While the news this week will no doubt be dominated by local election results, I wanted to start somewhere a little quieter… with Sir David Attenborough turning 100.

It’s been lovely seeing all the programmes celebrating his life this week, and easy to forget that one of his favourite places is actually right on our doorstep over in Richmond. Sir David has often spoken about his love of Richmond Park, which featured in one of his recent programmes, and I imagine plenty of us have wandered through there at some point — possibly with a buggy, a dog, or a slightly overpriced ice cream in hand.

It did make me stop for a minute and think how lucky we are around here. When the kids are climbing the walls, the dog’s doing laps of the kitchen, the dishwasher’s overflowing, and you’re two minor inconveniences away from completely giving up… we’ve got rivers, parks and green spaces right on the doorstep to escape to.

These days they call it “forest bathing”… although in Britain that can sometimes just mean getting caught short behind a tree on a long walk 🌳

Welcome back to the Bee diaries!

What started a couple of weeks ago with Ashley desperately trying to track down some proper local honey has now somehow led me into the fascinating world of beekeeping, hidden hives and thousands upon thousands of tiny flying syrup makers tucked away beside West Molesey Rec.

After last week’s messages from readers pointing me towards local honey suppliers, I was then contacted by lovely Nugget reader Jane, who I buzzed on the phone about the mysterious little bee haven known as The Mole Apiary.

Now first things first… what actually is honey?

In very simple terms, bees collect nectar from flowers, store it in a special honey stomach, then bring it back to the hive where it’s passed between worker bees, broken down with enzymes and gradually turned into the thick golden honey we know. The bees then store it inside wax honeycomb cells and fan it with their wings to remove moisture before sealing it up for later. Basically, bee chemistry mixed with an awful lot of flying about.

Tucked away just behind the fence as you walk down the path towards the playground at West Molesey Recreation Ground is The Mole Apiary, a surprisingly large local beekeeping site owned and managed by the Twickenham and Thames Valley Beekeepers Association. They’re responsible for the land, insurance and care of the bees there.

Jane, a Molesey local and member of the association, told me there are around 20 hives at The Mole Apiary, shared between roughly 10 beekeepers.

She first got into beekeeping in 2016 after attending a winter evening course in Twickenham. Like many hobbies, it started small… then escalated until she needed bees of her own.

Sadly, before anyone starts hopping the fence with a toast rack and a spoon, the apiary itself isn’t open to the public.

But there is good news for local honey fans. The Mole Apiary will once again have a stall at this year’s Molesey Carnival on Saturday 13 June, where you’ll be able to buy proper local honey made right here in Molesey. They also usually bring along a small perspex demonstration hive, offering a fascinating glimpse inside a real beehive without having to don a white bee suit and panic gently near 40,000 insects.

Jane explained that while honeybees are relatively well protected because they are carefully managed, many other pollinators — including bumblebees and solitary bees — are quietly declining.

These unsung garden heroes play a vital role in pollinating flowers, fruit and vegetables, helping our gardens and local wildlife to thrive.

Jane’s advice for helping them was beautifully simple: plant more.

Fill gardens, pots and balconies with bee-friendly flowers, and try to have something in bloom throughout the year. In other words, slightly less paving, slightly more pollen.

This week, local fitness duo Iryna and David have put together a brilliant video for Nugget readers featuring 10 exercises you can do at home — no special equipment required.

Whether you’re trying to get moving again, build a bit of strength, loosen up after sitting at a desk all day, or if you’ve simply convinced yourself that bending down to pick up the washing counts as mobility work, there’s something here for everyone.

The best bit? You don’t need a gym membership, fancy kit or loads of space — just a bit of motivation and perhaps a strong word with your hamstrings.

If you’d like to find out more about working with Iryna or David, they offer personal training, family and group fitness sessions, in person & online Pilates classes, plus fitness support for people of all ages and abilities — including older adults and those managing health conditions such as Parkinson’s.

You can find out more here:

In the end, the Liberal Democrats emerged as the clear winners across East Surrey, taking 40 of the 72 seats and securing overall control of the new council. In other words, they’ve got the keys to the new East Surrey machine and will be responsible for getting it up and running over the next year.

I’ve recently discovered Elmbridge U3A, and I have to say… it sounds absolutely brilliant.

Run entirely by volunteers, U3A (University of the Third Age) is for anyone who is no longer in full-time work and wants to keep learning, stay active and meet like-minded people. Think of it as a giant community of curious, enthusiastic people sharing their interests and passions.

And when I say interests, I mean everything.

In Elmbridge alone, there are over 100 groups covering everything from chess, bridge, German and French to art history, crafts, military history, aviation, theatre trips a wide range of sports, rambling, adventurous activities and pickleball — which sounds like an excellent way to spend your time, if you ask me.

Elmbridge U3A covers East and West Molesey, Claygate, Cobham, Weybridge and Walton, and has around 1,600 members.

My life’s ambition is to only work part-time, and although I’ve rather unhelpfully given myself an extra job by starting The Nugget, I’m definitely going to have to rein something in so I can start living my best U3A life. With over 100 groups to choose from, it really does sound like there’s something for everyone.

As if all that wasn’t enough, Elmbridge U3A is also organising the borough’s first ever Literary Festival, in partnership with the R C Sherriff Trust and Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre.

Running from 30 May to 7 June, the festival will feature talks by well-known crime writers, creative writing workshops, life story writing sessions, live storytelling, poetry, a literary walk exploring Walton’s rich connections to Three Men in a Boat and Lewis Carroll, plus a rare screening of a film by Walton’s silent movie pioneer Cecil Hepworth.

It sounds like a wonderful celebration of books, stories and local history.

More info:

💌 Do you know a local hero or a “Molesey magic” moment?

Reply to this email, and tell me more.

From coffee mornings to community fairs, here’s where Molesey gathers.

*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

Championship Ale & Craft Beer Festival – The Mute Swan, Hampton Court · Fri 15 – Sun 17 May · Over 50 beers and ciders, live music across the weekend and plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Free entry · More info

Wellbeing Walk at Painshill Park – Painshill Park · Sat 16 May, 10:30am–12pm · Free gentle guided walk in beautiful surroundings, designed to support wellbeing. Booking required · More info

Gather and Game – Bara Café, St Mary’s Church, East Molesey · Every Wednesday, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM · Free weekly board games, cards and conversation, open to all · More info

Sat 23 May
• Early Summer Mini Retreat – St Paul’s Church, East Molesey · 10:00 AM - 12:15 PM · More info
• Walton Community Festival – Walton-on-Thames · 12–4pm · More info
• Mamma Mia Sip & Paint – Crafty Pots, Walton · 3–5pm & 7–9pm · More info

Sat 06 Jun
• Flaming June: Wellbeing at Xcel Holistic Studio – Xcel Holistic Studio, Walton-on-Thames · 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM · More info

If you are heading to these events at Apps court, please use my link, as I earn some small pennies from your purchase🤗

Sat 11 Jul
• Boogietown Festival – Apps Court Farm, · More info

Sun 12 Jul
• Electric Heart Festival – Apps Court Farm, Flash sale tickets £28, only 250 available · More info

From toddler bounce sessions to midweek mischief, here’s what’s happening in and around Molesey

Bingo, Pizza & Prizes Night – St Albans School · Fri 15 May · Fun community bingo night hosted by Nugget super fan Jon, perfect for families, friends and new starters · More info

Esher May Fair – Esher Green · Sat 16 May, 12–4pm · Classic community fair with stalls, entertainment, funfair, food and a bar · More info

Hurst Park Primary School PTA Event – Hurst Park Primary School · Sat 16 May · 12pm - 3pm PTA community event - Colour fun · More info

Archery Club Open Day – Imber Court Sports Club, East Molesey · Sun 17 May, from 10:00 AM · Free taster sessions and a chance to try archery; family-friendly event for ages 8+ · More info

Sat 23 May
• Elmer the Elephant Day – Molesey Library · 11:00 AM · More info

Sun 24 – Mon 25 May
• Thames Ditton Miniature Railway Public Running Days – Willowbank, Thames Ditton · 1–4pm · More info

Tue 26 May
• Shout! Half-Term Activities – Hurst Park, East Molesey · 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM · More info

Various dates during half term
• Half-Term Sewing Classes – Sweet Seams Sewing Academy, East Molesey · More info

Wed 27 May
• Graffiti Art Workshop – Refresh Centre, East Molesey · 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM · More info
• Theme-Based Mask Making – Refresh Centre, East Molesey · 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM · More info

This section was getting a bit too big to keep here every week!

I’ve created a new page for regular /weekly activities, such as playgroups- Just CLICK HERE to view

Tomorrow evening I’ve been invited to the official opening of Waste to Plate — and not just the general opening, but the special preview for dignitaries and other important people. Quite how I managed to sneak onto that guest list remains something of a mystery, but I’m very excited to be there nonetheless.

It’s exactly the kind of project that reminds us how much can be achieved when local people roll up their sleeves and get stuck in (preferably before the food goes off).

I’ll report back next week and let you know whether I managed to mingle successfully with the dignitaries — or whether security politely escorted me out.

Have a wonderful weekend, it would be nice if the hail stones stopped….

Jules

Founder & Editor

(all the mistakes are mine!)

Email me [email protected] or find out more The Molesey Nugget

☕ send a one-off coffee Please click here

🔁 or support monthly Please click here