Sponsors:

February Things to Do

Main February Events
  1. Queen's Accession - Queen Elizabeth came to the throne (aged 25) on 6 February 1952, the date when her father King George the Sixth died.
  2. Rugby - Six Nations Championship
  3. Valentines Day
  4. Brit Awards
  5. Chinese New Year
  6. Pancake Day (Shrove Tuesday)
  7. Extension of London Congestion Charge Zone
What to Do

For Send and Ripley events see Events pages.

Surrey and London February events see below

Surrey Events

UK Live & Unsigned- 11.00am Camberley auditions  South Coast Idol is part of Live and Unsigned UK and is the competition for groups and solo singers to perform. It is the biggest music talent contest outside TV’s X-Factor. Bands & solo singers required! Agincourt Club, London Road, Camberley, Surrey GU15 3JA

Cyclamen Society Show   A small show from the Cyclamen Society displaying these jewel like flowers. Free to visit after paying normal garden entry. Garden entry £7.50 for adults. RHS Garden Wisley, 0845 260 9000 Saturday Feb 3 - 11am - 4pm
RHS Garden Wisley, Woking.

Ghost tours- Hampton Court Palace Hear spine-chilling stories while you creep through the palaces deserted courtyards and down the infamous haunted gallery - if you dare! Call 0870 752 7777
Tuesday Oct 31 to Wednesday Feb 7 - Mondays, Fridays and Sundays
Hampton Court Palace Surrey KT8 9AU

Muriel Rose A new exhibition from the Crafts Study Centre’s permanent collection considers the life and career of Muriel Rose (1897-1996), a leading advocate for 20th century British craft practitioners.
Wednesday Nov 1 to Saturday Nov 3 - Saturdays 10am - 4pm, Tuesday - Friday 10am - 5pm
Crafts Study Centre, University College for the Creative Arts, Falkner Road, Farnham Surrey GU9 7DS

Georgian Life Learn more about London life at the time of Charles James Fox - Georgian architecture, dining, and social activities, and learn how to dance the minuet!
Tuesday Dec 19 to Saturday Apr 14 - Tues to Fri 12.30 to 4.30 Sat 11 to 4.
Chertsey Museum, The Cedars, 33 Windsor Street, Chertsey Surrey KT16 8AT

The Line of Beauty Featuring beautiful 18th century garments from the Olive Matthews Collection. This group of survivals from a golden age include previously unseen pieces, exquisite examples of embroidery, outerwear, underwear and a complete wedding outfit. Enquiries 01932 565764 email enquiries@chertseymuseum.org.uk
Tuesday Dec 19 to Saturday Jul 28 - Tues to Fri 12.30 to 4.30 Sat 11 to 4.
Chertsey Museum, The Cedars, 33 Windsor Street, Chertsey Surrey KT16 8AT

Charles James Fox: Man of the People Temporary exhibition to mark the 200th anniversary of the death of this local Chertsey character; discover more about the life of Britain’s 1st Foreign Secretary. Enquiries 01932 565764 email enquiries@chertseymuseum.org.uk
Tuesday Dec 19 to Saturday Feb 3 - Tues to Fri 12.30 to 4.30 Sat 11 to 4.Entry FREE
Chertsey Museum, The Cedars, 33 Windsor Street, Chertsey Surrey KT16 8AT

Tropical Extravaganza Escape from the cold and dark of winter and enter Kew’s hot and steamy Princess of Wales Conservatory, which will be transformed with a myriad of brightly-coloured tropical flowers including orchids, bromeliads and anthuriums. Ends 4 March 2007
Saturday Feb 3 - 9.30 - 17.30 Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Surrey TW9 3AB

Janet Leach: a retrospective Work by late potter Janet Leach, wife of potter Bernard Leach.
Saturday Feb 3 to Saturday Mar 31 - Saturdays 10am - 4pm, Tuesday - Friday 10am - 5pm
Crafts Study Centre, University College for the Creative Arts, Falkner Road, Farnham Surrey GU9 7DS

Shakespeare Shools Festival The Shakespeare Schools Festival is the UK's largest youth drama festival and a unique arts-education initiative working with 25000 pupils in 1050 schools
Tuesday Feb 6 to Friday Feb 9 - 7pm Tickets £7.50, Child £5.50
The Leatherhead Theatre- Box Office 01372 365141 Surrey KT22 8DN

Lecture Lunch - Behind the Scenes at The National Trust Retired Polesden Lacey Property Manager Andrew McElwee gives a behind the scenes look working for The National Trust Ticket price inclusive of coffee & biscuits on arrival and two course lunch. Advance booking essential.
Wednesday Feb 7 - 10:30am Adult £19.95 Contact:01372 469421
Claremont Landscape Garden Portsmouth Road Esher Surrey KT10 9JG

Change on the Heath - a talk by the Surrey Heathland Project The talk accompanies an exhibition which shows how Surrey’s heathland landscape has changed along with the lives of the people who lived and worked on it, and includes photographs, paintings, maps and tools. Tickets for talk £2.50 each. Places are limited. Phone 01483 518737 for more information.
Thursday Feb 8 - Talk: Thursday 8 February 2007, 7.30pm - 8.30pm. Free Exhibition: 6 February - 3 March 2007 during normal opening hours
Surrey History Centre, 130 Goldsworth Road, Woking GU21 6ND

Sources for house history at Surrey History Centre An illustrated talk by Di Stiff for anyone researching the history of their house in Surrey. Tickets £2.50 each. Places are limited. To book, please telephone 01483 518737 or email shs@surreycc.gov.uk
Saturday Feb 10 - 11.00 - 12.00
Surrey History Centre, 130 Goldsworth Road, Woking GU21 6ND

"Natures Clues" Children’s Trail Come and be a nature detective and hunt for clues around the garden with the fun children’s trail for Februarys Half term.
Saturday Feb 10 to Sunday Feb 18 - Daily from 10am (closed Monday 12 February) Contact:01372 467806 Claremont Landscape Garden Portsmouth Road Esher Surrey KT10 9JG

Small living willow structures course Learn the basic techniques for working with living willow and create some useful and attractive things for your garden. Various dates available. Venue: Eastbridge Willows, Crondall 01252 852 562 Other dates available. cost £48 includes tuition, materials and lunch
Saturday Feb 10 - 10.30-3.30 Crondall, Nr. Farnham Surrey GU10 5RH

Gatton Park - Open Garden Formerly home to the Colman family (of mustard fame), now the grounds of the Royal Alexandra and Albert School. Hidden gardens within historic Capability Brown parkland. 1910 Edwardian Japanese garden restored for Channel 4’s ’Lost Gardens’. Dramatic 1912 Pulham rock garden, walled gardens, lakeside trail. Restoration of gardens ongoing and maintained by volunteers.
Sunday Feb 11 - Adm £3.50, chd free Open for charity for the NGS.
Gatton Park, Merstham Surrey RH2 0TW

Brum Hold on to your seats; everyone's favourite super-brave.super-car is on his way.Yes, it's BRUM! Live on stage!
Monday Feb 12 - Two performances 1pm & 3:30pm Tickets £8.50 Family £32
The Leatherhead Theatre- Box Office 01372 365141 Surrey KT22 8DN

JIVING classes & freestyle (Byfleet) Have fun, keep fit and learn / improve your jive with a fun-loving and friendly group of jive bunnies. 1 hour class followed by freestyle. No partner needed. Lots of Sat dances in Surrey. Call Rita 07795-143233 /0208 780 9023 or Sandra 01932 883561 (bring own drinks & glass please). Cost £6. Monday Feb 12 to Monday May 28 - 8.30 til 10.30pm (Mondays fortnightly) - 12 & 26 Feb; 12 & 26 Mar; 16 & 30 April; 14 & 28 May.
St Mary’s Church Hall, Rectory lane, Byfleet Surrey KT14 7LL Contact

The Chinese State Circus New Victoria Theatre Woking, 12–14 February. A rare chance to see an amazing all new, action-packed spectacular combining the agility and precision of the world’s greatest acrobats. With dazzling costumes, luxurious sets and thrilling special effects accompanied by the original music from the Peking Opera, this is electrifying entertainment for the whole family. Tickets: £13–£25. Call 01483 545900 / 0870 060 6645 or visit www.theambassadors.com/woking

Half term Holiday Activities Activity sessions for children aged 6 to 12 organised by Chertsey Museum. For bookings phone 01932 565764: fee £4.50 per session (£3.00 concessions).
Tuesday Feb 13 to Thursday Feb 15 - 11 to 12.30 or 2 to 3.30
Chertsey Museum, The Cedars, 33 Windsor Street, Chertsey Surrey KT16 8AT

Family History on the Internet at Dorking Library Try some useful websites with family history links and helpsheets. Ideal for those who haven’t yet used the web for family history research, but have basic keyboard and mouse skills. Cost per person including factsheets is £5. Booking essential. Tel 08456 009 009 or visit the library.
Tuesday Feb 13 - 2.00pm - 3.30pm or 6.00pm - 7.30pm
Dorking Library, Pippbrook, Dorking, Surrey RH4 1SL

Valentine’s Lovers Ghost Tour Surprise your beloved with a torch-lit tour of Ham House to hear stories of love and loss through the centuries followed by drinks and canapes in the 17th century Orangery Footwear restrictions apply. No stilletto heels aloowed in the house. Not suitable for children. Suitable for most types of wheelchair, please contact property in advance. Wrap up warm as it can be cold in the house. Gates open at 7pm.
Wednesday Feb 14 - 7.30 to 9.30pm Adult £26 Contact:020 8940 1950
Ham House Ham Street Ham Richmond-upon-Thames Surrey TW10 7RS

Emma Johnson-Clarinettist Emma Johnson is one of the few clariettists to have established a busy international career as a solist.
Wednesday Feb 14 - 7:30pm Tickets £14, Members £11.50
The Leatherhead Theatre- Box Office 01372 365141 Surrey KT22 8DN

Puccini’s La Boheme - Southbank Sinfonia A delightful and intimate fully staged new production of Puccini’s opera La Boheme. Arranged by Jonathan Dove, performed by some of our brightest up-and-coming international young professionals. Ticket £90.00 includes drinks reception, performance & dinner, available from 01420 520351
Friday Feb 16 - Drinks reception 6.30pm Performance 7.30pm Dinner 9.15pm
Bury Court Barn, Bentley, Farnham, Surrey GU10 5LZ

Chas and Dave Back by popular demand, Rock and Roll legends Chas 'n' Dave bring their mastery of madcap music,wisdom and wit to the Leatherhead Theatre once again.
Friday Feb 16 - 8pm Tickets £17, Members £14.50
The Leatherhead Theatre- Box Office 01372 365141 Surrey KT22 8DN

The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark From the company who brought Laura’s Star to the Mill last year comes the story of Danny and how he conquers his fear of the dark. Tickets £7.00 Suitable for ages 3 – 7 years. Box Office 01483 440000
Friday Feb 16 to Saturday Feb 17 - 11.00am & 2.00pm
The Mill Studio, Guildfords Yvonne Arnaud Theatre Surrey GU1 3UX

Great Greek Temples Runnymede Young Archaeologists Club will be looking at Greek temples and then making their own temple. Thinking about all the different decorations it would have had, and what went on inside and outside the temple. £4.50 per child. Tel 01932 565764 to book.
Saturday Feb 17 - 11 to 12.30 or 2 to 3.30
Chertsey Museum, The Cedars, 33 Windsor Street, Chertsey Surrey KT16 8AT

A Winter Concert A concert performance of Mozart, Overture to the Marriage of Figaro; Mendelssohn, Violin Concerto in E Minor & Beethoven, Symphony No 1. Conducted by Simon Over & performed by Southbank Sinfonia, Britain’s brightest young stars! Tickets £25 includes drinks & performance, available from 01420 520351
Saturday Feb 17 - Drinks 5.30pm, performance 6.30pm
Bury Court Barn, Bentley, Farnham, Surrey GU10 5LZ

Valentines Dinner Dance Black Tie ’Glam & Glitzy’ Extravaganza, for fun loving ’over 30’s’ with balloons, poppers and table gifts to accompany delicious 2 course meal then DJ’ed Disco, £30. Singles and unmarried couples welcome. Call Rita 07795-143233 / 0208 780 9023 or Sandra 01932 883561
Saturday Feb 17 - 7 for 7.30 dinner, then dancing until 12.15am, carriages 12.30am
Hoebridge Golf Club, Old Woking Road (B382), Old Woking Surrey GU22 8JH

Discover the Wey to the Thames Meet the volunteers at Thames Lock on the river Wey to discover the bottom end of the river before it flows into the Thames. A five mile circular walk. Free of charge, but donations gratefully accepted.
Sunday Feb 18 - 11am Contact:01483 561389 during office hours
River Wey Navigations Guildford Surrey GU1 4RR

Half Term Activities for Children aged 6-12 and their Families at Kingston Museum Workshops: Optical Toys and Moving Images, Monday 19th &Tuesday 20th February 2007 at 11am and 2pm; Origami the art of paper sculpture with Rick Beech leading UK specialist on Thursday 22 February at 11am, 2pm and 3pm. Cost £2 per child. Book on 020 8547 6460.
Monday Feb 19 to Thursday Feb 22
Kingston Museum, Wheatfield Way, Kingston upon Thames Surrey KT1 2PS

L’elisir d’amore - Haslemere Hall, Haslemere For the third consecutive year, the Guildford Philharmonic continues its highly successful association with Opera South with a new production of this immortal Italian comedy. Tickets: £12-£35 Tel: 01428 642161 or email hall@haslemere.com
Tuesday Feb 20
Haslemere Hall, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 2AS

Eminent Victorians (Social History) Lython Strachey suggested that the confident individuality of the Victorian age could only be appreciated by looking at the lives of their great men and women. In this short course we shall look at a number of lines that offer an insight into the Victorian experience. Booking information: 01634 298600. WEA Course.
Wednesday Feb 21 - start time: 13:30 Wednesdays, end date: 21 March, standard fee: £26.5.
Methodist Church Hall High Road Byfleet Surrey KT14 7QL

Lecture Lunch - Princess Charlotte: A Childhood in the Tabloids Francesca Fraser Darling gives an illustrated lecture on Princess Charlotte and how her childhood was portrayed in the tabloids of the day. Ticket price inclusive of coffee & biscuits on arrival and two course lunch. Advance booking essential.
Wednesday Feb 21 - 10:30am Adult £19.95 Contact:01372 469421
Claremont Landscape Garden Portsmouth Road Esher Surrey KT10 9JG

Utopia Limited Godalming Operatic Society prersents Gilbert & Sullivan's UTOPIA LIMITED. Full professional Orchestra, New Stage Director. A throughly enjoyable opera.
Friday Feb 23 to Saturday Feb 24 - Various Times and Prices
The Leatherhead Theatre- Box Office 01372 365141 Surrey KT22 8DN

Godalming and Headley Artists Exhibition Artwork by Godalming and Headley Artists, including well-known painter Christopher Cole. A variety of media and genre included in this exhibition and all work is for sale.
Saturday Feb 24 to Saturday Mar 10 - Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4.45pm
Guildford House Gallery, 155 High Street, Guildford, Surrey GU1 3AJ

Last Orders! Photographic exhibition of bygone public houses from around the Borough of Runnymede. Enquiries 01932 565764 email enquiries@chertseymuseum.org.uk
Saturday Feb 24 to Saturday May 19 - Tues to Fri 12.30 to 4.30 Sat 11 to 4. Entry FREE
Chertsey Museum, The Cedars, 33 Windsor Street, Chertsey Surrey KT16 8AT

Cobham Book Fair Thousands of secondhand books for sale from a variety of dealers. Fiction and non fiction. Prices to suit every pocket. Ephmera and postcards. Simon McArthur 01372 725075 Admission 40p Accompanied children free.
Saturday Feb 24 - 9.15AM-3.30PM
Cobham Village Hall Lushington Drive Surrey KT11 2LU

Bonsai Weekend An educational event weekend, for novices and experienced. Displays, talks and demonstrations. Free once inside the garden. Garden Entry £7.50 for adults. RHS Garden Wisley, 0845 260 9000. Saturday Feb 24 to Sunday Feb 25
RHS Garden Wisley, Woking. On the A3 near to M25 Surrey GU23 6QB

FREE LECTURE: Eadweard Muybridge as Maker of Pictures by Mark Haworth- Booth The Animal Locomotion pictures by pioneer Victorian photographer of the moving image, Eadweard Muybridge, are the subject of this special talk by this prestigious photographic scholar and Research Fellow from the V&A.
Tuesday Feb 27 - 7pm
Kingston Museum, Wheatfield Way, Kingston upon Thames Surrey KT1 2PS

 

London Events

Six Nations Championship.
UK International rugby competition (England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France, Italy).
Sat 3 - Sun 4 Feb
Saturday: 13:30 Italy vs France ; 16:00 England vs Scotland
Sunday: 15:00 Wales vs Ireland

Sat 10 Feb -Sun 11 Feb
Saturday: 13:30 England vs Italy ; 15:30 Scotland vs Wales
Sunday: 15:00 Ireland vs France

Sat 24 Feb
15:00 Scotland vs Italy ; 17:30 Ireland vs England ; 20:00 France vs Wales

 

Clown Service, London

Each year, on the first Sunday in February, clowns gather for a church service in East London in memory of the British clown Joseph Grimaldi (1778-1837). The church service, starting at 3pm, is at Holy Trinity Church in Dalston (Tube: Liverpool Street, then bus 149 or 242; nearest train station: Dalston Kingsland; map). Afterwards there is a performance by the clowns in a nearby school, and a chance to visit the Clowns Gallery - Museum.

 

Tue 6 Feb Queen's Accession: gun salutes, London/Windsor

Queen Elizabeth came to the throne (aged 25) on 6 February 1952, the date when her father King George the Sixth died. To mark this event, cannons will be fired in the following locations:
- A 41-gun salute at 12 noon fired by the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery in Hyde Park, London (opposite the Dorchester Hotel: map ; nearest Tube: Hyde Park Corner or Marble Arch)
- A 62-gun salute at 1pm fired by the Honourable Artillery Company at the Tower of London (from the gunpark at the western end of London Wharf: map ; nearest Tube: Tower Hill). Guns have been fired from this location since the time of Henry the Eighth
- A 21-gun salute at 12 noon at The Long Walk in the grounds of Windsor Castle, Windsor (near the Brook Street entrance: map)
For background information about the gun salutes, see: http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/page4951.asp.

 

Wed 14 Feb Valentine's Day, UK

A time to tell someone that you love him/her. Both men and women can send cards or give presents. Traditionally, you do not write your name on the card or present (but you may add a clue so that he or she can guess it is from you). They are often sent by post, delivered by someone else or are hidden: they are not normally given directly to the person. Among the most common presents are chocolates, teddy bears and flowers. Couples sometimes go out for a meal: reserve a table early if you want to go to a restaurant on this day. This is the most expensive time of year to buy red roses. The Scottish poet Robert Burns wrote, "My love is like a red, red rose": this may have helped to create the association between red roses and love.
To find London pubs/bars with Valentine's Day themes, see: http://www.citypublife.co.uk

The Spirit of the Valentine Exhibition   An exhibition of Victorian Valentine Cards, and Valentine Cards from the Shell Collection. Many cards are stunning works of art - some totally romantic and others deeply satirical cartoons.
Saturday Jan 20 to Saturday Feb 3 - Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4.45pm
Guildford House Gallery, 155 High Street, Guildford,  Surrey GU1 3AJ  

 

Wed 14 Feb Brits Awards, UK

Awards ceremony for British and international pop, shown on television. For details, see: http://www.brits.co.uk.

 

Sun 18 Feb [details to be confirmed] Chinese New Year: Chinatown event, London

Celebration of the Chinese New Year (this year is the "year of the pig") in the Chinatown area of London. The main events are in Gerrard Street (map), Leicester Square (map) and Trafalgar Square (map); the nearest Tube stations are Charing Cross and Leicester Square. The entertainment includes lion and dragon dances, martial art demonstrations, Chinese food and music, and firecrackers. The timetable for the 2007 event is not yet available (for the latest information check: http://www.chinatownchinese.co.uk or http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/chinese_ny/index.jsp) but in 2006 it was as follows:

- from 11:00: Grand Parade from Charing Cross Road to Trafalgar Square
- 11:45 to 17:30: Entertainment on the main stage in Trafalgar Square
- 14:00 and 17:00: Fire crackers / fireworks are set off in Leicester Square
- Arts, crafts and food stalls will be set up in the streets around Chinatown
- During the afternoon and early evening, dragons will visit each of the restaurants in Chinatown
- The London Eye will be lit red during the day
- Sharwood's "Wok the City" in Soho Square (map) from 11:00-17:00 (http://www.sharwoodschinesenewyear.com)

Note that the narrow streets of Soho can get very crowded: be careful to look after your belongings.
* Photos of this event (plus a more detailed timetable): Ideas/Album/ChineseNewYear

 

Mon 19 Feb Extended congestion charge zone, London

The Central London congestion charge must be paid by people who drive through the middle of London. From 7am on 19th February the congestion charging zone is being extended further to the west, to include most of Pimlico, Belgravia, Brompton, Knightsbridge, Bayswater, South Kensington, Kensington, Notting Hill and North Kensington. A few roads passing through the new extended zone will not have a charge: these are the roads on the western side of the previous congestion zone (Edgware Road, Park Lane, Grosvenor Place, Vauxhall Bridge Road) and the A40 (Westway). Note that if you live within the charging zone (or in some neighbouring areas) you can obtain a residents' discount. For full details, see: http://www.cclondon.com.

 

Tue 20 Feb Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day), UK

Historically, on Shrove Tuesday Christians confessed their sins and asked to be forgiven for them. It is the day before the period known as Lent, when Christians did not eat fatty foods (for example: meat, fish, eggs and milk) for 40 days until Palm Sunday, which is a week before Easter Sunday. Families had a feast on this day to eat those foods which could not be kept for 40 days, to avoid wasting them. The eggs and milk were used by adding flour and frying them to make pancakes. This tradition is still kept by many families. A popular name for Shrove Tuesday is Pancake Day. In France the day is called Mardi Gras, which means "Fat Tuesday".

Pancake Races, UK

About 500 years ago, a woman was cooking her pancakes at home when she heard the bell calling her to church to make her confessions. She ran out of her house and rushed to church, still holding her frying pan and wearing her apron, tossing the pancakes into the air to stop them from burning. This became famous, starting a tradition known as pancake racing - people dress up with aprons, hold frying pans and race against each other. Pancake races are usually small events organised by local communities, and are often used to raise money for charity.

Some of the races in London are as follows:
- Great Spitalfields Pancake Race: this event is organised by Alternative Arts. It will take place along Dray Walk at the Old Truman Brewery, 91-95 Brick Lane, London E1 6QL starting at 12:30pm (Tube: Aldgate East or Shoreditch; map). For details, see: http://www.alternativearts.co.uk/t_eventdetail.asp?PageID=86
- Great Pancake Race: the races are on Tower Hill Terrace, Byward Street, London EC3 (opposite the Tower of London). This event will start at 1:00pm. In previous years tea has been served afterwards in the nearby church All Hallows by the Tower (Tube: Tower Hill; map). For details, see: http://www.allhallowsbythetower.org.uk/pancake_race.htm
- Poulters’ Company Pancake Race: races start at noon in Guildhall Yard (in front of London's Guildhall in the City of London; nearest Tube: St Paul's, Bank or Mansion House; map). The contest is between teams representing each of the traditional livery companies (trade associations). See: http://www.thecookandthebutler.co.uk/News_and_Events.htm