for a sponsor to come on board, to share the limelight and the love of this county.  For more information on this contact Visit Surrey director Tracy Carroll by email tracy@marketplace.uk.com