💌 Hello from The Nugget
I welcome you today with two bits of local sporting news, the first is to cheer on East Molesey resident Jamie Ward, who’s turning a life-changing diagnosis into a powerful run for change. After a routine eye test revealed something unusual, Jamie was diagnosed with Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON)—a rare genetic condition that causes sudden, irreversible sight loss. Within six months, Jamie lost vision in both eyes.
But instead of retreating, Jamie adapted. With support from the RNIB, he learned new tech tools, stayed active in his role at Channel 4, and found fresh ways to connect with the world around him. Now, he’s training for the Royal Parks Half Marathon on 12 October, running with his guide and friend, another local, Ian Walker. They hope to raise £10,000 for RNIB. Be sure to cheer them on if you see them out pounding the streets of Molesey.
My second sporting gem is one of mind blowing dedication and billions of hours spent on our amazing local river. Eight athletes with Molesey ties competed on rowing’s biggest stage in the recent championships in Shanghai.
Molesey boat club’s World Champions Josh and Eddie, second and third in from the left
🥇Josh O’Brien & Ed Fuller – PR3 Mixed Coxed Four — World Champions!
🥇Jonna De Vries – Cox for Netherlands Men’s Eight — World Champion!
Megan Slabbert – Women’s Four & Eight (W4-, W8+)
Jade Lindo – Women’s Pair (W2-)
Annie Caddick & Sam Murray – PR3 Mixed Double Sculls
Nina Catasgna – Cox for USA Women’s Eight & Mixed Eight
🎓 Honourable mention to former Molesey coach Helen Taylor, who coached the GB Women’s Double Sculls (W2x) crew
With medals won and finals raced, Molesey’s legacy continues to grow — and the community couldn’t be prouder.
✈️ Emma Green Travel — Your Personal Travel PA with 20+ Years’ Expertise and over two decades of travel planning experience. She has close ties to thousands of hotels and tour operators, and offers tailored holidays at unbeatable value. As part of one of the UK’s largest independent travel agencies, she can unlock exclusive deals—so you get more choice, better prices, and full support from first enquiry to post-holiday check-in. From luxury escapes to family adventures, Emma handles the details so you can focus on making memories.
LOCAL NEWS
Elmbridge Council Seeks Feedback on Free Parking Scheme - If you like it, let them know!
🅿️ Since April 2025, Elmbridge residents and visitors have benefited from 30 minutes of free parking across selected town and village car parks — part of the council’s push to support local businesses and improve access to high street services.
📣 The council is now inviting feedback from residents and business owners on how the scheme is working and where it could improve.
🗣️ “Your feedback is essential,” says Cllr Kirsty Hewens, Portfolio Holder for Enterprise, Parking and Local Economy. “We want to hear directly from our communities.”
📅 Deadline for responses: Sunday 19 October 2025
🔗 Share your views: elmbridge.gov.uk/news/2025/30-minutes-free-parking-how-does-it-help-you
Pre-Loved Prom Dresses Wanted – Let Your Dress Shine Again
👗 All Dressed Up is a non-profit helping Year 11 pupils attend prom who might not otherwise be able to afford it. All donated dresses are given completely free to those who need assistance.
💌 Donate clean, wearable dresses suitable for school proms — all sizes welcome, especially petite and plus sizes 📍 Drop-off at Elmbridge Xcel Centre, Waterside Drive, Walton-on-Thames, KT12 2JG
Nestled in the heart of East Molesey’s café culture, we have an Artist in residence at Café Macarong - Jiyeon Ryu brings a gentle yet resonant voice to the Cafés walls, weaving personal stories through painting and digital print. Her work explores themes of community and casual encounters with art—inviting visitors to pause, reflect, and connect. Catch her installation from 29 September to 27 October 2025, 📍 Open Monday–Saturday, 7:30am–5:30pm 🎟️ Free admission, but do buy a coffee or snack! 113 Walton Road, East Molesey.
Sophie is a fellow Molesey local, who has been capturing the joy, chaos, and magic of family life through her camera for over ten years, and it shows in every frame. Sophie’s style is relaxed, natural, and full of warmth — the kind that puts kids (and grown-ups) instantly at ease and brings out those real, unforced smiles we all treasure. She is currently taking bookings for her ever popular Autumn sessions, Check out her gorgeous photos and contact details on her website.
📩Want to advertise or sponsor The Nugget? hit reply to this email and get in touch.
Events & Meet-Ups
🎉 Big Nuggets📣
From coffee mornings to community fairs, here’s where Molesey gathers.
Local happenings, friendly faces, and a reason to leave the house (even if it’s just for cake).
*Event details may change. Please check with organisers for the latest updates. Listings are shared in good faith but may not reflect last-minute changes
Looking ahead
Quiz Night @ St Albans School Hosted by Friends of St Albans (PTA)📅 Friday 10 October 2025 - Open to EVERYONE. Includes a pudding auction and snack bar💷 £12 per ticket — includes a complimentary glass of fizz or beer and a snack🎟️ Tickets on sale here | Proceeds support the school
Hampton Court Palace 10K – Sunday 19 October
🕘 Sunday 19 October 2025 | Start: 9:00 AM (90-minute cut-off)
🏃♀️ Chip-timed 10K through palace grounds, The Barge Walk & Home Park
This week/weekend
Molesey Beer Festival – 3–5 October 2025 - Supporting 1st Molesey Scouts. 📍 1st Molesey Scout Hut, Walton Road | 🎟️ Tickets from £12.50 | 👨👩👧👦 Family-friendly Saturday afternoon. More info at moleseybeerfestival.co.uk
Surrey Soul Sensation – Friday 3 October 2025 📍 The Poyntz Arms, 85 Walton Road, East Molesey, KT8 0DP | 7:30–11:00 PM 🎶 Soul, Funk, Motown & Dancefloor Classics 🎧 DJ Paul Burton Beefy 🍻 Free entry | Pub bar open | Over 18s only
Wine Festival @ The Mute Swan - Saturday 4 October 2025🕓 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM | 3 Palace Gate, Hampton Court, KT8 9BN |🍷 Sample 40+ wines from around the world | Meet the experts | Nibbles included 💷 £25 per person
🎟️ Booking: brunningandprice.co.uk/muteswan
Barks & Brews – The Albion’s Monthly Dog Walk | 4th October 2025
Coffee, tail wags, and a pub lunch.
🗓️ First Saturday of the month | | ⏰ 9:30am–12pm
📍 The Albion, 34 Bridge Road, KT8 9HA
More info here thealbioneastmolesey.co.ukAll For Your Delight – One-Night Theatre Special📍 Cecil Hepworth Playhouse, Walton-on-Thames 📅 Wednesday 8 October 2025 🕗 Evening performance | 🎭 From the award-winning Farnham Maltings, this sparkling production celebrates the world of live entertainers — with comedy, songs, games, and roller-skating Brightcoats. Tickets here
Hatha Yoga with Mara – Thursdays at Vine Hall 📍 Vine Hall, Vine Road, East Molesey, KT8 🧘♀️ Every Thursday | 10:00 AM | 60-minute class 🌿 Gentle, grounding Hatha Yoga for all levels 🧺 Bring your own mat | £8–£10 per class ☕ Relaxed atmosphere | First class: Thursday 2 October | Book here |
👶👶Mini Nuggets🛝🛝
From toddler bounce sessions to midweek mischief, here’s what’s happening in and around Molesey🌞🌞
Looking ahead
Halloween Circus @ Chessington Garden Centre 📍 Leatherhead Road, Chessington, KT9 2NG 📅 Starts Saturday 11th October 2025 🎪 Family-friendly circus with Halloween thrills and jaw-dropping acts 💷 Tickets: Children £9 | Adults £13 | Under 1s free 🎟️ Booking here
This week/weekend
Got an early riser??!! - October’s Supermoon Will Be a Big One
Set your alarms — or just leave the curtains open. On Tuesday 7th October, the first supermoon of 2025 will rise over Molesey skies, peaking at 4:48 AM BST. It’s not just any full moon: this one’s a Harvest Moon, seen for the first time since 1987. Because it’s closest to the autumn equinox, it’ll appear especially large and bright — it’s the first supermoon since November 2024, and the biggest we’ll see all year. So if a small person wakes you up early, it’s worth a glance skyward
Bring Your Baby to Pilates 📅 Tuesdays, 10:00 AM 📍 Community Hub, Ray road, West Molesey KT8 2LG 📧 🔗 alignwithannapilates.com
Molies Playgroup – Mondays in East Molesey 📍 St Paul’s Church Hall, KT8 📅 Mondays, 9:45–11:15 AM | Help-yourself tea, coffee & often freshly baked cake 💷 £5 per family (+£1 per sibling) | Childminders: £4 per adult + £2 per child
Saturdads A Playgroup for male parents and carers & their kids 📍 St Peter’s Community Hub, Ray Road, Molesey, KT8 2LG 🗓️ 🥓 Bacon butties, coffee, tea, snacks & drinks for little ones 🚗 Plenty of free parking on site | More info |
Thames Ditton Miniature Railway Willowbank, Claygate Lane, Thames Ditton, KT7 0LE 🕐 Sunday 5 October 2025 | 1:00–4:00 PM |🚂 Public Running Day hosted by Malden District Society of Model Engineers |£3.50 per ride on the day • £10 advance ticket for unlimited rides • Under 3s ride free| Refreshments available | malden-dsme.org
Library Alternatives for Molesey Families
Molesey library will reopen on Wednesday 8th October, Hooray! In the meantime nearby branches are offering a full spread of rhymetime, storytime, and reading group sessions for little ones and their grown-ups:
Walton Library - The Heart KT12
Pebble Rhymetime 🎵 Mondays 10:30–11:00 AM (term time only, no booking) 🎵 Thursdays 10:30–11:00 AM (booking essential, reserve in person from Saturday)
Storytime 📖 Wednesdays 4:00–4:30 PM (no booking required)
Chatterbooks Reading Group 📘 Monthly Thursdays, 4:00–5:00 PM | Ages 7–11 📧 Info: [email protected]
Hersham Library – KT12
Pebble Rhymetime 🎵 Tuesdays 10:30 AM (booking required at library desk)
Storytime 📖 Tuesdays 4:00 PM (term time only, drop-in)
The Dittons Library – KT7
Pebble Rhymetime 🎵 Wednesdays: 10:30 AM & 11:00 AM 🎵 Saturdays: 10:30 AM 📌 Booking recommended — reserve in person from the Saturday before
All sessions are free and designed to support early literacy, social play, and community connection
Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre📍 Manor Road, Walton-on-Thames, KT12 2PF |Free Art Workshops - As part of the colourists exhibition, a drop-in session is on offer |Sat 4 October – from 11:00 AM Tote Bag Stencilling (age 10+) Hands-on art activity | All materials provided| Max 5 at a time| Wear suitable clothes🎟️ Free entry First come, first served
🎃 Garsons Pumpkin Parade — A Fairytale Farm Adventure. Wander through thousands of farm-grown pumpkins.📍 Garsons Farm, Winterdown Road, West End, Esher, Surrey KT10 8LS 📅 Open daily in October | 🎟️ Tickets: • £6 per person (ages 2+) • £5 per person for groups of 4+ (booked together) • Under 2s go free 🌐 Book online only: garsons.co.uk/pyo-farm/pumpkin-tickets
That’s it for this week, thanks for reading The Molesey Nugget.
I hope it brought you a smile 🌞🌞
Got a story to share? an event you want me to shout about ? or interested in growing your Molesey based business? just reply to this email, and let me know.
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Until next week….. enjoy the autumn sunshine
Jules
Founder & Editor ( all the mistakes are mine!)