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.
Application now Submitted to Develop London Irish Avenue Site
Further to the article published in the March issue of Sunbury Matters, we can now confirm that Crest Nicholson have submitted their long awaited planning application to redevelop the London Irish site. The application is for:
“Demolition of stand and clubhouse and erection of 194 residential units with associated parking, provision of new open space and construction of estate roads with access to be via the two accesses from The Avenue to also incorporate an alternative access for the existing Virgin Active Leisure Centre via the northern access”.
Local residents will be notified of the application and it is expected that the letters will be received during the early part of next week. Site notices will be also displayed in various public locations. The plans and documents will be available to view on the Council’s website from tomorrow.
The planning application will be brought before the Planning Committee in due course, although this will not be before May 2014. Representations, apart from through the post, may be made on line at the Spelthorne Council Website quoting reference no: 14/00275/FUL.
Beware this Mobile Phone Scam
Surrey Trading Standards would like to warn residents of Surrey to be aware of a scam which involves the delivery of a mobile phone (or similar) that you have not ordered and that could result in financial fraud. A local councillor was nearly caught in this way.
How it works......
The scammers will order a mobile phone in your name and when it is delivered to you, you will receive a call saying there has been a mistake and the goods will be collected by courier. The scammer will then call to collect the phone from you, pretending that they are a courier. The scammers get to keep the phone whilst the bill will remain in your name.
If you suddenly receive delivery of goods addressed to you or somebody else in your household that you know you have not ordered contact the sender immediately.
If you think you may have been a victim to this kind of scam please call an advisor on 08454 040506 to report it and get advice!
Can you offer help or support to people affected by floods?
The following email from Surrey County Council has been received by LOSRA. It will be seen that it covers all three affected Boroughs including Spelthorne:
Surrey Flood Recovery Appeal:
The Community Foundation for Surrey has launched a Surrey Flood Recovery Appeal to help people and communities recover from the devastating floods.
The priority of the funding is to support community and voluntary groups assisting in the relief effort in easing the immediate difficulties communities are facing and to support their recovery over the coming weeks and months. The aim of the appeal is to support the most vulnerable and isolated and to encourage local people to support others in their time of need.
You can make a donation to the fund online or cheques made payable to Surrey Flood Recovery Appeal can be sent to:
Community Foundation for Surrey, 1 Bishop’s Wharf, Walnut Tree Close, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 4RA
Donations
A range of items could be useful to people affected by the flooding. These donations are being coordinated by the local borough councils.
Elmbridge – call the Contact Centre on 01372 474474 who will advise on donations of food, clothing, furniture etc
Runnymede – call the Contact Centre on 01932 838383 for information about donating.
Spelthorne - not looking for donations of food and clothing but would like cleaning materials, mops, buckets, brushes, shovels, gloves, hats, wellingtons, disinfectant, rubble bags and strong rubbish bags. Donations to be made through the Salvation Army in Woodthorpe Road in Ashford.
Volunteering
If you are interesting in volunteering to help with the flood recovery contact the local borough council:
Elmbridge – call the Contact Centre on 01372 474474.
Runnymede – call the Contact Centre on 01932 838383.
Spelthorne - visit Spelthorne Council's website or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Flooding Update
As river levels on the Thames start to fall, work is under way to help communities get back on their feet. Councils across Surrey are setting up flood recovery centres where people can get information and advice to help them recover from the effects of the floods. You will see that, from the seven centres being opened across Runnymede, Elmbridge and Spelthorne, our nearest is St. Mary's Church Hall in Green Street. The seven locations are:
Hythe Centre, Thorpe Road, Egham TW18 3HD (8am to 8pm)
Chertsey Hall, Heriot Road, Chertsey KT16 9DR (8am to 8pm)
Elmbridge Community Hub, 72 High Street, Walton-on-Thames KT12 1BU (9am to 5pm)
Spelthorne Museum, 1 Elmsleigh Road, Staines TW18 4PM (2pm-8pm)
St Mary Church Hall, Green Street, Sunbury-on-Thames TW16 6RM (2pm-8pm)
Greeno Community Centre, Glebeland Gardens, Shepperton TW17 9DH (2pm-8pm)
Lucan Pavilion, The Broadway, Laleham, Staines, TW18 1RZ (2pm-8pm).
The Good Old Boys Return to Sunbury Cricket Club, 28th February
The next Music Night is on Friday 28th February when The Cricket Club welcomes back THE GOOD OLD BOYS, who have given us two really excellent evenings on their previous visits.
They feature a formidable array of experienced performers with illustrious histories in a variety of big name bands, led by Nick Simper (bass/vocals) who first played professionally with Johnny Kidd & The Pirates, going on to play with The Flowerpot Men before becoming a founder member of Deep Purple. After he left Purple, he played with Marsha Hunt, that band morphing into Warhorse, who made albums for Vertigo. After Warhorse, he went on to form Flying Fox and then Fandango.
Peter Parks (guitar/vocals) was also in Warhorse, and then stayed with Nick through the Fandango era in the ‘80s. Simon Bishop (guitar/vocals) toured with Renaissance, High Society, and The Monks (of “Nice Legs, Shame About The Face” fame), while Richard Hudson (drums/vocals) was a long-time member of the south-west London scene as percussionist with high profile hit-makers The Strawbs and then Hudson Ford. He was also with Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera, High Society and The Monks. Alan Barratt (lead singer) was with the British band Jo Jo Gunne and has worked alongside the likes of Chip Hawkes (Tremelos) and Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers.
It goes without saying that they are a top class outfit and we know from their previous gigs that the contrasting lead guitar styles of Peter and Simon makes for a really entertaining range of rock, blues, R&B and country material and we very much look forward to seeing them again.
Central Co-ordinator for Flood Volunteers
The co-ordination of volunteers and aid to flood victims is being run by Stuart Mann at Spelthorne Council and he may be contacted on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
It was recognised very early on that, in order to avoid duplication of effort, the responsibility should rest with one individual and Stuart has been taken off his day-to-day duties to devote himself full time to this role. You are urged to contact him if you have material or practical help to offer; or are in need of help. The extent of damage, and therefore relief, may not become evident until the flood waters have subsided.
More...
Flooded Homes - Royal Mail Will Re-direct Letters and Parcels Free for 3 Months
A local resident visiting the Royal Mail Sorting Office this morning was advised that the Service will re-direct mail for those residents who have been evacuated or who have chosen to leave their homes due to the flooding. Royal Mail will continue this service for three months at no charge. Any resident wishing to take advantage of this offer should contact customer services.
Residents affected by the flooding should also note that The Government has pledged £250,000 to Citizens Advice Bureau to help victims of the recent floods.
The fund will be spent directly on outreach work in communities devastated by flooding & bad weather. To find out more click here.
Sunbury Flood Volunteers
A group of local residents who don't know each other have come together through Facebook and set up a page to recruit volunteers who want to help in the community. They have arranged a meeting for 12.30 on Saturday 15th February at St Marys Church Hall, Sunbury.
All walks of life are represented and the volunteers have varying skills to offer, from humping sandbags, coordinating groups, sourcing and providing donations to helping with waterlogged furniture removal further down the line.
It's important to stress that they are not a professional organisation as many of them haven't met each other face to face, so they do not have a hard agenda.
All residents are invited to attend and it's hoped that we can all assist the vulnerable and those affected by flood damage. If you would like to get in touch with the group by email they may be contacted on: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
To get an aerial appreciation of the Thames, including Kingston, Sunbury and Chertsey, click on the following BBC footage:
Flooding Update
The latest flooding update from Spelthorne Council is reproduced here for the information of members:
Flooding
Flood warnings have been issued along the whole of the Thames through Spelthorne.
Updated: 11 February 2014
There is a real risk that properties may flood. Please make sure you are signed up for the Environment Agency's Floodline Warnings Direct and use this checklist now to prepare and protect your home from damage.
River levels
Severe flood warnings have been issued for the River Thames. This means severe flooding is imminent with potential loss to life.
Flood warning for Lower Sunbury - An Update from the EA
River levels in the Sunbury area are expected to rise slowly over the next few days as water makes it way downstream and in response to further forecast rainfall today and over the next few days. Further flooding of properties located closest to the river is expected.
The current river forecast suggests that river levels in this area could reach a higher level than those seen in January 2003. As you know, this won't happen overnight but by early to the middle of next week these levels could be realised.
The Council, in close liaison with Surrey County Council, continues to update its website information including providing links to the Environment Agency’s guidance on Flooding from Groundwater.
See also the article of 13th January 'Getting the Best out of EA Flood Warnings'.
Coffee Concert, Saturday 8th February
The Sunbury & Shepperton Arts Association presents the next Coffee Concert at the Riverside Arts Centre on Saturday 8 February, featuring:
GELACHTER WIND TRIO:
Emma McGovern, oboe
Adam Slater, clarinet
Susanne Simma, bassoon
Mozart Divertimento No 1
Bozza Suite en Breve
Gordon Jacob Trio
Beethoven Variations on La Ci Darem
Coffee and croissants will be served from 10.15am. The recital will start at 11am and last approximately an hour. Tickets: £7.50
To book tickets, please call the Box Office on 01932 782788 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Thames 21 Seeks Volunteers for Two Forthcoming Events
LOSRA, a great supporter of Thames 21, has received the following email together with an announcement of two forthcoming events asking for volunteers. If you have never been involved before, why not give it a try. It's a great morning out in the fresh air, close to nature and wildlife.
"Dear Volunteers and Supporters,
"Thank you for all your participation in the project at your local site throughout 2013. There have been great contributions to each area, beneficial to the Thames and its tributaries by many. With the new approach to catchment management the Non-Tidal Thames Volunteer project will work with Catchment Partnerships. I am excited in continuing this energy with all through 2014, where we will continue to improve our River Thames."
Police Notice - No Reason to be Alarmed!
Police in Spelthorne are urging the public to stay on their guard after elderly and vulnerable residents in Sunbury-on-Thames have been recently contacted by cold callers.
A number of residents have been visited by cold callers representing security companies and saying that there they are selling burglar alarms as part of a burglary campaign in the area.
Company Representatives give residents the impression that the alarm is sponsored and supported by Surrey Police and that the alarm itself is free, but that the lifetime monitoring service costs in excess of £2000.
Surrey Police has received several reports of such incidents.
Spelthorne Neighbourhood Inspector Ian St. John said: "Fortunately on these occasions no one signed up to the offer and no money was handed over but these unwanted calls can be extremely distressing for elderly people, often trying to catch them off guard and convince them to have security systems installed that they may not want or need.
"I would like to make it clear that Surrey Police does not endorse any alarm or security companies and we would urge residents to treat any free offers with caution as there may be hidden costs for monitoring.It is also worth noting that by law cold callers must offer a seven-day cooling off period before starting any work. If members of the public are considering buying an alarm they should avoid cold callers and preferably obtain a number of quotes from reputable companies. Surrey Police can provide advice about crime prevention, which could include a visit from our Crime Prevention Officer.
"The Safer Neighbourhood Teams across the borough are aware of the recent reports and we are working closely with our colleagues at Surrey Trading Standards to monitor any reports of cold calling.”
Anyone with concerns about companies should call Trading Standards' consumer direct on 0845 4040506.
Private Eye Keeps its Eye on Surrey County Council's Shenanigans
If you employ, as consultants, a company that builds and runs waste incinerators and ask for a waste disposal solution, don't be surprised if an incinerator is recommended. Not any old existing incinerator, but one that needs to be built and run by that company. If that company can call it a gasifier and then claim up to three times the financial benefits, so much the better.
Readers will remember the Private Eye 'Rotten Boroughs' article published here on 11th December.
This week's edition of the magazine features 'Old Sparky' which is reproduced here
