Welcome to the LOSRA Website
As with any other local neighbourhood, the policies and actions which affect the character and future of Lower Sunbury are generally framed and implemented by a combination of local and national government, along with the vested interests and market forces which operate within those frameworks. Lower Sunbury is by no means unique in being under threat from a creaking infrastructure brought about by rapid urban development, the growth of traffic, and other pressures affecting the quality of life and the character of the area.
Working with the local authorities, we see it as the responsibility of residents’ and amenity groups such as LOSRA to address the underlying issues which fundamentally affect their members’ lives, as well as the minutiae of everyday life with which such groups are often concerned.
Please sign up to receive our regular e-bulletins by subscribing via the facility at the top left hand of this page. It goes without saying that, without your continued support we would cease to function so we urge you to join, or renew your membership now Subscriptions (£5 per household) for 2024 are now payable.
Sunbury & Shepperton Arts Festival Less than a Week Away!
The next music event at Sunbury Cricket Club is on Saturday 19th July when Sunbury Cricket Club hosts a jazz night as part of the Sunbury & Shepperton Arts Festival. It’s promoted by the Arts Festival (see article of 23rd June below), who hold most of their events at the Riverside Arts Centre, but they have chosen to use the Cricket Club's rather more informal surroundings for their jazz event.
This year they present AFRO BLUE, a Brighton based band specialising in Latin and Afro-Caribbean-flavoured interpretations of modern and mainstream jazz styles. The band was originally the brainchild of percussionist Paul Burnett-Kirk, who has been a regular on the London and international jazz scene since the’50s. His musical influences range from Miles Davies, John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie and Thelonious Monk to George Gershwin & Cole Porter, and he specialises in bringing an Afro/Latin/Funk vibe to well-known tunes. The band comprises Andy Ferguson (sax & flute), Paul Chapman (vibes), Tony Williams (guitar), Nigel Broderick (keyboards), Steve Edwards (bass and Ed Hopewell-Ash on drums – they have all played extensively in the UK and abroad.
It promises to be another entertaining and somewhat different musical evening at the Club, and it's hoped that it will be well supported. Please note that the show starts earlier than their normal music nights, with the band on stage promptly at 8pm. Tickets are £10 on the door or in advance from the Sunbury & Shepperton Arts Festival Box Office on 01932 567365.
For more details of this year's events, visit: www.ssaa-arts.org
LOSRA 2014 AGM - Chairman's Report and Minutes
The Agenda for our AGM held on 25th June was circulated by way of a one page advertisement in the June edition of Sunbury Matters. If you were unable to attend you my wish to read the minutes of the Meeting; and the Chairman's address which represents a synopsis of the significant matters which have been occupying the Association's time during the last year.
To view Chairman's report, click here
Latest Progress Report on Sunbury Health Centre
Following on from our articles in the Autumn 2013 and Spring 2014 newsletters we are very pleased to report that The Patient Participation Group, on which LOSRA is represented, is working closely with the Health Centre to address the following issues:
At the last PPG meeting it was agreed that the meetings structure should change to facilitate better working links with the Sunbury Health Centre and that, in future, there will be a quarterly open PPG meeting where all patients are welcome to attend. The quarterly meeting will have a limited agenda to allow patients to raise general issues. The first of these meetings is scheduled for October (exact date to be confirmed). It was also agreed that the PPG Core Group will continue to meet monthly (except in August) with SHC staff to progress the many issues facing the Practice. This Core Group currently consists of 7 patients, the SHC Practice Manager, the SHC Office Manager and a SHC Doctor.
We are keen that the Core Group is representative of the community that SHC serves so we would like to increase the number of patient representatives to a maximum of 10. We are particularly keen to attract patients with young families or who are from an ethnic minority background.
If you feel you have skills and experience to offer that would help us work with SHC to improve services for all and are interested in joining the group, please fill in the application form (insert link) along with a short summary of your reasons for applying.
For more information, please visit the PPG Website at: www.sunburyhealthcentre-ppg.com
Keeping Kempton Green
Residents will be aware from recent extensive publicity both in our latest newsletters and on this Website, that proposals for the possible development of greenbelt land at Kempton Park is under active consideration.
A campaign group, headed up by one of our members, is currently keeping a very close watch on proceedings and has circulated a number of updates on what has been discovered. To access previous circulations and to keep in touch with future reports, please visit the Website and click on the 'Keep Kempton Green' button on the top of the Home Page.
Cows to be Introduced into Sunbury Park before the Autumn
The Council has confirmed that fencing in preparation for the introduction of cows to Sunbury Park, as part of the grassland and biodeversity management programme, will commence on 15th July.
The Head of Enviornmental Services for the Council met a representative from Natural England who was impressed by the size of the site and happy for the pilot scheme to go ahead. The pilot scheme is scheduled to last six months although it's envisaged that the cattle, arriving during the month of August rather than September as originally planned, will only be in the park for the first three months or so until about October, The earlier date will allow people to see how the cattle behave and we are assured that the docile breed of Belted Galloways are already used to dogs.
As for the general welfare of the cows, a water bowser will be provided during the period of the pilot so as not to invest in an expensive water supply before the results of the trial period become known. Additionally, the farmer will check the cows regularly and the Council has asked the Friends of Sunbury Park to keep an eye on things, and report back on any unforeseen hazards.
This Association is well aware of the controversy generated by the plan to introduce cows into our favourite dog-walking public park, and this has been widely reported in both the local press, this Website; and our e-bulletins and newsletters. The comments posted on our Website (see articles of 21st January and 7th March) give a flavour of public feeling and it will be seen that there is both widespread support for the initiative and opposition. Whatever one's particular sympathies, we believe it's important that the pilot scheme be given a fair chance and with an open mind.
For answers to questions previously put to the Council, click here: www.spelthorne.gov.uk/article/6586/Cattle-in-Sunbury-Park
Sunbury Working Artists Welcome you to their Art Trail, 11th - 13th July
In the mid 1800's Henry Fantin Latour and James McNeil Whistler visited Lower Sunbury, staying with art dealer, Ruth Edwards and her artist husband Charles at Thames Bank House, now known as Monksbridge. Since then a thriving community of artists has existed in this wonderful riverside village. It was the idea of Daphne Clement, a well known local water colourist, to acknowledge the many artists working here; hence Sunbury Working Artists was formed. The Art Trail is an invitation to all to visit artists now working and exhibiting in studios in Lower Sunbury.
For more information, click here: http://www.sunburyworkingartists.com/news/
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The Red Cross Appeals for Support Volunteers in Surrey
LOSRA has received the following email appeal from the Red Cross and is pleased to reproduce it here:
Can you help?
Can you spare a couple of hours a week to support someone at home recovering from illness or an accident. A number of people are in this position without someone nearly who can give this help.
The support Volunteers from the Red Cross in Surrey provide includes rebuilding confidence companionship, essential shopping, collecting prescriptions and transport to hospital or doctor’s appointments. This support lasts for up to six weeks and often includes finding other organisations that can help. By this time, hopefully, the individual has recovered enough to cope at home. If necessary they will be helped to find continued support.
We urgently need more volunteers in Surrey, particularly in your area. Volunteers take part in a comprehensive training programme and undergo personal interviews and DBS checks. As a volunteer you will need good interpersonal skills and an understanding of the differing physical and emotional needs of the people you help.
If you think you can help we would be delighted to hear from you.
Becoming a Red Cross Volunteer is a rewarding experience. You will become a member of an organisation pledged not to ignore anyone in a crisis.
You can apply to become a volunteer by telephone: 02392 894 202 or through the Red Cross website: www.redcross.org.uk/getinvolved
Alan Darby's Guitars de Luxe Make Debut at SCC on 4th July
The next Music Night at Sunbury Cricket Club falls on Friday 4th July, when the Club welcomes a brand new band to the circuit in ALAN DARBY’S GUITARS DE LUXE. Regular visitors to the Club are known to enjoy seeing really top class blues and rock guitarists, so SCC is putting on a show which boasts three of them!
Some of you will have seen Alan Darby when he played at the Club last year with The Lee Ryder Band, and ended the evening with a rousing guitar battle with Lee’s regular guitarist Deezal Martin. Guitars Deluxe reveal gloriously diverse backgrounds having shared stages and recording studios as well as writing credits with many of music greats. The guitarists are Alan Darby (Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, Van Morrison, Robert Palmer), Jake Zaitz (Mick Jagger, Joe Louis Walker, Dana Gillespie, Ian Siegal), Artie Zaitz (Pee Wee Ellis, Earl Green, Alex Garnett, Gary Crosby), complemented by the cool rhythm section including Matt Round on bass (Jeff Lynn, James Morrison, Billy Bragg), and Evan Jenkins on drums (Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger, Matt Schofield).
Alan enjoyed playing at the Club and thought it would be an excellent venue to visit in the band’s early life before they target bigger stages, so we are getting something of an inside track on a very interesting new outfit and the chance to see some top players in action – and before their Eel Pie Club debut in September. It should a great night.
The Sunbury & Shepperton Arts Association Announces Programme for 2014 Arts Festival
The Sunbury & Shepperton Arts Association is delighted to announce the programme for the Arts Festival 2014.
With the exception of an evening of jazz at Sunbury Cricket Club, all events will be held at the Riverside Arts Centre, 59 Thames Street, Lower Sunbury.
Several lectures and demonstrations are included in the programme of events covering subjects as diverse as local history, acrylic painting, flower arrangement and crossword compilation. An evening of scenes from Shakespeare accompanied by Elizabethan music and song, a screening of The African Queen by Shepperton Studios, two afternoon concerts (including cream tea) and a concert of music arranged for the Kew Wind Orchestra complete the programme.
To see a list detailing all the events, click here
Pre-performance dining
Little Italy, 71 Thames Street (just two minutes walk from the Riverside Arts Centre) will open for meals prior to the Festival events on 17 and 18 July. Please call 01932 787840 to reserve your pre-theatre table.
Geoffrey Bowyer says farewell
The SSAA is also promoting Geoffrey Bowyer's last concert with Cantanti Camerati (in aid of the Church Buildings Fund). This will be held in St Mary's Church, Sunbury on 12 July at 7.30pm. Ticket requests should be directed to the Cantanti Camerati Box Office on 020 8898 8020.
Booking for the Festival is now open - please telephone the Box Office on 01932 567 365 to book your tickets.
You can also visit us on our website www.ssaa-arts.org
We look forward to seeing you in July!
Sunbury & Shepperton Arts Association
Twitter: @SunShepArts Facebook: SunburySheppertonArtsClub
Did You Witness this Dog Attack?
On Thursday 20th June, a local resident was walking with her dog, Jake, in Avenue Parade. The dog, a Lhasa Apso/poodle cross, was attacked by a staffordshire bull terrier that had been left unattended and tied up to a mobile signage outside Budgens. Both the dog and the resident were injured as a result.
The owner of the beige and white coloured terrier was himself apparently very upset by what his dog had done and left his contact number with the manager of the newsagents. Unfortunately when rung this number proved to be incorrect.
There were a number of people in Avenue Parade helping the lady that day, for which she is very grateful, but if anyone knows this man, or has any information to help identify him please get in touch via the 'Contact' button at the top of the Home Page.
Open Day at St. Mary's Church, 28th June
St Mary's Church will be holding an Open Day on Saturday 28th June.
"Come and join us for TEA ON THE LAWN (if weather inclement inside the church).
Bring your friends and family between 1.00pm and 4.00pm for a cup of tea and a piece of cake. Everyone is welcome."
Council set to tackle unauthorised boat mooring
Riverside residents in Lower Sunbury may be interested to know that Spelthorne Council is stepping up enforcement action to tackle the problems created by boats mooring on the Thames in certain parts of the Borough.
Residents of Ryepeck Meadow and Council owned land near the Red Lion pub in Shepperton have been battling problems caused by boat owners mooring and discharging waste from their boats.
Cost-effective and timely enforcement of unauthorised moorings on the Thames is an issue which the River Thames Alliance and Environment Agency have been grappling with for some time and earlier in the year the Environment Agency completed a six month pilot scheme using specialised contractors to enforce mooring restrictions in Elmbridge and Oxford.
Following the success of this pilot, Spelthorne Council will be the first local authority to take up this new innovative enforcement method. Signage is being introduced to warn boat owners of the mooring restrictions and, following warnings; enforcement action will be taken against those who ignore the conditions.
If it's not floods, its thieves plaguing the Riverside!
The following report from Waters Edge is published here to encourage extra vigilance amongst our riverside residents. These thefts may prove to be isolated and opportunistic but experience tells us that, once an area has been identified as profitable for thieves, there is a high risk that they will return.
Between 1am and 5am on Thursday 12th June 2014 offender/s stole a brand new grey Tohatsu 9.9hp marine engine from a boat moored at Lower Sunbury in vicinity of the Lower Hampton Road.
Between 6pm Wednesday 11th and 4pm Thursday 12th June 2014 a gate was broken, a vehicle driven in and a black outboard motor stolen from a boat on the bank of the River. A metal 'A' frame was also previously stolen from this location.
A 4hp outboard engine was also stolen from a shed in Lower Sunbury around the 14th May.
Sunbury and Shepperton Flood Meeting, 6th June at St. Mary's Church Hall
Further to the preceding article (10th June) David Murphy of the Environment Agency addressed concerned residents who flocked to the meeting arranged by Monica Chard of Village Matters on June 6th to hear about plans for the River Thames Scheme. MP Kwasi Kwarteng was also in attendance along with local councillors.
At the conclusion of the meeting David kindly offered to send the slides which he had used for the presentation. These have now been received and may be viewed by clicking here.
We will be following this issue closely in coming months.
