In 2008 the Surrey Hills AONB celebrated 50 years since being designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 2008 also marked the European Year of Food and Farming, which provided a double reason for a celebration. A grant of £41,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) allowed a host of events and activities to take place throughout the Surrey Hills to celebrate the year.
In May 1958, the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty became one of the first AONBs to be designated and the first in the south east (the first nationally was for the Gower and Lleyn peninsulas in Wales in 1956). Designation is to conserve and enhance the AONB's natural beauty and this has been particularly important because of its proximity to London. AONBs are also designated to meet the need for quiet enjoyment of the countryside and to have regard for the interests of those who live and work there.
In honour of the designation a host of events were organised throughout the year, starting with an evening reception on 8th May 2008 at the House of Commons, Celebrating 50 years of Food and Farming with a series of events as well as celebrating a series of 'Then & Now' images to highlight the landscape and villages of the Surrey Hills. The images formed part of an exhibition at the Guildford House Gallery in August & September, which was sponsored by Sheengate Publishing.
