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.
Council Sets out Stall for Dealing with Unauthorised Development
LOSRA frequently gets asked about breaches of planning policy and how to enlist the support of the Enforcement Officers at Spelthorne Council. Whilst we have no criticism of the EOs and appreciate the difficult job they are required to do with limited resources, we nevertheless welcome a plan which formalises the Council's responses to complaints by our members.
We have been informed that Spelthorne Council approved a Local Enforcement Plan at its Cabinet meeting on 24 September. This sets out the Council’s approach for dealing with unauthorised development and carrying out enforcement activities.
Planning permission is needed for many types of development and changes in use of land or buildings. Permission is also required to erect many forms of advertisements and there are controls to protect listed buildings and preserved trees. When development or work takes place without permission, or not in line with planning permission or conditions placed on it, the Council has various legal powers to take what is called 'enforcement' action to remedy the problem.
The Local Enforcement Plan sets out how the Council prioritises complaints received about unauthorised building work or uses of land, sets service standards for dealing with initial complaints; and provides information on how complaints are to be processed and the range of enforcement options available. The plan states that priority will be given to dealing with those complaints which relate to actions which cause the most harm and that the Council will usually seek to prosecute those who damage listed buildings or fell protected trees.
To read the Local Enforcement Plan visit www.spelthorne.gov.uk/enforcement
Skeleton Crew to Make Debut Appearance at SCC, 25th October
The next Music Night is on Friday 25th October when Sunbury Cricket Club welcomes SKELETON CREW to the Club for the first time. It's a band whose members will be familiar to many of you, as two of the stalwarts are former Sunbury residents who have played in the area many times over the years. The band’s leader is Paul King, playing guitar, mandolin, banjo, harmonica and squeezebox. He is an original member of Mungo Jerry, who went on to be voted the Evening Standard pub entertainer of the year several years in a row. He was a founder member of the King Earl Boogie Band, who appeared at the Club recently.
With him is bass player Colin Pattenden, original member of Manfred Mann’s Earth Band in their hit-making days, and now also with Jackie Lynton and the Nashville Teens. Both Paul and Colin were regulars in the Magpie and Phoenix for many years on Christmas Day playing jug band carols along with Colin Earl of King Earl Boogie Band.
On guitar is Chris Bryant, who famously owns Bryant’s Musical Instruments in Tin Pan Alley - Denmark Street - in the West End, so you can be sure he knows his way round the guitar, and on drums is Greg Terry-Short, who has played with Ozzy Osborne, Peter Green and Jackie Lynton.
Please come along so that we have a big crowd to welcome the guys back to Sunbury for the first time in a long while – it will be a fun night.
Thames 21 Welcomes Volunteers
The following email has been received by LOSRA from Thames 21 and we are pleased to reproduce it here:
Autumn greetings Volunteers and Supporters.
Thank you for all your participation in the project at your local site throughout the past year. We have worked with more people and groups this time than last year and the sites have improved year on year, not only in terms of enhancement but the awareness of the hard work and great contributions that have been made for the River Thames and tributaries by many organisation’s and people.
Please see the latest list of Non -Tidal River Thames events for. Details of the public events are also on the Thame21 website http://www.thames21.org.uk/events/
Additional events are too be added as we develop the programme, so watch this space and please feel free to offer up any ideas for the project and new contacts.
I very much look forward to meeting you, your friends while on the riverside at these events.
Best Wishes Luke (Luke Dameron)
Our local diary dates for Sunbury Lock Ait fall on Saturday 19th October and 16th November. Thames 21 are looking for volunteers to help with bank clearance to habitat construction, litter pick and revival of an apple tree. If you can spare a few hours (10am - 1pm) you would be most welcome. Although protective clothing is provided old clothes are advised.
London Irish RFC Plans for Hazelwood Golf Course - Update
Progress continues as planned and LIRFC remain on schedule to complete the whole project by June 2014.
Pitches
The pitchworks are nearing completion, and the attached photographs show the progress to date. The formation of the pitches is complete, with seeding and landscaping the remaining tasks to enable project completion.
Clubhouse
The clubhouse works have started, and foundations are currently being installed. The frame of the building will start to be erected in November.
Only a very small number of complaints have been received to date and these were dealt with promptly.
Alan Ayckbourn's Life and Beth comes to the Riverside Arts Centre
Shepperton Players' next production is Life and Beth by Alan Ayckbourn. It's Christmas Eve, and Beth is remembering her husband Gordon who has recently passed away. Her first Christmas without him will be difficult, not least because Gordon's sister Connie is there to help and hinder Beth whilst drinking most of her wine. Joining the two women is Martin, Beth's son and his girlfriend Ella, whose attempts to take control of proceedings cause more chaos and mayhem than Beth would like. Add to this the local vicar David, who is revered by Connie, but who in turn takes a liking to Beth, and trouble is on the horizon. David's well meaning prayer for Beth sets even more emotional upheaval in progress, and the scene is set for a Christmas that Beth really didn't see coming. If only Gordon were there to help her ...
The play which is funny moving and dark, with Ayckbourn's typical witty dialogue and wonderful characters, will be staged at the Riverside Arts Centre on 10th - 12th October; curtain up at 8pm. Tickets at £10 may be obtained from the box office on 07505 206757.
Legendary Blues Singer, Paul Cox and The Proof at Sunbury Cricket Club this Friday
The next Music Night is on Friday 27th September when SCC welcome back the excellent rock, soul and blues vocalist Paul Cox with his band The Proof, featuring special guest Micky Moody. Paul has been described by Radio 2’s Paul Jones as “the best voice in Europe” and he is a regular at festivals all round the Continent. The Proof comprises some regulars at the club, including Roger Cotton on keyboards and Pete Stroud on drums, both of whom have appeared with Buddy Whittington. Roger, who produces the band’s records, is a veteran of John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, and has played and recorded with the likes of Dr. Feelgood and Eric Bibb and was also a member of Peter Green’s Splinter Group along with Pete Stroud. Guitarist Mike Summerland has also worked with top names over the years, including Georgie Fame, William Bell, The Marvelettes, Doris Troy and Blodwyn Pig. Bassist Nigel Hardy has worked with many top American blues names, and played with Robert Palmer for many years.
The great rock guitarist Micky Moody, who was in Juicy Lucy and Snafu and then with Whitesnake through their glory years (he co-wrote some of their material including “Fool For Your Lovin’”), played on Paul & The Proof’s recently-released album “100% The Proof”, and Paul has arranged for Micky to appear with the band for this gig which is a real treat. Micky is a brilliant guitarist and an equally entertaining personality, so it’s a great bonus to have him at the Club for the gig.
It promises to be another excellent evening of top quality blues, soul, rock and R&B. Don't miss it.
More...
Vote for your community hero - BBC Sussex and BBC Surrey Community Heroes Awards 2013
LOSRA has received the following email from the BBC with a request for its publication:
BBC Sussex and BBC Surrey are proud to announce the return of the BBC Sussex and BBC Surrey Community Heroes Awards for 2013.
Now in its third year, the awards are firmly established as an annual celebration of some truly remarkable people. From Monday 9th September, BBC Sussex and BBC Surrey will be seeking nominations in twelve categories providing the perfect opportunity to say thank you to all those who make Sussex and Surrey such great places to live and work.
The categories range from Young Achiever for anyone aged 18 or under who has demonstrated maturity beyond their years, to Good Neighbour for someone who has gone out of their way to help and support their neighbours and local community.
This year, due to popular demand, the awards have two brand new categories; Contribution to the Arts and Contribution to Education, recognising the work people do in these fields and marking their importance.
Sara David, Editor of BBC Sussex and BBC Surrey commenting on the launch of the awards said: "We are thrilled to be able to launch these awards for a third successive year. We were overwhelmed with the quality of entries received in 2012 and moved by some of the incredible stories that we heard. We are really looking forward to receiving this year’s nominations. ”
Please do have a look at the attached flyer and we’d also love you to share this with all the groups and contacts in your address book too.
If you know anyone who fits the bill and deserves a thank you – then nominating couldn’t be easier!
Nominations should say in no more than 250 words who you would like to nominate and why, including your name, address and contact number. Entries should then be emailed to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by post: BBC Sussex and BBC Surrey, Broadcasting Centre, Guildford, GU2 7AP.
The deadline for suggestions is midnight on Sunday 20th October 2013 and there will be a special gala night of celebration in December. If you need any further information, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Thank you for being part of BBC Sussex and BBC Surrey!
Please Look out for Friends, Family and Neighbours
With the evenings closing in, it's even more important that friends family and neighbours remain vigilant when it comes to elderly residents living within the community. These are just two examples of money saved through Trading Standards officers interventions this past week:
1. £4000 was saved to a lone, elderly vulnerable man in Camberley who was in the process of being ripped off following an unsolicited visit, regarding unnecessary, overpriced work to jetwash and paint his roof.
2. £4700 saved to another lone, elderly, vulnerable man in Shepperton who was also in the process of being ripped off following an unsolicited visit, again regarding unnecessary, overpriced work to jetwash and paint his roof.
Although the route by which scammers find their victims may vary (doorstep visit, phone call, post or email) - all of these scams are initiated via unsolicited 'coldcall' approaches to the victims.
To view the full version of the latest Trading Standards Alert, click here
Environment Agency Site - Information Day - 25th September, Riverside Arts Centre
A number of residents have been in contact with LOSRA wondering why all seems to have gone quiet regarding the Environment Agency development site in Fordbridge Road. For those residents, and any others who may have missed ealier LH exhibitions, an Information Day has been arranged by Linden Homes at the Riverside Arts Centre on Wednesday 25th September from 12 midday – 4pm.
With the site works due to start in October, the purpose of the event is to make the project and site managers available to any local residents who would like to meet them and/or understand a bit more about the development project and site works.
Effect of Proposed Changes to Fire Service Cover in Spelthorne
The effects of the proposed changes to the Surrey Fire and Rescue Service deployments in Spelthorne were computer-modelled, and the results presented on the Surrey County Council website as part of the Public Consultation.
However, we could not find any modelling results on the Surrey County Council website which included the particular configuration proposed for Spelthorne – a single fire-engine based at a new fire-station.
This omission prompted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request by LOSRA to Surrey County Council and the results of the modelling relating to the particular changes proposed for Spelthorne are now available to be viewed here
With the benefit of this additional information, LOSRA has prepared a briefing note which comprehensively explains the worrying implications of reducing Spelthorne's fire stations from two to one. To view, click here.
Further to the articles published on 23rd August and 4th September, the Chairman has contacted Surrey County Council and requested an additional public meeting to be held in Sunbury and we await SCC's reply. As soon as details become known, an announcement will be posted on this site.
STOP PRESS:
Further to the articles published on 23rd August and 4th September, The Chairman contacted Surrey County Council and requested an additional public meeting to be held in Sunbury and it has now been confirmed that the meeting will take place on Thursday, 10 October, 7-9pm at the Sunbury Manor School. Residents are encouraged to register their interest and book a place, either through this email address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone 01737 242444 (otherwise it's first come first served).
Piano Recital at the Riverside Arts Centre - 2nd October
Italian concert pianist Carlo Grante studied in Rome, in Miami, at the Juilliard School in New York, and with Aliza Kezeradze in London. He has given concerts all over the world, in renowned halls such as Wigmore and the Musikverein. He is renowned for his immense technical prowess and for the integrity of his musicianship. Die Presse in Vienna described him as “a knight of the piano, without blemish and without fear”.
Carlo Grante has made over 50 recordings, of the music of Scarlatti, Mozart, Clementi, Schumann, Mussorgsky, Debussy, Godowsky, Busoni and Ravel. This year he is playing mostly works by F. Chopin, but also the world premiere of a capriccio by Czech composer Jan Novak.
On 2 October, he is offering a recital to participants in his Riverside Piano Seminar of 3-4 October, and extends an invitation to the general public.
Click here to view the flyer which gives full details of the programme
Trading Standards Alert - Students beware!
The latest TS Alert draws attention to rental fraud which happens when would-be tenants are tricked into paying an advance fee to rent a property. Last year The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau warned students to be careful when looking for university rental accommodation at this time of year. Fraudulent landlords are making £755 million a year from the scam, and costs individuals £2,394 per victim.
Also featured in the Alert is a warning to beware of emails pretending to be from Facebook suggesting "Pages you might like" that direct you to websites laced with malware. To view the full TS Alert, click here.
Spelthorne Public Meetings for Fire Service Consultation
Further to the article published on 23rd August, LOSRA has just received the following email from Surrey County Council:
As part of the continuing consultation process regarding changing the number of fire engines based in Spelthorne, two public meetings have been scheduled. Residents and other stakeholders are invited to find out more and ask questions to Officers and Myself.
The meetings will take place as follows:
- Tuesday, 17 September 2013, 7-9pm, Hengrove Scout HQ, Station Crescent, Ashford TW15 3HN.
- Wednesday, 25 September 2013, 7-9pm, Staines Community Centre, Thames St, Staines-upon-Thames TW18 4EA
Spaces are allocated on a first come, first serve basis. Please register which meeting you would like to attend and if you have any specific access requirements by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For more information about the proposals please see www.surrey-fire.gov.uk/psp
Kay Hammond
Cabinet Associate Fire and Police Services
Surrey County Council
Time to Vote for the Sunbury Walled Garden
A record breaking 1,448 parks and green spaces this year received a Green Flag Award and people are now urged to vote for the nation's favourite.
The annual People's Choice Award, managed by Keep Britain Tidy, is now open - giving the public the power to decide which one of the 1,448 Green Flag sites should be named park of the year with an online vote.
So now is your chance to tell the world how much you value your local park. To vote:
- Visit http://www.greenflagaward.org/
- Select the South East region on the interactive map
- Find the Sunbury Walled Garden and select
- Click the 'vote for this site' button
Paul Todd, Keep Britain Tidy's Green Flag Award scheme manager said: "Our judges have decided on this year's winners of the coveted Green Flag Award but the public now have the opportunity to decide which park or green space deserves The People's Choice Award."
The vote will close at midday on 1 October and the winner of the 2013 People's Choice will be announced on 9 October at a ceremony in London.
