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.
Sculpture Exhibition at the Walled Gardens Friday 7th June
Arts Week at Chennestone Primary School and Beauclerc Nursery and Infant School will be celebrating the Week with an Exhibition at the Walled Garden.
The theme for this year’s Event is ‘Sculptures’. Each class/year group will be involved in designing and making creative sculptures, which will go on display and be used in or around the school. Each of the sculptures will be linked to the school’s themes of Sustainability. The children will have considered using recycled materials, re-using materials for different purposes and the purpose or message of their chosen sculpture.
On Friday 7th June the sculptures will be displayed in the Walled Gardens. The Schools are hoping that the children, parents and members of the local community will come and enjoy their exhibition throughout the day and over the weekend of the 8th and 9th June. Indeed, all are welcome to come and support this imaginative project.
Dodgy Roofers in Lower Sunbury Area
The following email from our local police has been received by LOSRA and we are very pleased to reproduce it here:
"I am writing to you to inform you of a group of so called 'roofers' which are operating in the area.
The company is called BEACON ROOFING and they use a WHITE TOYOTA HIACE.
On Wednesday 15/05/2013 a elderly couple in Lower Sunbury agreed that these men would jet clean their drive for the price of £300 only to find that not only had they done a very poor job and left rubbish all over the drive but they told the couple as they had put "a special solution down" on their drive they now required £1,700. The couple explained that they did not have that sort of money to which one of the builders replied ask your neighbours for it.
The men told the couple that they would return yesterday to collect the money which they did return. The couple called police and upon police arrival the builders were told that as they had not offered a cooling down period of 7 days and no receipts could be produced the couple were not obliged to pay anything.
Trading Standards are now investigating this company
In this case the couple were not conned out of 1000's of pounds but these men will try it again so if you see this company operating in your area please let us know and warn your neighbours and friends not to use this company."
Thank you.
PCSO Phill Wrighton 15007
Virgin Active Leisure Centre, The Avenue
It has been reported to LOSRA by one of our members that a number of thefts have been committed at Virgin Active Leisure Centre in The Avenue. The offences have been effected by cutting into the lockers and stealing valuables, (phones, cash etc).
The Chairman has phoned the police to obtain details of incidents, times, dates, and property stolen but was advised that the Data Protection Act precludes the police from disclosing such information.
Two phone calls and an email to the Leisure Centre have not been returned by the management.
Rather than waiting for further confirmation we believe it important to alert residents to the possible risks of taking valuable property into the premises.
May is Scams Awareness Month
Citizens' Advice and the Trading Standards Institute have teamed up with a campaign to highlight the problem of scams, tell people how to avoid being taken in and how they can fight back against the scammers. To view, click here
St. Mary's May Fair, Saturday 11th May
St. Mary's Church will be holding its May fair this Saturday 11th, between 10am and 2pm.
The fair will feature all the usual favourite stalls, raffles, jewellery, toys, fairtrade goods. Hot and cold refreshments will also be available in the Parish Hall.
All are welcome to come and support the Parish and the future of our Church.
Do Come to Our 40th Anniversary Garden Party
LOSRA is delighted to announce that we will be holding our second summer fundraising Garden Party which will take place on Fathers’ Day, Sunday 16th June, between 12 noon and 5 p.m. The event, which this year celebrates our 40th anniversary, has once again been made possible by kind invitation of Mr. and Mrs. Heslop, who have offered to make their beautiful garden at the Old Vicarage available to us. Click here to download the flyer.
The Garden Party will offer food and refreshments throughout the afternoon, including teas, bucks fizz and wine bar, a summer BBQ and food from "The Indian Zest." Entertainment will be provided by a variety of local musicians and fun things to amuse children. Local products will also be available for purchase from a variety of small stands. Boat rides on 'Jeff', one of the Dunkirk 'little ships' will be a particular highlight with tickets available on the day.
Entry to the event costs £5.00 and tickets will be available from Skinners Newsagents. Better still, you can purchase a ticket via Paypal by clicking on the button below. Youngsters under 13 will be admitted free on the gate.
The Garden Party, apart from raising welcome funds for LOSRA, provides us with the opportunity to add another enjoyable occasion to the village calendar. We hope to see you there.
More...
Sunbury Galaxy FC reach Cup Final
Support Sunbury Galaxy FC - Cup Final v Parkside FC - Tuesday 7th May at Molesey FC
Residents may not be aware that the mighty Sunbury Galaxy FC play many of their home matches at Sunbury Cricket Club.
Their latest success has been to reach the final of the cup against Parkside FC after a series of thrilling penalty shootouts.
It is the their first cup final. With several of Sunbury CC cricketers involved including Darren London, Kevin Smith, David Nash, Danny Pope and their acrobatic goalkeeper Justin 'Danger' Granger both hopes and apprehensions are riding high.
The final is being played on Tuesday 7th May at 7.30 at Molesey FC, Walton Road, West Molesey, KT8 2JG. Your support would be very much welcomed.
Rock Music and Quiz nights Coming to Sunbury Cricket Club
The next gig at the SCC is on Friday week. the 10th May, when the Club welcomes back Sunbury's resident beat era celebrity Karl Green with his marvellously named band Dave's Not Here.
Karl was, of course, the bass player with Herman's Hermits from their origins in Manchester right through their UK chart career and their many years of superstar status in the USA where they were a huge stadium attraction. Karl survived the mayhem of touring with The Who supporting them, and has been a fixture on the Sunbury scene for long while. Dave's Not Here also includes Kevin Welling on keyboards, guitar and vocals and was once in a recording band that featured stage diva Elaine Paige.
Dave's Not Here play rock classics from across four decades, so a varied and entertaining evening is guaranteed, along with a chance to ogle Karl's unique and stunning custom Alembic bass guitar. SCC look forward to seeing you there.
The following week, Friday 17th May, there is another Cricket Club Quiz Night. Many local residents came to the last one so please feel free to put a team together and join in.
Kempton Girls FC under 15's Win League Cup
In their first full season, Kempton Girls FC under 15's have won the Surrey County Girls League Cup. Kempton Girls beat Beecholme Belles 1-0. This is the first game Beecholme Belles have lost this season.
Kempton Girls Football Club was established in 2011 to create a safe, friendly and fun environment for girls to play football, the girls' interests and safety are the prerequisites to all decisions. The Club ethos is to offer football to all players regardless of individual skill levels and ability.
Mini Football free taster sessions are available on Saturday mornings; visit the KGFC website for more information.
Trading Standards Alert
Rogue Traders, Cancer Cure, Holiday Fraud, Password Security, Recalls & more, are all reported in the latest Trading Standards alert. To view, click here
Hazelwood Golf Course - Keep LOSRA Informed
It has been a long time since we have been able to inform residents on the progress of developments at Hazelwood Golf Course but we are now in a position to update our members on the project to convert the Golf Course into the rugby Centre of Excellence now that the site was formally acquired by London Irish six weeks ago.
Current position
Project is fully funded
Procurement for contractors is underway
There will be two contractors – one for the playing pitches and one for the club house and parking area (as very different skills are required)
Timescales
The contractors have agreed to provide a high level project timeline for councillors and LOSRA. This will cover key stages in more detail than set out below. Only when we get this information will we be in a position to give out more precise dates.
Pitches
Planning to start work w/c 28 April
May – July: period of greatest disruption to residents; contamination and earth moving will be done in this period. There will be a considerable number of lorry movements
Aug – Oct: laying out and seeding of the pitches
July 2014: pre-season training for the professionals
Sept 2014: training etc for amateurs and schools
Club House
June: start work
May 2014: club house complete
Communications
Website
London Irish are happy to have a website/link to a separate page on their website to update the local community on progress and the Council will keep a dedicated page on its website.
Ward Councillors
All 6 affected ward councillors will be notified (with full details) the day before any formal communication goes out to the local community.
Newsletter
The project managers have agreed to publish a newsletter at key stages (which will be on their website and will go to Ward Cllrs and LOSRA).
Complaints register
The project managers will keep a complaints register which will be forwarded to officers, ward cllrs., and LOSRA on a monthly basis. This will help ascertain whether there is an individual or more widespread issue which needs addressing (e.g. mud on roads)
It will also act as a record of how LI have dealt with the complaint
Promotion
It was accepted that there was a lot of controversy locally when the applications and appeals were being considered. London Irish are keen to demonstrate that they are working with everyone.
Our members should feel free to contact LOSRA through the Website if they have any matters which they wish to draw to the attention of the project managers whilst the work is in progress over the next year and a half.
The Avenue
The project managers are not involved in this site. However they will get a full briefing from their clients on where matters are in readiness for the inevitable questions that will arise about this site as soon as work starts on the rugby centre of excellence
If LI are ready to move into Hazelwood in September 2014 then the Avenue site is likely to be marketed before then (probably towards the middle/end of this year). A separate communication strategy will need to be put in place once this has firmed up.
Can You Help Find Kiffy?
This delightful English Blue cat went missing in the Loudwater Close area two days ago. He answers to the name 'Kiffy' and is very friendly.
The owner is particularly anxious about him as he is a house cat, rarely venturing outside and having left his house, he may be unable to find his way back.
Householders in the area are asked to check their sheds and garages and report any sightings to: 07768 070611.
UPDATE
We are delighted to report that Kiffy is safe and well, and has been reunited with his owners.
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.
