Molesey Residents Association

Elmbridge Council’s public halls, including Vine Hall, have been closed since March as a result of the coronavirus epidemic, and the Council has been assessing their condition to see what might need to be done to allow them to reopen. We were dismayed by their findings that significant expenditure would be needed to equip Vine Hall for regular use in the long-term, and by reports that it might not be viable to reopen it when the coronavirus crisis ends. Following these reports MRA Councillors pressed strongly for assurances about both the immediate future of Vine Hall, its position over the longer-term. In taking forward these discussions a petition arranged by the Save Vine Hall Action Group containing over 1500 signatures was very helpful in raising awareness of the strength of local support for the Hall, and the determination of the community to retain it.

The Council agreed at a full meeting in December to engage actively with the residents of Molesey on options for enabling Vine Hall to reopen again when it is safe to do so, including the possibility of the hall reopening as a community-run facility. That consultation process is expected to begin shortly, and we will update residents via our website when there is more news. The Council also agreed that any consideration of options for the Vine Hall site in the longer-term must include a modern, replacement community facility, and must also protect the position of the 2nd Molesey Scouts Group, whose Scout Hut is next to the hall.

The Royal Parks have been trialling changes to the road access through Bushy Park which involved closing the through route from Hampton Court to Teddington. The Royal Parks ran a consultation on the proposals during November and December and will be considering the responses with a view to publishing their conclusions in February. The closure of the road through the Park has had a considerable impact on residents of Molesey who regularly travel to Teddington, and it has led to an increase in the volume of traffic going up to Kingston Bridge and round the Park, a route which is often logjammed at busy periods. We have established that, surprisingly, neither Elmbridge Borough Council nor Surrey County Council were formally consulted by the Royal Parks on these proposals.

MRA Councillor Stuart Selleck has contacted the Royal Parks in his capacity as Leader of Elmbridge Council about the impact of the proposed changes on residents living in the surrounding area, and the lack of any consultation with the local Councils who represent them. He has called for them to defer any decision on any permanent changes, or the possible extension of the trial, to allow both Elmbridge Borough Council and Surrey County Council an opportunity to assess the proposals and their implications in detail.

MRA Cllr Ernest Mallett has once again completed Winter re-planting of the two gardens on the East Molesey Police Station Green, the Bridge Road Horse Trough and the flowers at the two Molesey War Memorials. He also arranged for the traditional MRA Christmas Tree to be placed on the Police Station Green and worked with the Molesey Business Association and Paul at the Molesey Pet Shop to put up the large Christmas Tree outside the Musicland shop, with the help of the shop owners who supply the electricity for the lights. We would like to acknowledge the grant of around £400 which the Business Association obtained from Surrey County Council to pay for the Christmas Tree and new lights. We also again used the delightful fairy made by a young girl in West Molesey.

We all have one relative or friend who believes everything they read on the internet and is convinced that COVID 19 is a hoax and the Government is using the vaccines to implant us with microchips. How do you talk to someone like that? First be kind. It's actually a very human response to look for patterns in events, and to develop and believe in conspiracy theories. We’re primed to be suspicious of things that can’t be easily explained. Be respectful, even if you think the other person is completely bonkers Almost no-one has ever been ridiculed into changing their mind. In the same vein, avoid publicly shaming them. Reach out and speak or message privately. This prevents embarrassment and implies a genuine interest in conversation. Ask 'What would it take for you to change your mind?' If they reply, 'Nothing will ever make me change my mind,' it's probably best to take them at their word and change the subject. Sometimes it’s not worth the effort. Use questions to help others probe their own views. This is often the best way to change someone’s mind. The way to do this is to engage, then gently and politely question, pointing out inconsistencies in their arguments and allowing them to respond, until you hit a dead-end. Research has shown that this tactic prevents people feeling attacked. Always evaluate your relationship with the person. If it's a misguided family member who you love dearly, it's often best to let it go. The relationship is the bigger prize. And even one little conversation might just be enough to get them thinking.