Welcome to the LOSRA Website
Like any local community, the policies and decisions shaping the character and future of Lower Sunbury are influenced by a combination of local and national government initiatives, alongside market forces and vested interests operating within these frameworks. As with many areas, Lower Sunbury faces challenges stemming from an aging infrastructure, rapid urban development, increasing traffic congestion, and other pressures that impact both quality of life and the distinctive character of the neighbourhood.
In collaboration with local authorities, other residents’ associations and amenity groups, LOSRA plays a vital role in addressing fundamental issues that affect its members' lives. This organisation not only engages with broader strategic concerns but also focuses on the everyday matters that shape community well-being.
To stay informed, we encourage you to subscribe to our regular e-bulletins via the link at the top left of this page. Your continued support is essential to our efforts, and we urge you to join or renew your membership. Subscriptions for 2026 are now payable at £5 per household. Donations are also welcome.
Fire & Water Return to the SCC on 16th February
The next Music Night at Sunbury Cricket Club is on Friday week, 16th February, when the Club welcomes back FIRE & WATER, a band who played one of first Music Nights more than 12 years ago, and who have headlined one of their Beer & Music Festivals in the past.
Capturing the spirit and music of Free, Bad Company and Led Zeppelin, Fire & Water comprise Paul Cox, who Radio 2’s Paul Jones says has “one of the best voices in Europe” and has worked with Ray Charles, Eric Clapton and others; guitarist Mike Summerland, who was with Blodwyn Pig, Georgie Fame and William Bell; bass player Al Maclean, formerly with Kokomo and Hershey & The 12 Bars; and drummer Jim Russel, whose background includes Stretch, Scotty Moore, Curved Air, Desmond Dekker and others.
An evening of top quality rock and blues is absolutely guaranteed, and it will be a classic old school Sunbury Music Night.
It's £10.00 on the door payable by cash or card. Hot food will be available as usual from about 6.30pm, and the band will be on stage around 8.30-8.45.
Proposed Industrial Development on Green Belt - Your Views Urgently Sought!
Sunbury residents only have until the 12 th February to comment on a proposal to build a very large Battery Energy Storage System next to the EcoPark.- The difficulties created by the application as lodged being technically complex, incomplete and inconsistent with respect to detail.
- The suitability of suburban Green Belt land to locate a large and undisguisable industrial development.
- The explosion and fire risks associated with such batteries and the challenges of quenching and clear-up when they occur.
- The acceptability of placing such a complex close to suburban housing as well as the EcoPark’s incinerator and bio-digester and the Ashford Common Water Treatment Works.
- The disruption involved in routeing a very high voltage cable across the M3 motorway and through Charlton Village en-route to a grid connection point near Staines.
- The political acceptability of imposing another industrial complex on local residents when there was so much opposition to the EcoPark.
Prosecutions Too Low - Help Surrey Police to Increase Detections
Some will already have seen this notice from Surrey Police on Facebook. For those who haven't, it's reproduced here:Public Space Protection Orders - Consultation Closes on 31st January
Spelthorne is consulting with residents about its proposals to introduce a new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) on the misuse of public land. The consultation will conclude on 31 January 2024, and you can respond online via: spelthorne.inconsult.uk/
This Council has been listening to residents' concerns and the overarching aims of this PSPO is to tackle issues and behaviours which are unacceptable and impact on our communities across the Borough. The PSPO proposal includes:
- a ban on tents or similar structures being on public land to prevent littering and using the space as a toilet
- ban any device for cooking e.g. barbeques, in any our parks and open because of the hazardous impact to our environment
- an exclusion zone where taxis and private hire vehicles using residential areas will not be allowed to park for Heathrow to cover the entirety of Stanwell Moor, and parts of Stanwell worst affected
Currently, the Council has limited powers to deal with these issues. If a PSPO is in place the Joint Enforcement Team will be able to issue Fixed Penalty Notices for non-compliance with repeat offenders risking prosecution. The team would have discretion and, for example, would signpost rough sleepers towards appropriate assistance.
Residents can read more details about the PSPO and respond online via: spelthorne.inconsult.uk/
Alternatively, you can email your comments to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend's Urgent Survey Reminder
The following email has been forwarded to LOSRA and we are pleased to reproduce it here:
Thank you to all of the individuals who have already shared the link to this year’s council tax survey from our Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Lisa Townsend.
The survey is an important chance for local residents to share their views on the amount of council tax that they will pay in 2024/25 towards the Surrey Police budget that, together with a grant from central government, will fund the service they receive in Surrey from April.
There is still time for Surrey residents who have not yet had their say, to complete our survey by 30 January at https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/3BJ307/
If you haven’t done so already, we would greatly appreciate it if all local councillors could promote the survey using the above link to their constituents, so that we can maximise the number of local residents who are able to share their views. Every comment they leave is read by our team and will help to inform the priorities for Surrey Police during the year ahead.
The survey contains four questions and can be completed in five minutes. I have also attached a copy of the survey and our council tax FAQ that can be completed offline and either sent back to us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., posted by contacting us for a prepaid envelope or available in an easy-read version on request. The survey is also available in a number of different languages at https://www.surrey-pcc.gov.uk/performance/council-tax/
Please do let me know if you have any questions - we appreciate your support.
Many thanks,
James Smith
Communications and Engagement Officer
Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey
John Etheridge, Guitar, Joins the Terence Collie Trio on 4th February at the RAC
John Etheridge rightly enjoys a glowing reputation throughout the jazz world and beyond and has been described by Pat Metheny as, "One of the best guitarists".
He is a prodigiously gifted and creative player whose approach to music can only be described as 'eclectic' as he refuses to accommodate or even acknowledge artificial musical boundaries.
His range is well illustrated by his years of touring and recording with the iconic Stephane Grappelli while simultaneously doing likewise with the legendary jazz-fusion group, The Soft Machine.
John is equally at home on acoustic and electric guitar and his willingness to engage with so many styles is matched by his ability to excel in any of them.
He has played with John Williams, Yehudi Menuhin, Dizzie Gillespie, Herb Ellis, Mundell Lowe, Nigel Kennedy, Pat Metheny, Birelli Lagrene, Barney Kessel, Vic Juris and countless others.
John's ability as an outstanding composer is sometimes overlooked but he is often under pressure from audiences to feature more of his own material.
John joins the Terence Collie Trio on Sunday, 4th February at the Riverside Arts Centre, Thames Street.
More...
Please Support the Bid by LIARFC to Retain Hazelwood Centre
The London Irish Amateur Rugby Football Club (LIARFC) and Brentford Football Club Community Sports Trust (Brentford Sports Trust) have submitted a joint letter of Intent to the Administrators of London Irish Holdings (LIH) setting out their intention to purchase the Hazelwood site and place it in a Community Owned Trust for the benefit of future generations. The letter has been received positively by both the Administrator and DCMS (Department of Digital, Culture, Media & Sport) / Sport England, and they are in the process of organising some direct talks with them to progress their bid.
The LIARFC bid is very much about preserving Hazelwood for amateur sports and community use. The thriving mini rugby section for both boys and girls is renowned throughout the southeast of England and beyond. In addition, the most recent facility for community use, parkrun, is positive, welcoming and inclusive. There is no time limit and no one finishes last. (parkrun is a free, community event where you can walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate. parkrun is 5k and takes place every Saturday morning. junior parkrun is 2k, dedicated to 4-14 year olds and their families, every Sunday morning).
The future of the Hazelwood Centre has been discussed at our Committee and we unanimously support LIARFC's bid.
We are aware of a competing bid from a football club with ambitions for promotion and which may require exclusive use of the site; and which may have little or no benefit accruing for the local community.
Comments from our readers would be most welcome.
60s All Stars Return to the SCC on 26th January
The next Music Night comes round very quickly and is next week on Friday 26th January, when Sunbury Cricket Club welcomes back THE 60s ALL STARS for a long overdue visit – they haven’t played at the Club since the spring of 2022, because it’s been hard to pin down a date.
They played at our the Club's first Music Night back in 2010, and it’s always great to welcome them, as we know a proper rave-up can be guaranteed with a rip-roaring evening of wall-to-wall beat era classics, and they have always been one of the Club'smost popular attractions.
Their line-up for this gig comprises Alan Lovell of The Swinging Blue Jeans on guitar and vocals, the ever-popular Robin Bibi, also on guitar and vocals, Roger Flavell, formerly with Geno Washington and others on bass, and Mick Avory, original drummer with The Kinks. Put this one in the diary and get a gang of friends together,
Hot food, prepared by resident caterers Surplus To Supper, will be available as usual from about 6.30pm, with the band on stage around 8.30 pm or soon after.
Admission is £10.00 on the door, payable by cash or card.
Planning Enforcement - Questions Answered
Following a planning enforcement question at a recent meeting for residents associations led by the Leader of the Council, their Communications Team, in liaison with the Planning Enforcement team, included an e form for reporting a planning enforcement issue on the `Report’ tab on the front page of the website.
The Council has forwarded a document that explains how the team prioritises suspected breaches of planning regulations, the various ways to report concerns and a link to some frequently asked questions.
Spelthorne Youth Award
The following Council email has been received by LOSRA and we are pleased to reproduce it here:
Do you know a special young person aged between five and 19 years of age who is living or receiving education within Spelthorne and deserves recognition for their achievements? You may wish to nominate them for a Spelthorne Youth Award!
We are looking for nominations for the following categories:
- unselfishness, kindness and bravery
- personal achievement
- community spirit
- outstanding academic achievement
- arts achievement (including performing arts)
- sports achievement
- triumph over adversity
Anyone can nominate a young person for an award. All young people nominated will be made aware of their nominations and then short listed for an award. The top nominees from each category will be invited to a special awards ceremony and presented with a certificate and prize from the Mayor of Spelthorne. The deadline for nominations this year is Friday 9 February 2024.
The Mayor of Spelthorne, Cllr Denise Saliagopoulous, said: "The Spelthorne Youth Awards are about recognising and celebrating inspirational young people within our wonderful Borough. If you know a special young person who has excelled in a particular field, made a big difference to their local community, overcome very challenging circumstances or shown exceptional personal qualities, then we would love to hear about them and their achievements."
Further information and nominations can be made online at www.spelthorne.gov.uk/youthawards.
Nashville Teens to Perform at SCC Music Night, 12th January
The first Music Night of the New Year at Sunbury CC is on Friday 12th January, when the Club welcomes back THE NASHVILLE TEENS in their traditional January slot to blow away the January blues.
THE NASHVILLE TEENS are one of the great names from the ‘60s who had two memorable Top Ten hits in 1964 with “Tobacco Road” and “Google Eye”, and have played storming gigs for us over many years, so we’re delighted to have them back again.
The line-up features their original lead singer Ray Phillips, who has had an unbroken half-century career with the band, as well as making solo records and performing with other line-ups like the British Invasion All-Stars with members of The Yardbirds, Creation and Downliners Sect.
With him in the current Nashville Teens is a line-up of seasoned performers, including on bass Colin Pattenden, member of Manfred Mann’s Earth Band when they had their big hits back in the 70s with Simon Spratley of The Ian Campbell Blues Band on keyboards, Ken Osborn from Levee Camp Moan on guitar and Adrian ‘Spud’ Metcalf on drums.
It will be another night of classic ‘60s R&B, featuring in Ray one of the great voices of the beat era. There’s more information at www.Nashville-Teens.com.
Hot food, prepared by the Club's resident caterers Surplus To Supper, will be available as usual from about 6.30pm, with the band on stage around 8.30 pm or soon after.
Admission is £10.00 on the door, payable by cash or card.
Pantomime at the RAC, 18th -21st January
The Riverside Players of Sunbury bring Robin Hood and His Very Merry Men to the Riverside Arts Centre from 18th - 21st January.
Lester Brown, Trumpet, Heads up the Terence Collie Trio at the RAC on 7th January
Lester and company will be celebrating one of the most important modern jazz groups of all time.
Riverside Arts Jazz presents the music of Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers.
For venue and booking details, click here
LOSRA New Year Newsletter Out Now
We use this item to wish all our readers a happy Christmas and a (more) peaceful New Year for 2024.
Our New Year newsletter will be circulated shortly after Christmas with your copy of Sunbury Matters but, if you cannot wait, you can read it here.
The front page is devoted to a possible BESS proposal (what? you may ask) for land adjoining the so-called EcoPark.
