Here’s what we’ve got for you this week:

You might think leopards are the stuff of safaris and nature documentaries, but a recent story suggests they could be a little closer to home.

Just over a week ago, a man claimed he was attacked by what he believes was a leopard while out walking in the Surrey Hills. He was left with claw-like injuries and says he’s certain a big cat was to blame.

Speaking to Surrey Live, he said: "I was walking along this hedgerow - which was about 20ft high and 8ft wide - and I spotted some movement through a gap. It realised it was a deer so I quietly moved towards the gap to take some photos.

"But all of a sudden the deer screeched and leapt through the hedge towards me - and I realised there was a large animal latched onto its back and side.

"They knocked me over and the deer fled but the thing landed on me and started clawing at my neck and shoulder. I went to push it away with my right hand and that's when I realised it was a huge cat. I think it was more shocked than I was.

"I sort of hit it and it ran off, and I was left lying there, dazed. And suddenly I realised I had blood coming down my arm and I looked and I had claw marks all over.”

It sounds like tabloid fodder, but it’s far from the first time people have reported mysterious beasts roaming our countryside.

And it got me thinking.

A friend once told me his mum swore she saw a panther rummaging through the bins behind the Rainbow Centre in Epsom. At the time, I laughed it off. But I shouldn’t have been so quick to dismiss her…

Because while digging into the subject, I stumbled across Surrey Panther Watch, which is a website dedicated to cataloguing big cat sightings across the county. Its founder, amateur investigator (and full time builder) Gary Ridley, has compiled dossiers of hundreds of encounters, even filing Freedom of Information requests to police and local councils.

According to him, Surrey is home to at least five large cats living wild within a 10-mile radius of Guildford. The reports describe everything from labrador-sized black cats (like panthers or pumas) to sandy-coloured lynx-like creatures.

So, what to make of it?

On one hand, there is in fact a mountain of eyewitness accounts nationwide stretching back to the 1960s. On the other, there’s zero conclusive evidence. No clear photos, no tracks, no bodies. Just scratches, stories, and self-styled sleuths. Oh, and some DNA.

So could Surrey’s green belt really be hiding something wild? Or is it all misidentified dogs, well-fed cats, and overactive imaginations?

Maybe the truth is prowling closer than we think…

Perhaps even behind the Rainbow Centre.

What do you reckon - urban legend, or wild reality? Have you spotted a mysterious moggy on the Downs? Let us know.

A few days ago, I stumbled upon a Reddit thread in r/surrey asking, “What’s the best thing about living in Epsom?” The responses were full of local pride: people raved about Epsom Common’s green space, the excellent train links into London, and the town’s genuine, relaxed vibe. Not just another London suburb, but a proper town with character.

Reading that sparked me to reflect on what’s captured my heart this week in Epsom:

First off, this place sits so beautifully on the cusp of city and country. This week, I ventured into both the Surrey Hills and downtown London, getting in my dose of fresh air and the buzz of city life all in one weekend. It really is the best of both worlds.

Then there’s the Picturehouse Cinema - a gorgeous, six-screen venue that’s more than just about the films; its café-bar offers fresh food, coffee, cocktails, and a cozy ambiance perfect for working or catching up over a latte. It’s quickly become one of my favourite spots, whether catching a matinee or settling in with my laptop over a coffee.

Speaking of cool spots, the Metropolis Food Hall is absolutely buzzing. With a rotating lineup of global street-food stalls, friendly staff, a lively yet relaxed atmosphere, and plenty of seating (not to mention board games and pool, too!), it’s become my go-to for laid-back social time. Plus, their bar serves cocktails, wine, and craft beers (which i had a few too many of last Friday).

On a quieter note, I spent a leisurely afternoon wandering Rosebery Park, where I ran into a local who told me her dog had recently gotten stuck in after chasing a duck into the mud of the dried-up pond. Dog walkers take note!

And I’ve also found unexpected joy tracing the local history, meandering through churches and graveyards, reading plaques, piecing together stories of Epsom’s past. I’m always delighted by what I uncover. It adds a wonderful layer of richness to my daily walks.

in short, this week - in which I’ve launched a local passion project (this newsletter!) - has been all about connection to my hometown. Epsom’s magic truly lies in that delicate balance: one step into urban energy, the next into tranquil green space; a coffee in a cinema café one moment, a stroll through centuries-old stones the next.

I’m cherishing it all.

And I hope you enjoy reading this newsletter each week as I explore more of what makes Epsom great.

Did you know: Epsom was originally recorded as Ebesham in the 10th century, likely deriving from a Saxon landowner named Ebba. The evolution of the name - from Ebesham to Epsom - unfolded across centuries.

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Till next time,