It's not long until #LoveMolesey and the team are busy finalising details for a huge range of projects. So far they already have cleanup projects, opportunities to make a difference in our local schools, care homes and the day centre, tea parties for seniors, a fun games night for young people and even a history walk along the towpath. Over the coming weeks they'll be announcing lots of others so keep checking the website www.lovemolesey.org to find out more.
On Tuesday 13th March they'll be holding their launch event, during which you will have the opportunity to hear from the organising team all about the vision behind #LoveMolesey and what’s coming up. You will also have the chance to meet many of the team leaders to learn more about the different projects which will be running over the course of the 4 weeks and how you can get involved. Refreshments will be available, we look forward to seeing you there!
Yes that is a chrome guitar, and yes the only other time you may have seen one like it was on the cover of Brothers In Arms by Dire Straits!
The shop has an extremely welcoming feel, and you are instantly greeted by some amazing instruments (and musicians).
The workbench where James repairs and maintains instruments.
As soon as you enter the shop your are welcomed by the relaxed and unpolished vibe that is clearly perfect for the creative nature of teaching and experimenting with music. There is an array of stringed instruments that line the walls, along with amplifiers, straps, leads and retro festival posters amongst other things. The entire building is charming, even down to the work bench where James repairs and maintains their customer's instruments.
One of the teaching rooms at Musicland East, just look at those posters! How could you not be inspired!
Thats right. Thats a guitar made around a motor oil can. They are even cooler in real life!
Whilst there is a clear emphasis on the technical and theoretical side of music, the teaching/ practise rooms continue the relaxed vibes within the shop, and the staff have a superb knowledge of their respective crafts. This makes for a perfect, pressure free learning environment for any aspiring musicians, whether it be guitar, piano, or drums, this has to be one of the most charming and inspirational places to learn.
We asked James a few questions whilst we were there, we hope you enjoy reading what he had to say, and we've included contact details at the end of this article in case you want to start (or continue!) a passion for music at Musicland East.
How long has Musicland East been in Molesey for?
Since 1996, so about 22 years on the corner of Matham Road and Walton Road.
What services and products do you offer?
We do a lot of teaching here, with guitar, bass, drums, piano and ukelele lessons going seven days a week, out of four teaching rooms. We also stock new and second hand instruments and accessories, and I carry out repairs and setups on string instruments on site as well.
What is it that you like about working in Molesey and the general community?
The people are cool and really get behind stuff. There's quite a few open mic nights in the area and we've had a massive response to our larger Musicland Live events, which give our students the opportunity to get together into bands and have them perform on a proper stage and gain some experience. Its' a great evening and we always sell hundreds of tickets, and it can only grow off the back of the community that supports it. Luckily, Molesey has a great one!
What's your top tip for someone looking to get into music/learning an instrument?
Get a reasonable instrument but don't break the bank yet, make sure it's set up and tuned correctly, and play everyday for the love of it so you advance naturally. My main instrument is the guitar and there's such a range of approaches and styles you can play in and so much advice out there, but play the music you love to hear and you'll be on the right track.
What is your favourite thing about your job?
We get a real opportunity to make a difference. The shop meant a lot to me growing up, and I can see it means a lot to some of our younger students now. The community atmosphere gives way to the tendency to dream big, and it's great to have a shop full of musicians and those who support them, seven days a week, in a community that lets it thrive.
52-54 Walton Road, East Molesey, Surrey, KT8 0DL
0208 979 9443
musiclandeast@hotmail.com
We were very happy when we were invited to sponsor The Orchard Derby at the Conservative Club on Walton Road, after sponsoring the school's Christmas Fair last year with a fantastic response from local parents of children at the school, we couldn't wait to help out again!
The evening consisted of lots of laughter, alcohol and food which for us is a winner every time! Especially when it helps to raise funds for the school.
We look forward to the next event and hope our close working relationship with The Orchard School will continue to grow.
As always, thanks to the parents and local commutinty for their continued support. We have heard from many residents that our service is a "breath of fresh air" which let's us know we're on the right track in achieving what we set out to do in opening a local, online and full service estate agent in Molesey.
Having tried (more than once and counting!) the recentley opened Cavan Bakery on Walton Road in East Molesey we just had to write a blog about this brilliant bakery. Commercial manager Suze Drew was kind enough to speak with us…
Cavan Bakery sells hand crafted bread, baked through the night, traditional buns, cakes, hot savouries, freshly made sandwiches and great coffee!
We are primarily bread specialists, having been baking since 1929. We have been trading since 1929 and the business is now run by the third generation of the Cavan family.
The business is run on a day to day basis by Managing Director, Jeff Greenall (husband of Sarah Cavan, granddaughter of David Cavan who started the business in 1929), Sales & Catering Director, Wendy Paterson and Suze Drew, Commercial Manager.
Since relocating our main bakery and Head Office from Hampton Hill to Molesey in 2012, we have been looking for a suitable site for a shop. When looking for the right site, we need to consider footfall, parking etc and although on the tiny side, 83 Walton Road is on the school run route, has a bus stop right outside and is a popular thoroughfare for tradesmen needing a good lunch whilst visiting Trade Paints, the Electrical shop and DIY shop. It is a tight community of supportive residents and other traders, keen to see businesses succeed so a good site for our 8th family-owned shop.
I am biased as I live in Molesey so knew a great local bakery is just what (I) and everyone else needed! Molesey is a small village where everyone knows everyone and word of mouth is key – it's a special place where residents will support local businesses if they're giving people the products and service they want. Everyone who lives in Molesey that I know is keen to make the High Street as appealing as possible with as many thriving independent traders as possible.
Choose a FREE bun with every freshly ground coffee or hot chocolate purchased before 10am.
Start a sandwich loyalty card and receive a stamp for every sandwich/filled roll/filled bap purchased – every 10th sandwich is FREE!
Buy 4 cakes and choose a 5th for FREE (offer doesn't include jam doughnuts).
Cavan Bakery, 83 Walton Road, East Molesey, Surrey, KT8 0DP
Tel 020 8941 5512
Open 7am – 4.30pm Mon to Fri and 7.30am – 4.00pm Sat
Want to feature your local business in Molesey? It's completely free to do so!
Call 0208 396 6717 or email len@newtonhuxley.co.uk
Molesey residents will no doubt know The Buttonhole Florist on Bridge Road in East Molesey, we were fortunate enough to meet owner and long term Molesey resident Denise Hamer and her dog Elsa!
The Buttonhole was opened in 1947 by Mrs Maisie Pilgrim, and has always been a family run business. Her son took over when Maisie retired and I have owned the shop for 5 years having worked for the Pilgrims for 25 years.
We have a wide selection of fresh flowers and plants which are delivered straight from Holland to cover all occasions.
I have lived in Molesey nearly all my life and is a wonderful place to live and work with so much to offer and the people in Molesey are so friendly with a real feel of village community spirit about it.
Do you have a special occasion coming up? Visit Denise and Elsa at The Buttonhole Florist!
117 Bridge Road, East Molesey, Surrey, KT8 9HT
Tel: 0208 979 3694 / 0208 979 9793 Email: sales@buttonhole.co.uk
Want to feature your local business in Molesey? It's completely free to do so!
Call 0208 396 6717 or email len@newtonhuxley.co.uk
The Jewel Box in East Molesey has been established since 1976. Here's what owners Vera and Andina told us about their charming shop.
"We sell 9ct gold and silver jewellery, pulsar and lorus watches, handbags, costume jewellery, purses, wallets, scarves, seiko clocks, photo frames, candles and believe it or not…. so much more!"
"Watch and Jewellery repairs are our main focus. This includes watch straps, batteries, restringing pearls and beads and clock repairs."
"Next year we will be celebrating our 40th year of trading. My mother and father came to Molesey from Blackheath, London in 1976."
"My mother, Vera and myself (Andina)."
"It's our family business. Coming from London, Molesey certainly is a nicer, friendly and safer environment."
We love the fact it has a village feel, and our customers have been coming to us for so many years, we have their children as customers as well!
Call them on 0208 941 1766 or 07702 020 652
Email at thejewelbox113@hotmail.com
Get your business featured here for free! Contact us.
Will you show your support? Karen Lamb of West Molesey is fundraising for the Princess Alice Hospice with a target of £3000. She has already raised nearly £500.00 of her target and is training hard. Her heart felt story of what inspired her to take on this challenge is below along with details of how to donate.
"Three years ago, my partner Mike and I were leading a normal, happy life together when everything changed. Mike was diagnosed with esophageal cancer at the age of 50. Three weeks later, on New Year’s Eve, he died.
Mike didn’t have the chance to benefit from the wonderful care of the Princess Alice Hospice. I want to raise money so that this care is available to as many people as possible who find themselves in a similar position.
My name is Karen, I am 48 years old and I work in the Retail Department of Princess Alice Hospice.
A few months ago, the only reason I would get on my bike was to cycle to the pub! Now I’m training to do a 10 day, 500km cycle from Vietnam to Cambodia.
If you’d like to help me to achieve my goal, please donate whatever you can to this wonderful organisation.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story."
If you would like to make a donation please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/Karensbikechallenge/
Best of luck Karen!
If you live in Molesey, you'll know about Molesey Pets and Aquatic Centre. Here's what owner Paul Davidson told us about his locally renowned pet shop.
Everything to do with your pet or aquatic needs. We also offer an outdoor aquatic service which includes ponds and water features etc.
40 years! I was born in Molesey and my family has always had businesses here.
I do all of the leg work, Chris the Cockatoo takes on more of a "meet and greet" role with the customers.
It's still a village, so many areas close by are built up and have changed dramatically where as Molesey has retained its community feel.
Molesey Pets and Aquatic Centre, 69 Walton Road, East Molesey, Surrey, KT8 0DP
Tel: 0208 979 9083
moleseypets@gmail.com
Want to feature your business in Molesey? Contact us or call 0208 396 6717.
Welcome to the first edition of the Molesey Business Blog, this week we were lucky enough to speak to Matt and Tammy at Belle Epoque. Here's what they told us about their wonderful shop and how it came to be.
Belle Epoque opened in Walton Road in 2005 as an antique and vintage furniture shop, but over the past 10 years we have diversified to include our hugely popular antique chandeliers which have been shipped across the world, alongside other ranges which are focussed at the local community such as our selection of toys, books, home fragrance and jewellery.
We opened in Molesey as it was where Tammy had grown up and her step-father had run a very successful antiques business in Bridge Road for a number of years. We believed in the benefits of being part of a community and now are very pleased to offer products from a number of local highly talented creatives. Matt also plays an important role in the Molesey Business Association.
We source antique and vintage furniture and decorative items and restore them in house, which allows us to offer our customers a very bespoke service. This is one of the key features that sets us apart from other vintage traders.
Over the past 8 years Matt has been very much at the front of the business, however with the children now at school Matt is going to retire into his workshop and let Tammy take over the running of the shop.
We still love being part of the Molesey community alongside our fellow retailers and our lovely customers. It is important to support local businesses but on the same hand if they aren’t offering what you’re looking for, tell them! Every shop owner needs feedback and the smart ones act on it quickly. Some of our best decisions have been as a direct result of customers requests and we take on board everything we hear.
– Matt & Tammy Court –
020 8941 9269 | enquiries@belleepoque.me.uk
twitter – @BelleEpoqueShop
Want to feature your business in Molesey? Contact us or call 0208 396 6717.
After we spotted these photos on the East and West Molesey Group on Facebook, we couldn't help but ask West Molesey resident Craig Allnutt if we could post a blog about them and how he was able to capture these spectacular images.
"I live in Hight Street, West Molesey and moved to Molesey from Addleston around 5 years ago when I married my partner."
"With a celestron telescope and dedicated astro camera. Each picture can take anywhere from 3-15 hours of total exposure time."
"I first got into astronomy when my Dad showed me Haley's Comet outside our house back in the 80's. I started just by imaging the moon and planets and then about two years ago, I decided to take the plunge in to deep sace photography"
"I would have to say the people, it seems like a close community and there is always something to do such as taking a stroll by The River Thames or visiting Hampton Court Palace and the surrounding gardens."
Below are the images Craig posted on line, we hope you find them as interesting as we did!
Located some 2400 light years away (1 light year is around 5.88 trillion miles) in the constellation Cepheus.
Located 5,000 light years from Earth this nebula has an approximate diameter of 50 light years.
One of the brightest nebulae in The Milky Way, this nebula is 24 light years wide and can be seen with the naked eye from Earth.
At 7500 light years away, the Heart Nebula is located in the constellation Cassiopeia. The intense red output is generated by radiation eminated from a small group of stars near its centre