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 2023 are now payable.
Coffee Concert at Riverside Arts Centre, Saturday 20th April
The following email has been received by LOSRA from the Sunbury and Shepperton Arts Association and we are pleased to reproduce it here:
Just a reminder that the next Coffee Concert at the Riverside Arts Centre will take place on Saturday 20 April.
SONG RECITAL
STEPHEN WILLIS, baritone
STEVE CHRISTMAS, guitar
A selection of songs from the Renaissance to the present day
Please join us for coffee and croissants from 10.15am. The recital will start at 11am and last approximately an hour.
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..
We look forward to seeing you on Saturday.
Best wishes
The Sunbury & Shepperton Arts Association
www.ssaa-arts.org
Great News - Linden Homes Development at Fordbridge Road Road Approved
Following the refusal on appeal of an 87 unit development in 2011, Linden Homes won unanimous approval for a much more modest proposal for 37 units at Planning Committee on Wednesday night. (See article 8th February).
From the very outset, LOSRA and CAROD (Campaign Against Riverside Over-development) have been involved in helping to shape the plan which went before Planning Committee.
Linden Homes are to be congratulated for ensuring that the consultation was in every sense participative and included the choice of architects for the scheme, the numerous site meetings, public exhibitions and the detailed designs.
At every turn the views and preferences of the residents were taken fully into account and Linden Homes could hardly be criticised if they had done much less.
It was a welcome, if unfamiliar, pleasure for LOSRA to attend Committee to speak in support of an application which had won the overwhelming support of its membership.
Latest Trading Standards Alert
Will writing, landscaping and roof-cleaning are all featured in the latest Trading Standards Alert together with useful information on product recalls.
Debbie Giles & Midnight Train at Sunbury Cricket Club 19th April
Well, what a night was to be had on Friday for Buddy Whittington. It was superb in just about every way, a great house - just a few over 150 - but everyone who wanted a seat got one, and it made for a great sense of occasion, which was matched by a quite sensational performance from Buddy, who once again made himself readily available to chat to everyone and sign CDs. The Club is very grateful to Brett Todd for promoting the gig, and taking the risk with it, and many thanks to everyone who came to make it such a marvellous event - certainly one of the best we've had.
Buddy will be a hard act to follow, but next week's band, Debbie Giles & Midnight Train, will have a pretty fair shot at it when making their debut at the Club a week on Friday, the 19th April. They are a thoroughly professional funk, soul, R&B and blues outfit, who regularly play at the most highly-regarded venues around the country - any band that gets bookings back time and again to The Malt Shovel in Northampton, probably the top blues venue in the UK, definitely knows what they're doing.
All the members have impeccable musical CVs - Debbie herself was on the West End stage before returning to her first love of the blues, while drummer Sam Kelly has been voted "Drummer of the Year" for five years running by Blues Connection. Guitarist Pete Emery played in the celebrated John Dummer Blues Band alongside Dave Kelly (long-time member of The Blues Band), and keyboard player Steve Oakman, who has toured with many famous names, is the son of Pete Oakman, member of Joe Brown's Bruvvers and writer of "Picture Of You" . Bass player Chris Belshaw likewise has played with a host of top names.
There is a load of information, music samples and video clips on their excellent web site at www.midnighttrain.co.uk, so please check them out. The Club very much look forward to seeing you there.
Spring in Sunbury Park
The following email from the Council was received by LOSRA. Both formally and informally we are often contacted by residents complaining about the minority of dog-walkers who, despite knowing perfectly well their responsibilities to clear up their dog's faeces, continue to allow our beautiful park to be fouled.
Those responsible should heed the Council's email as a warning. Dog-fouling in our parks and open spaces has been a specific bye-law offence since 2011.
Spring in Spelthorne’s parks
With the warmer weather, we hope, finally approaching, it is time to get out an about and enjoy the pleasure that Spelthorne’s parks can bring.
Spelthorne has parks in:
These parks are there for everyone to enjoy. There are a few simple rules to remember so that the pleasure can be maximised for everyone.
Firstly please do not light barbecues in the parks or any kind of fire. This is not permitted in any of Spelthorne’s parks.
Please clear up any dog mess and either put it in the bins provided, or take it home. Most dog owners are responsible and make sure they do this. However there are a few who don’t pick up after their dogs and mess things up for everyone as well as leaving behind a health hazard – particularly to young children.
Reduce complaints about dogs and their owners in your local community by keeping public spaces foul free.
Cllr Tony Mitchell, Cabinet Member for the Environment said: “The Council provides parks for everyone to enjoy. Dog mess both blights areas as well as being potentially very dangerous and it is vital that people clear up after their animals.
“If you want to barbecue, please don’t do so in our parks. We want to keep them free from the risk of fire and available in what we hope will be a sunny summer.”
Thames 21 Seeks Volunteers for Sunbury Lock Ait Clean-up
Back on 5th March we published an appeal for volunteers to join Thames 21 in a clean up Sunbury Lock Island. Those who came will remember the remorselessly cold day it was too. Thames 21 will again be coming to Sunbury Lock Island on Sunday 28th April from 10am - 1pm. This location is a charming part of the Lower Sunbury riverscape and we are being asked to join a team to give it a clean-up and to help manage the vegetation.
Volunteers are asked to report to the footbridge ahead of the lock at 10am. Old clothes recommended but all necessary equipment will be provided.
Details of the public events are also on the Thames21 website www.thames21.org.uk/events/
Future diary dates for Sunbury Lock Island fall on 19th May and 19th June.
More...
An Invitation to Sunbury Cricket Club on Sunday 14th April
Sunbury Cricket Club is holding an Open Day on Sunday 14th April to launch their 75th Anniversary celebrations from 12:30 and to which LOSRA members and other Sunbury residents are invited.
There will be a colts practice and recruitment morning from 10:00 am until noon. A President's XI will be playing the Club from 1:00 am. The toss will be conducted by the Mayor of Spelthorne on behalf of the home captain. A match will also be taking place on the second square.
The Club was started by four schoolboys at the Cedars recreation ground in 1938 to become one of the strongest in Surrey and the South East playing in the Premier Division of the Surrey Championship. The club has been a strong contender for the Championship of late finishing in 2nd or 3rd places in each of the last four years. It has also introduced thousands of boys and girls from the age of 5 upwards to the joys of cricket with a current colts’ membership of 250, some of the best of whom progress to play at county and international level.
A book on the history of the Club, running to some 230 pages and including some 150 photographs, will be available for sale. Applications for membership will be welcome.
Full details of the Anniversary year are at www.sunburycricket.co.uk/anniversary75.php.
Further details from Peter Browne at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Club is on the Lower Hampton Road between Harefield Road and Kenton Avenue. Post code: TW16 5PS.
Unedited Version of Chairman's Community Column for Surrey Herald
It is a matter of personal regret to the Chairman of LOSRA that the Surrey Herald saw fit to edit his fortnightly community column in this week's edition, most especially as it was a valedictory piece on one of our local ward councillors. For those of our readers who bought a copy and could not make sense of it, the following is the original unedited version:
Apart from what I’ve read in the paper I can’t be sure of the reasons that lay behind the recent changes within Spelthorne Council’s political landscape but I do find the whole business just a little unsettling and the electorate will doubtless hope that the internecine warfare will quickly subside; and that our elected representatives will get on seamlessly with the business of local government.
In my experience, I don’t see much public interest in the credulously malign accusations or innuendo which ebb and flow between one party and another. Yah-boo politics is as dreary as it is self-serving. A committed councillor, regardless of party affiliation, is one whose pre-occupation is the next generation rather than the next election; and those whose philosophy embraces the former will more usually be rewarded by the latter.
I discovered that coincident upon, though quite unconnected to, the recent political upheavals, our local ward councillor, Caroline Nichols is to resign her seat on both the Borough and County Councils.
She was a very committed, resolute and hard working local councillor who exhibited precisely the quality which I have described and one, I guess, which we should have a right to expect from all our local councillors of whatever political hue. Oh yes.... and she also had the virtue of not being house trained. Party politics was always secondary to her primary concern of what she believed to be right for the Lower Sunbury community and beyond. She took the capital ‘P’ out of politics and she was loved for it. She goes for personal and family reasons and it’s typical of her that she would not be content to continue in a job to which she could not give her full devotion. Farewell Caroline.
Buddy Whittington Makes Welcome Return to Sunbury Cricket Club - 5th April
On Friday week, the 5th April, Sunbury Cricket Club has one of its biggest gigs of the year when once again they welcome the great Texan blues guitarist, singer and songwriter Buddy Whittington, former long-time member of John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, who is returning to the Club during his current European tour, having given us an extraordinary evening on his first visit in November 2011. It's very special to have an artist of Buddy's stature playing at the Club, and Brett Todd is to be thanked for arranging and promoting this gig. Darby Todd is once again playing drums with Buddy, with Pete Stroud on bass. There is full information, with video clips, on his web site at www.buddywhittington.com.
SCC are naturally expecting a sizeable turnout for this show, but have decided not to sell tickets in advance, as the administration involved is too difficult to handle. The Club will be setting the room out theatre-style, and will be bringing in extra chairs, so that they should be able to accommodate everyone who wants to come in reasonable comfort. It promises to be another memorable night and the Club very much looks forward to seeing you there.
Walking for Health
Spelthorne Council has launched a self-led walk pack to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Walking for Health scheme.
The self-led walk packs have been designed to encourage residents of all ages, independently, to take part in the walks, explore Spelthorne and enjoy the benefits of walking. The packs contain directions for seven guided walks with easy to follow instructions and maps. The walks are varied in length and have been chosen by the volunteer Walk Leaders in conjunction with the Council’s Leisure Services team.
The walk packs are available to download from the Council’s website at www.spelthorne.gov.uk/walkingforhealth and hard copies of the packs will be available from the Council Offices, from the end of March.
To celebrate the launch of the pack, the following spring walks are being held:
Saturday 30 March, 10am
Stanwell Village Walk
A led walk followed by Easter festivities at the Stanwell Village Hall including an Easter egg tombola, Easter bonnet competition and refreshments (small charges apply).
Wednesday 3 April, 10am
Orchard Meadow, Sunbury-on-Thames
An historic led walk providing many interesting facts about this part of Spelthorne.
Thursday 4 April, 10am - 12noon
Lammas Park, Staines-upon-Thames
Easter egg hunt – find the eggs, unscramble the anagram and win a prize.
Friday 5 April, 10am
Church Lammas and Staines Moor
An historic led walk offering an insight into this area of the Borough.
Monday 8 April, 10am
Shepperton Towpath and Dumsey Meadow wildlife walk and talk.
Tuesday 9 April
Ashford’s Fordbridge Park and Bronzefield fitness trail
Follow the route and take part in the various exercises.
For more information, please contact Leisure Services on 01784 446433, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.spelthorne.gov.uk/walkingforhealth
Please note that in adverse weather, scheduled walks may be cancelled.
Are you registered to vote on Thursday 2 May?
The Surrey County Council Elections are being held on Thursday 2 May and, in the Sunbury East Ward, a by-election to elect a local Spelthorne Councillor is also being held on the same day.
Residents are reminded that they will only be able to vote if their name appears on the Electoral Register and the deadline for having their name added is 17 April.
To check if your name appears on the Register, call the Electoral Services team on 01784 444218, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit the Council Offices in Knowle Green, Staines-upon-Thames.
If you have moved home since the Electoral Register was published on 16 October 2012, you can apply to register at your new address. Forms are available from the Spelthorne Council Offices or to download from the website at www.spelthorne.gov.uk/register
If you are unable to vote in person, you can apply for a proxy or postal vote – the deadline for this is also 17 April.
For more information, contact the Electoral Services team on 01784 444218.
Cardio Tennis Comes to Lower Sunbury
The following email has been received by LOSRA from Spelthorne Council and we are very pleased to reproduce it here:
Cardio Tennis is a high energy fitness activity involving a series of tennis based drills and activities to music. It is suitable for all abilities from total beginner to advanced and it is a fun and sociable way to get fit.
Spelthorne Borough Council in partnership with ‘Sportivate’ are providing a free course for young people aged 14-18 years, from Thursday 18 April to Thursday 23 May at Cedars Park, Sunbury –on-Thames from 6-7pm.
Additionally there are free trial sessions for adults, one on Wednesday 17 April at Lammas Park, Staines-upon-Thames and one on Thursday 18 April at Cedars Park, Sunbury-on-Thames. Both sessions run from 7-8pm.
After the free trial sessions, courses for adults will be held at the two sites from 7-8pm and cost £30 for five weeks:
- Lammas Park: 24 April – 22 May and 12 June – 10 July
- Cedars Park: 25 April – 23 May and 13 June – 11 July
Both courses for young people and adults have only 12 places available and will be given on a first come first served basis.
To book email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or text/call Steve on 07956 493529
Latest Crime Prevention Advice from Trading Standards and Surrey Police
Before clicking on to the latest Trading Standards Alert, you may wish to see the following extract from a Surrey Police email which gives crime prevention advice to mobile phone users:
"Surrey Police is making members of the public aware of a series of offences in which the offenders have used a distinctive distraction technique to steal mobile phones.
"The Force has currently identified seven similar crimes in Guildford, Epsom and Staines. The offence works by the offender(s) approaching the victim in a café or restaurant and asking for directions. They place a map over the victim's mobile phone or smart phone and engage them in conversation. When they leave, the offender(s) take the map and phone with them.
"The most recent incident occurred yesterday (Thursday, 28 February) in a coffee shop in White Lion Walk, Guildford. The victim, a woman in her 40s, was sitting reading a newspaper with her iPhone 5 on the table. A man in his early 20s, who spoke with an accent, believed to be eastern European, put a map on the table and asked for directions. After he left, the victim realised that her phone was missing.
"This was the fifth similar incident in Guildford with other incidents occurring at a coffee shop in Guildford High Street on 22 February, a fast food restaurant in Guildford High Street on 18 February, a coffee shop in Guildford High Street on 8 February and a coffee shop in Market Street on 25 January.
There have also been reports of a similar distraction technique being used in thefts at a coffee shop in Epsom High Street on 11 February and a restaurant in the Two Rivers retail park in Staines on 20 February.
Detective Sergeant Jim Strugnell, investigating, said: "We're not telling people to never leave mobile phones on the table in front of them but would urge people to be aware of other people around them, and if you are approached in such a manner, pick up the phone yourself before engaging in any conversation.
"We need people to keep reporting any incidents or suspicious activity to us so that we can build up a picture of those responsible and where the offences are occurring. If you think you have been a victim of such an offence but have not already reported it to the police then please do so as soon as possible.”
Anyone with information about any of these offences, or who has been a victim of a similar incident themselves, is asked to call Surrey Police on 101, quoting reference GD/13/1368. Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The Mustangs Return to Surrey Cricket Club, Friday 22nd March
The next Music Night at Surrey Cricket Club is on Friday 22nd March, when The Mustangs are back to launch their new CD "Speed Of Love" - it's a bit sooner after the last gig than we might otherwise have done, but they were keen to slot a Sunbury date in around the time of the album launch, which means there are twelve new songs to perform.
It's always a stunning high powered show led by dynamic front man Adam Norsworthy, with their highly original brand of blues-inspired original material. If you've not seen them, check them out (including plenty of music) at www.themustangs.co.uk .Over the last two weekends, they've been back to their usual slot at the Swanage Blues Festival where the video for their new single was shot; and this coming weekend are in France doing two shows at Le Blues Autour Du Zinc Festival in Beauvais, so the show will be finely honed for our gig. We look forward to seeing you there.
