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.
Can You Help a Local Student with her Research?
A local student at the Geography Department of Durham University is undertaking her dissertation on food quality and has asked LOSRA if we can help at the data collation stage.
She requires a short anonymous survey to be completed with the more data, the better.
She is particularly interested, though not exclusively, in responses for the over 65s. If you would like to help this student, please click here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MMY2MMB
Sunbury Cricket Club is Calling on All Supporters
The Royal London Club Championship - National Final - Sunbury CC v Sandiacre Town CC
Following the Club's fabulous win on Sunday against Brentwood CC (scorecard here) in the National Knockout Cup we have reached the final. Our opponents are Sandiacre Town CC from Derbyshire.
The match is being held on the Gloucestershire county ground in Bristol on Sunday week, 14th September. The start is at 11:00am.
We should like to enable as many members and supporters as possible to attend the match to support the Club and are therefore arranging a supporters' coach - or coaches.
It is a journey of approximately two hours and 30 minutes with a stop midway, and we need to make some allowance for any hold ups
The coach(es) will be ready for boarding at the Club by 7:30am and, after allowing for any stragglers and last minute adjustments to clothing, it will depart at 7:45am precisely.
To Book The Coach:
Contact Tony Schaffer by Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Bookings Taken Now. Final numbers needed this Sunday evening 7th September.
Approximately £20 per person
The Kempton Park Plot That Just Won't Go Away
Readers of this Site may also have received our local magazine, Sunbury Matters but for those who haven't, LOSRA contributed the following article for the August edition: click here
The September edition featured a reply from one of our local County and Borough Councillors, Tim Evans: click here
In normal circumstances this exchange of views would have been the end of the matter but, regrettably in this case, to say nothing would be to signify acceptance, and it gives us no pleasure in having to publish a robust evidence-based rebuttal.
Day by day, week by week, the narrative has gathered momentum; one by one, the jigsaw pieces have fallen into place. They make a picture. Accordingly, LOSRA's Vice Chairman with the support of our Committee penned the following reply to Cllr. Evans's September article: click here
Cllr. Evans replied as follows: click here
Readers are asked to make up their own minds as to the merits of our respective positions. You may also wish to keep up to date via the KKG button on the top of the Home Page.
Spelthorne raises more objections to Eco Park proposal
Spelthorne Borough Council has raised further objections to the Eco Park proposal at Shepperton.
Surrey County Council will make a decision at its Planning and Regulatory Committee on 24 September on 46 changes its contractor, SITA, wants to make. However, it has been required to consult again on whether further issues have arisen.
Spelthorne Council has presented new information as part of the consultation. This includes recently published research from Public Health England on the impact of particulate air pollution, highlights from Surrey’s report on traffic congestion, the Council’s latest air quality monitoring results and the implications of the site being in a designated Smoke Control zone.
Cllr Vivienne Leighton, Cabinet Member for Planning, said: “This is yet another step in a long and protracted saga in which Surrey County Council and SITA are seeking to plague the lives of residents in Shepperton, Sunbury, Charlton Village and Upper Halliford. We have taken and will continue to take all reasonable steps to stand up for our residents and prevent this monstrous and unwelcome proposal.”
Cllr Richard Smith-Ainsley, ward councillor for Laleham and Shepperton Green, added: "This is a good example of local councillors working with their residents for the benefit of the community."
Free entry to the Council's Leisure Directory 2015
Spelthorne Council is currently compiling the 2015 Leisure Directory which contains information on sporting and other active lifestyle activities, social clubs and organisations, play and youth activities. The Leisure Directory is available from leisure centres and libraries as well as online at www.spelthorne.gov.uk/leisuredirectory
Entry into the Leisure Directory is free. If you run a club, play session, group or youth activity and would like to be included then please let us have your details. Simply complete the online form at http://www.spelthorne.gov.uk/leisuredirectory or call Leisure Services on 01784 446433.
The deadline for receipt of entries is Friday 3 October 2014.
Mick Underwood's Glory Road Comes to Sunbury CC, 5th September
Sunbury Cricket Club kicks off the Autumn/Winter music nights on Friday 5th September with MICK UNDERWOOD’S GLORY ROAD, and an evening of high class rock to get things going with a bang.
Mick is one of great drummers in British rock, whose career goes back more than half a century to his days with The Outlaws in the early ‘60s alongside future Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore and Chas Hodges, later of Chas & Dave. Apart from making records in their own right, they were the house band at the Holloway Road studios of legendary innovative producer Joe Meek, playing on dozens of his productions including hits like Heinz “Just Like Eddie”.
The Club is absolutely delighted to be able to welcome an artist of Mick’s stature to Sunbury, and we can guarantee a rousing night of quality rock to kick of the season. There’s more information about the band at www.mickunderwoodsgloryroad.com and we also urge you to have a look at Mick’s own website at www.mickunderwood.com, where there is a comprehensive biography, and full listings of his own discography and sessions he has played on – it makes for fascinating reading.
More...
Our June’s Wedding - Celebratory Theatre Comes to Lower Sunbury
Spelthorne Council is bringing an exciting and free piece of celebratory theatre to Lower Sunbury for one day only, on Saturday 6 September, 2pm. Our June’s Wedding is a play about family, celebration, love and tradition (with time travel... and cake!).
Set amongst the pomp and ceremony of an English wedding in the Surrey Countryside, we meet our characters ... Richard the nervous groom, Hilary his formidable mother, Peter the proud father of the bride, and of course June, our blushing bride-to-be. But Our June’s Wedding is a little bit different as the wedding guests are the audience, making this a very special experience for all who come along. The play is suitable for all ages, lasts about 45 minutes and there’s no need to book.
Please note that the play moves from location to location and the audience with it - starting at the Riverside Arts Centre, 59 Thames Street and finishing at the Walled Garden which is a five minute walk away.
The play has been created, developed and presented by theatre company Theatre Exchange with funding from National Lottery through Arts Council England, Grants for the Arts, Arts Partnership Surrey and Farnham Maltings.
Family Craft workshop
In preparation for the performance the Council is running a free family craft workshop on Thursday 4 September at Riverside Arts Centre, 3.30 – 6.30pm. All ages are welcome. Spaces are limited so to book your place or find out more information please contact Leisure Services on 01784 446433 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Flu Vaccination Clinics
Patients registered with the Sunbury Health Centre, Green Street may wish to note the following dates/times for flu vaccination clinics which are by appointment only:
- 4 October 8.30 - 12.00
- 11 October 8.30 - 12.00
- 18 October 8.30 - 12.00
- 25 October 8.30 - 12.00
Who's Eligible:
- OVER 65?
- or HEART DISEASE?
- or DIABETES?
- or ASTHMA?
- or LUNG DISEASE?
- or SPLENECTOMY?
- or LIVER DISEASE?
- or REGISTERED CARER
- or PREGNANT
PROTECT YOURSELF - BOOK AN APPOINTMENT - TEL 01932 713399
Spelthorne Crime Summit
Surrey's Police and Crime Commissioner is inviting residents to attend the Spelthorne Crime Summit being held on Thursday 4 September at Spelthorne Council's Offices in Knowle Green.The event starts at 7pm, with refreshments available from 6.30pm.
The evening will provide residents with an opportunity to share their views on crime and policing in their local area and brings together local partners, including Spelthorne Borough Council, Surrey Police, Surrey County Council and the Crime Commissioner's Office. It's a chance to hear what Surrey's Crime Commissioner has been doing over the last twelve months to address the local issues, learn more about community safety work in your local area and discuss ways to make Surrey an even safer place to live and work. The Summit will be two hours long and refreshments will be provided.
Space is limited at these events and attendance is by registration only, so please do reply early if you would like to take part. You can register to attend the event in a number of ways. The easiest way is to register online at http://spelthornecrimesummit.eventbrite.co.uk/. Alternatively, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01483-630200.
BBC Sussex and Surrey Seek Community Heroes Award Nominations
The following email has been received by LOSRA from Mark Carter, Awards Co-ordinator, BBC Sussex and BBC Surrey and we are pleased to reproduce it here:
Hi,
I wanted to let you know that we are now seeking nominations for this year’s BBC Sussex and BBC Surrey Community Heroes Awards.
Now in its fourth year, and firmly established as a local celebration of the area’s unsung heroes, this is the perfect opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of people who go the extra mile.
Making a nomination couldn’t be easier. Simply choose one or more categories from the list below, then tell us who you would like to nominate and why. There is no limit on how many people you can nominate. All we ask is that your entries arrive by no later than Midnight on 19th October 2014.
Young Achiever - Awarded to anyone aged 18 or under, who has demonstrated courage or maturity beyond their years
999 - Presented to a member of the emergency services or the armed forces for commitment to their profession
Sport - Awarded to someone who has contributed to local sporting life, either playing a sport or acting as a referee or official
Good Citizen - Awarded to an individual or organisation that either helps to make the neighbourhood a better place to live on an ongoing basis, or through a single act of kindness or bravery
Fundraiser - Someone who has given up their time to raise funds for a charity or good cause
Volunteer - Awarded to a person who gives up their time voluntarily to help out a charity or good cause
Animal Welfare - Someone who goes out of their way to care for animals
Education - Showcasing an individual who goes the extra mile in the field of education and learning
Music and Arts - Celebrating the best of local creative talent - everything from local choirs to talented actors
Full details, including terms and conditions, can be found on the attachment or at www.bbc.co.uk/bbcsussex or www.bbc.co.uk/bbcsurrey
We look forward to receiving your nominations and please do spread the word among family, friends and colleagues too.
Best wishes
Mark Carter
Awards Co-ordinator
BBC Sussex and BBC Surrey
Broadcasting Centre, Brighton, BN1 3XB or Broadcasting Centre, Guildford, GU2 7AP
Sunbury Skate Park to Close 18th &19th August
We have no way of knowing how many of our local youngsters take advantage of this facility but for those who use the skate park in Green Street, please note that it will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, 18th & 19th August. The closure is necessary to allow for maintenance and repair work to be carried out.
Anyone looking for alternative facilities in the Borough can make their way to the Shepperton Skate Park off Shepperton Court Drive; or Lammas Park off Wraysbury Road.
Thanks For Your Support at the Sunbury Regatta
It was good to see so many familiar faces visiting our stall at the Sunbury Regatta. Some came to join our Association, others to renew their memberships, and many just dropping by, in search of information or simply to discuss their concerns.
Now celebrating our 41st Anniversary as a fully constituted Association and, working with our local authority and other agencies, we continue to work tirelessly in doing what we can to preserve or enhance the amenities enjoyed by the Lower Sunbury community.
Our officers and committee are all volunteers who dedicate their time and energies to further the aims and objectives of the Association; and our future depends upon your continued support. If you are not a member or have forgotten to renew your membership for 2014, please either join or renew now. Annual membership has remained unchanged for the last 8 years and, at £5, costs about the same as a pint and a half of low strength beer. You may join or renew membership via the Paypal button on the Home Page or, alternatively, by leaving your subscription at the Post Office in Avenue Parade or at Twirltours Travel Agents in Green Street. We are of course very grateful to all those who have supported the Association today and over the many years of our existence.
Secretary of State Gives Green Light for Construction of Eco Park
The following is an extract from a letter dated 6th August which has been received from the Department of Communities and Local Government;
"The Secretary of State has carefully considered the case against call-in policy, as set out in the Written Ministerial Statement by Nick Boles on 26 October 2012. The policy makes it clear that the power to call in a case will only be used very selectively. The Government is committed to give more power to councils and communities to make their own decisions on planning issues, and believes planning decisions should be made at the local level wherever possible.
"In deciding whether to call in the application, the Secretary of State has considered his policy on calling in planning applications. This policy gives examples of the types of issues which may lead him to conclude, in his opinion that applications should be called in. The Secretary of State has decided, having had regard to this policy, not to call in the application. He is content that they should be determined by the local planning authority."
In this case the local planning authority is not our local Council (who opposed the application) but the Planning and Regulatory Committee of Surrey County Council.
SATEP, (Spelthorne Against the Eco Park) and our Council are currently looking at the possibility of challenging the approved application by way of an application to the High Court for judicial review. As ever, limited resources may frustrate our progress and all contributions, however small, will be most welcome. To donate, please visit the SATEP Website: http://satep.co.uk/
Local Audit and Accountability Act Brings Greater Transparency to Local Government
The most significant change for 2014, which comes in under the Openness of Local Government Bodies Regulations, will be the use of tweeting, blogging or using Facebook to detail council decision-making as it happens, although oral reporting during proceedings is prohibited to prevent disruption.
In addition, the changes require local authorities to ensure that decisions made by officers under delegated powers are recorded and available for the public to view.
The Act and its provisions may be viewed by clicking here: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2014/2/section/40/enacted
