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.
LOSRA's 40th Anniversary Garden Party
Many thanks to all those who turned out for our 40th Anniversary Garden Party last Sunday. It was a great pity that,despite promises from the Met Office for dry weather, the first two hours of the event was marred by rain.
Nevertheless, the event proved to be a success and our thanks go to Mr and Mrs Heslop for making their beautiful garden available to us; and to David Banks, the party organiser who will now, sadly, be leaving our Committee due to work commitments. He will be greatly missed.
Sunbury Open Gardens Day, Sunday 30th June 11am - 5pm
The ever popular Sunbury Open Gardens Day enters its eleventh year with the promise of six gardens to appeal to all tastes.From the unashamedly 70s garden to the modern with zacuzzi; all will delight.
Apart from all the usual attractions of cakes, jams, plants, books, teas and fizz, there will also be a Mega raffle with many prizes including a 39" Samsung smart TV, a Toshiba Pixcam, Roberts Radio, tickets to Hampton Court Flower Show, a case of wine and much more besides.
For further details, ticket sales and bookings, visit: http://www.sunburyopengardens.co.uk
The Lee Ryder Band Makes Debut at SCC on 28th June
The next Music Night at Sunbury Cricket Club will be held on Friday 28 June, and after a couple of events featuring familiar faces in the form of the Dave's Not Here and The '60s All Stars, the Club welcomes another new name to the Club for the first time with The Lee Ryder Band. Lee Ryder has been around the London blues scene since the '60s and is a long-time associate of Mick Taylor from the Rolling Stones. He was in a band called The Hush, who were around the fringes of the big time, and has led his own blues band for a couple of decades now, having built a formidable reputation as one of the best bluesmen on the circuit.
Alan Darby, former sideman with Paul McCartney and Eric Clapton, and who is guitarist in the band of the Queen musical "We Will Rock You" at the Dominion Theatre, is taking an night off to do this gig. Anyone who can emulate Brian May on a nightly basis should be worth seeing.
The band has an excellent web site at www.theleeryderband.co.uk, with biogs, music, videos and reviews, and there's more video on YouTube, so please check them out. You can certainly look forward to another evening of top class blues at the Club.
Walton Bridge - Progress and Road Closure Dates
Residents may have attended the recent public meeting at which the progress and final construction schedule of the new Walton Bridge was discussed. If you were unable to attend, you may wish to click on the following link to update yourself on the planned road closures which will be necessary before the final opening.
Cystic Fibrosis Fundraiser at Riverside Arts Centre, 6th July
Cystic Fibrosis cuts lives in half, and research into finding a cure for this crippling genetic disorder needs constant funding if young sufferers are to be given the opportunity to enjoy the length and quality of life they deserve.
On July 6th at the Riverside Arts Centre there will be an evening of fun, food, music, dancing and entertainment aimed at raising money for Cystic Fibrosis Research. Admission is by ticket only, and since the number able to be accommodated at the Arts Centre is limited, it has to be a case of first-come, first-served.
Individual tickets cost £15, or a table for 8 people costs £100.
More than half the available tickets are already spoken for, so anyone else who would like to have a good night out on July 6th while supporting the cause should contact Gerry Cook at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. <mailto:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Minutes of LOSRA AGM
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Regrettably, the guest speaker for our Annual General Meeting was incapacitated with a stomach complaint and was therefore unable to attend to give his presentation on the proposal to introduce cattle into Sunbury Park. We have been assured that a public consultation will be held in due course and this Website will be updated just as soon as a date has been fixed. After eight years as Chairman, John Hirsh decided it was time to stand down and has been succeeded by Mr Alan Doyle who cut his teeth as an active member of the Police College Development Action Group (PCDAG). We wish him every success in his new role. The AGM concluded with an open forum during which members were able to put questions. To view the minutes, click here |
| Alan Doyle - LOSRA Chairman |
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Burglaries in Sunbury - Police Alert
The following email from our local police has just been received by LOSRA and it is reproduced here for the attention of residents:
I am writing this email to inform you of recent suspicious activity.
In recent months Sunbury has been the target for burglaries. A recent method for burglars to see if a house is occupied is to simply knock on the door. When a door is answered they will tell the occupant that they are looking for someone in one instance it was a doctor and in another instance it was a Mr Hughes, once the door is opened they make their excuses and leave, normally along the line of "I've been sent to the wrong address" or something similar. In many cases the person or persons are wearing high visibility jackets to look official and may say they are working for the council, gas or electric company.
If you have an encounter like this please call us and let us know sooner rather than later. The quicker we know that a suspicious person is in your road we can find them and ascertain their reasons for being in the area and knocking on doors.
They might be completely innocent however police attendance could also be the difference between finding a known burglar in our area or having a burglary occur and a distressed victim.
Thank you,
PCSO Phill Wrighton 15007
Eco Park Public Meeting - 7pm, Thursday 13th June
Surrey County Council will be hosting a public meeting at Spelthorne Borough Council, Knowle Green, on Thursday 13th June at 7pm.
The meeting will begin with a presentation by SCC, followed by a question and answer session chaired by Richard Hewitt of the Shepperton Residents' Association.
Residents will be aware from the extensive coverage given to the Eco Park on this Site, that its proposed installation is a matter of great controversy within our local community. If you plan to attend and to help ensure there is space for all those interested, you are asked to contact SCC's waste management team on 03456 009 009 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to register your interest.
All residents are urged to attend.
Hazelwood Golf Site - Progress
The following email has been received by LOSRA from the London Irish agent appointed to oversee the Hazelwood development and will be of interest to all neighbouring residents;
"I am writing to provide a further update as to progress on site:
Progress to date has been good and we are in fact slightly ahead of schedule. The following activities are underway or complete (please see attached photos):
- Site fencing - including protecting the public footpath
- Demolition of the driving range is complete, with 50% of the clubhouse now demolished too
- Topsoil stripped back to pitch formation level on the first three pitches
Starting next week we will be importing the topsoil and there will be an increase in traffic movement, with approximately 30 lorries entering and exiting the site each day.
I'm pleased to say, that to date, there have been very few complaints; those we have received have been addressed quickly. I hope that the web-cam will go live next week and I will provide you with the address when it does."
If you have any queries or concerns please do not hesitate to contact LOSRA through our Website.
Violette - The Fight for Freedom
This powerful and moving true story of Violette Szabo is set to make its stage debut on 20th to 22nd June at The Riverside Arts Centre, Sunbury.
This is the new stage adaptation by local award-winning playwright Geoff Buckingham, and will be performed by The Manor players. It tells of the courage and character of World War Two’s most decorated woman, and her colleagues, who made huge sacrifices to fight Nazi tyranny.
Says Geoff “ We look upon this as more than a play. It is a mission. There was a wonderful book, and film, about Violette in the 1950’s, entitled ‘Carve Her Name With Pride’. We include some fresh material, from detailed subsequent research, and we also touch on controversial aspects that have since come to light. We present it as a story told to a schoolgirl in the modern day, but with flashbacks to wartime. That way, we believe the play will appeal to young and old alike. There is some great music from Edith Piaf, Vera Lynn, Marlene Deitrich and Glenn Miller, plus super acting from a large and talented cast of local favourites”.
20-22nd June at The Riverside Arts Centre, 57-59 Thames Street, Sunbury on Thames, TW16 5QF. Air conditioned theatre. Tickets £10. Box Office 07771 458696 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. More information at www.manorplayers.org
LOSRA, The Exclusive Outlet for Lower Sunbury Tea Towel
We are delighted to introduce the first all-embracing souvenir of Lower Sunbury.
LOSRA has helped in the design of a tea towel that captures images of the landmarks which combine to identify our village.
The Walled Garden, the Millennium Embroidery, St Mary's Church, Sunbury Court, the Sunbury Regatta and our lovely pubs, are all featured in the composition of the design.
By purchasing a tea towel you will be supporting LOSRA and its volunteers who work so tirelessly in support of the local community.
You may order your tea towel by using the BUY NOW button on the left side of the Home Page.
London Irish Development, The Avenue - Latest News
Readers will remember that The London Irish applications for their Avenue site and Hazelwood Golf Centre were finally approved by Planning Committee on 21st June last year.
The alternative scheme for The Avenue site, with its higher proportion of family homes and no flats, resulted in the original much denser scheme being withdrawn.
Since then, there has been much rumour about who the developers might be and how the final plan might finally take shape. LOSRA can now confirm that the developers Crest Nicholson have bought the land and, following an informal meeting with them, they were anxious to stress that they will be looking to make only minor modifications to the original outline plan. These modifications will imply neither an increase in density nor a reduction in car parking spaces - in fact Crest Nicholson have indicated that car parking provision is, if anything, inadequate; and, if there is to be a change in density it would more likely result in a reduction rather than an increase.
Importantly, CN are very keen to involve residents throughout the formulation of the final blueprint. Nothing concrete has been decided and the meeting, at which SOLID (Sunbury Opposes London Irish Development) was also represented, was by way of introduction to the key players who will now be entering into pre-application discussions with the Planning Office.
As soon as more is known, including dates for public consultation, exhibitions and the like, you can be sure this site will be updated immediately.
The '60s All Stars Return to Sunbury Cricket Club on Friday 7th June
The '60s All Stars are back for the third time, having kicked off the series of Music Nights just over two years ago in great style and then returned last June for another real summer party night.
Comprising Mick Avory, the original and long-time drummer with The Kinks, Alan Lovell from the Swinging Blue Jeans, John Dee of The Foundations and Del Mandel, formerly with George Harrison Band and Crispian St. Peters, their hugely entertaining shows draw on a seemingly bottomless fount of beat era classics. Once again, a great summer party night of wall-to wall rock 'n' roll and R&B is absolutely guaranteed - bring your friends along for a fun night out.
EcoPark Newsletter
The following is an email extract received by LOSRA from Ian Boast, Assistant Director, Environment, Surrey County Council.
"As you may recall, SITA Surrey was granted planning permission to develop an Eco Park at Charlton Lane, Shepperton on behalf of Surrey County Council last year and since that time has been working to discharge the planning conditions and select a building contractor for the project.
As this has taken longer than anticipated and there are still a number of tasks that need to be completed before construction can begin, we will be distributing the attached newsletter to over 11,000 households around Charlton Lane on Tuesday 28 May to outline progress to date and the next steps over the coming months.
The newsletter provides information about the new gasification process for the Eco Park that was selected after the original supplier of the gasification facility ceased trading last year, and following a review of available suppliers and a procurement process.
It also includes brief details of some minor modifications to the anaerobic digestion facility that have arisen through the detailed design process and updates on HGV traffic, the bulk HGV routing strategy that will be implemented for the Eco Park and the diversion of a footpath around the site.
In order to answer questions local people may have about this update, a number of public events are planned. There will be two drop in sessions hosted by SITA Surrey and a public meeting hosted by Surrey County Council. Details of these events can be found on the back page of the newsletter."
