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.
Situated on the Lower Hampton Road, Thames Court, the HQ of the Salvation Army, is one of those local landmarks which has aroused the curiosity of residents over the years.
We are now invited to an open afternoon at these impressive premises between 1pm – 4pm on Saturday 1st July with a musical programme provided by the Staines Salvation Army band. All are welcome.
Despite falling on the hottest June day on record, our AGM attracted a large number of existing and new members. Unfortunately, due to the parliamentary debate on the Queen’s speech our guest speaker, Kwasi Kwateng MP, was unable to attend. This in no way detracted from a very informative evening with presentations by the Environment Agency to update us on the Thames Flood Relief Scheme; and by Colin Squire on the birth and history of his family’s garden centres.
As is customary, Our Chairman, Paul Thompson opened the AGM with his report. To view, click here
Night time street lights are being switched back on in Spelthorne from Thursday 22 June.
Although street lighting is the responsibility of the County Council, an agreement was made between the Leaders of Spelthorne Borough Council and Surrey County Council to reinstate night time lights in Spelthorne for an initial period of five years, on the understanding that the Borough Council would find the necessary funding.
This was approved by Surrey County Council's Cabinet on 30 May.
Cllr Ian Harvey, Leader of Spelthorne Council, said: “I am very pleased that we have been able to resolve this with the County Council. Lots of concerns were raised by residents about the switch off, many of whom are shift workers, so I am glad we have been able to respond to those concerns.”
The following email has been forwarded to LOSRA by Ashford North Residents’ Association:
Dear Residents
You may be aware the Blanche Heriot Unit at Ashford & St Peters is planned to close on 30th September 2017.
This will leave no level 3 Sexual Health Clinic in this area - the closest being several miles away in Guildford or Kingston. The replacement services are not as they purport to be and will not provide the same level of cover as the Blanche Heriot unit does.
If you would like to make you voice heard and support keeping the Blanche Heriot unit open then please sign the petition at https://www.change.org/p/keep-blanche-heriot-unit-at-st-peter-s-hospital-open
All three items will be collected by a new dedicated vehicle on the same day as recycling or rubbish but at a different time. A portion of the money from the textiles collected will be donated to a local charity.
Residents can check which day their collection is by typing their postcode in to My Spelthorne or by calling 01784 451499.
A leaflet with information and the new collection calendar was delivered to residents in May together with a roll of plastic food waste liners. Residents can also re-use bread bags, salad bags and plastic carrier bags, newspaper or compostable liners to line their caddy. The calendar will also be in the summer edition of the Bulletin.
Spelthorne MP Kwasi Kwarteng detained at Her Majesty's pleasure!
Actually, he was due to give the keynote address at the LoSRA AGM tomorrow evening, but as the Queen's Speech is delayed until Wednesday, he will have to attend the following debate and will be unable to speak at the AGM.
However, in anticipation of this, there are 2 excellent back-up speakers, one from the Environment Agency, on flooding alleviation, and Colin Squire, of Garden Centres fame, who is also President of the Sunbury & Shepperton Local History Society. The Riverside Arts Centre is air conditioned, so please come along at 8pm - it'll be really cool!
Spelthorne Borough Council has announced the introduction of electric vehicle charging points at two of its car parks in Staines-upon-Thames.
Six individual 7kW charging bays have been installed at Elmsleigh multi-storey car park and a dual 3.6kW charger which can charge two cars simultaneously at Tothill multi-storey. The charging bays are free to use* and customers simply download an app to get started.
There are currently over 100,000 plug in cars registered in the UK, a figure which is expected to grow significantly over the next ten years.
Cllr Nick Gething, Spelthorne’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Compliance, said: “The take-up of plug-in vehicles is growing all the time and we are very pleased to have added Spelthorne to the list of places where owners can ‘charge up’. As a council we are firmly committed to reducing carbon omissions and encouraging residents and visitors to choose greener, more sustainable, travel options.”
Visit https://open.pod-point.com/ or download the Pod Point app from your app store to get started.
The latest update on the Eco Park waste recycling plant at Charlton Lane has been forwarded to LOSRA.
Dates: Thursday 29th June - Saturday 1st July
Times: 8pm; Saturday Matinee at 3pm
Venue: The Riverside Arts Centre, 59 Thames Street, Lower Sunbury TW16 5QF.
This hilarious comedy filled with double entendres and misunderstandings is a show not to be missed.
Manor Players and Shepperton Players join forces for a second time as Riverside Players to present this play based on the popular 1970s sitcom.
The staff of the men's and ladies’ wear at the Grace Brothers department store prepare to sell German goods prior to departing on a staff holiday to Spain. Despite their thorough preparations for the trip, Captain Peacock, Mrs Slocombe, Mr. Humphries, Miss Brahms, Mr. Rumbold, Mr Grainger and Mr. Lucas find that things start going wrong as soon as they arrive at their one-star Mediterranean establishment.
Sue Ford directs a cast of regulars from Manor Players and Shepperton Players who are delighted to be taking on these much-loved characters, and bring you an evening of laugh-out-loud moments. Book ahead to secure your tickets at a discounted rate.
Tickets in advance: £10/adult, £9/concession
Tickets on the door: £12
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/ELGFDD
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - 07771 458 696 – www.sunburyriverside.co.uk
The next open meeting of the Patients’ Participation Group at Sunbury Health Centre will be held on Monday 19th June from 6.30 – 7.30pm.
The Mayor of Spelthorne, Cllr Vivienne Leighton, would like to extend an invitation to all residents of the borough, to come along and enjoy a special River Day on the Thames on Saturday 24 June.
Please come and join us at Beauclerc Infant & Nursery School Summer Fayre, 116 French Street, TW16 5LE for a fun packed afternoon for the whole family.
We are very excited this year to be able to offer a huge variety of entertainment such as pony rides, huge bouncy slide, fire engine (incident dependant), ice cream van, BBQ & licensed bar, tea & coffee, cakes, craft and game stalls, tombolas, raffle and some amazing goods being sold from local traders. In addition, we are extremely proud that our own school choir will be performing along with a children's performance from a local dance company.
Please help support your local school and come along, everyone welcome. Admission is £1 per adult and children are free.
Our AGM will take place at the Riverside Arts Centre, Thames Street, at 8pm on Wednesday 21st June.
The AGM Newsletter is currently with the printers and will be distributed to households within the Lower Sunbury area during the next couple of weeks.
If you prefer not to wait for your hand-delivered copy you may read it here
The next Music Night is next Friday 9th June, when Sunbury Cricket Club welcomes back BAD INFLUENCE, who were here early last year as part of their 30th anniversary celebrations – they’re one of the best and most popular blues/rock bands on the circuit and we’re delighted to have them back again this year.
BAD INFLUENCE are led by Val Hayes on vocals and guitar and Richard Hayes on lead/slide guitar, with Pete Stroud (formerly with Peter Green’s Splinter Group and familiar as bass player with Buddy Whittington) on bass, and Harry James (Thunder, Magnum) on drums. They play a distinctive brand of blues/rock, featuring material by the likes of Bonnie Raitt, Tom Petty and Fleetwood Mac along with original songs from their CDs, which are regularly featured on Paul Jones Radio 2 blues show. It will be a fine evening of archetypal Sunbury music night fare – food will be available as usual.
There’s more information on their web site at www.badinfluence.org.uk and the fliers for event may be seen here