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.
Guitarist and composer Tim Rose began working professionally in 1995 whilst still at college.
Since this time he has played with many artists including Toyah Willcox, Gerry Marsden, Dave Dee, Mike d’Abo, Mike Pender, Roger Whittaker, Matt Monro Junior, Shaun Williamson, Ron Moody, Brian Conley, Bradley Walsh, The Nolans, Robin Cousins, Al Martino, PJ Proby, Gerard Kenny, David Essex, Carol Decker, Cheryl Baker, Jimmy Osmond, Paul Potts, Beverley Knight and Randy Brecker. In 2013 and 2014 Tim toured with Strictly Come Dancing star Brendan Cole. Tim has also performed with the Philharmonia Orchestra a number of times. TV appearances include the ‘Bond 50th Anniversary Concert’ with The Philharmonia and ‘David Walliams celebrates Dame Shirley Bassey’ on BBC One.
Tim works extensively in London’s West End having played on some 15 shows including Footloose, Saturday Night Fever, Evita, Jersey Boys, Betty Blue Eyes, Priscilla, Shrek, Thriller Live, Beautiful, Kinky Boots, The Bodyguard, Memphis, Wicked, Book of Mormon and Grease on which he held the guitar chair for three and a half years.
In November 2016 Tim released his first solo album, ‘Outlook’ on Pathway Records. All Compositions are written by Tim and feature Paul Booth, Graeme Flowers, Dave Whitford, Chris Wong, John Humphrey and Ryan Farmery. Other projects Tim has been involved with include a guitar duo with Andy Phillip playing instrumental interpretations of songs by the singer songwriters of the 1970s and jazz fusion quartet Ragin' Hormones (featuring Steve Richardson, Richard Beesley and Seb Guard). This ensemble produced an album in 2005 called 'How it Starts'.
Tim will be performing with Graeme Flowers on trumpet and the Terence Collie Trio at the Riverside Arts Centre on Sunday 9th July.
This notice is a brief reminder that the Annual General Meeting of our Association will take place at the Riverside Arts Centre, Thames Street, this coming Wednesday, 21st June at 8pm.
To see the agenda and details of the guest speaker, scroll down to our notice of 30th May.
The following notice has been published by the Chairman of London Irish Amateur RFC:
"Following the difficult and unfortunate news that our cousins the London Irish professional team have been suspended by the RFU from the premiership, the Executive committee of London Irish Amateur Rugby Football club (LIARFC) would like to remind members that we are a separate independent member of the RFU and therefore our own position is unaffected by this suspension.
"We continue to work with the pros over the management of Hazelwood and remain confident that we will be back for pre-season training in July and playing rugby at Hazelwood at the start of the new season in September.
"We would be grateful if you could assist in promoting this message and we will provide further updates as the situation unfolds.This is a difficult and unsettling time for all those involved with the professional club, and we remain hopeful for a speedy conclusion to the proposed takeover discussions.
"Our best wishes go out to all the players and staff members.
Yours in Rugby"
Kevin Flynn
Chairman – London Irish Amateur RFC
A report in The Times on 10th June gives a historical perspective and the current state of affairs for the professional Club:
"A considerable amount of public money is tied up in the three Premiership Rugby clubs who have gone into administration in the last year. Wasps, Worcester and London Irish all took loans of millions of pounds from the government, ostensibly to tide them over during the Covid pandemic, so there is some uncertainty over whether it will be paid back.
"London Irish, who filed for administration on Thursday, took a £8.2 million loan in 2021 from Sport England – effectively from the Government – at an interest rate of 2 per cent.
"It doesn’t look great, however, that London Irish Holdings Ltd’s most recent accounts show that their total owed to creditors is more than £37 million but the club’s assets only amount to £19.8 million."
Following the Extraordinary Council Meeting on 6 June 2023 where a motion was agreed to pause the remainder of the Local Plan examination hearings, the Chief Executive has written to the Planning Inspector to put forward this request on behalf of the Council.
On Thursday 8 June, the Inspector has written to the Council in which he states, "Having carefully considered the Council's request, I agree that in this specific circumstance a pause in the examination for a period of three months would be reasonable."
The Local Plan sets out where and when homes will be built up until 2037 and had reached the examination stage with an independent government inspector.
Our support for the draft Local Plan has been often publicly stated. It is not perfect but there are huge risks if we do not have a Plan, even for a short period. Our view was that the Examination in Public should go ahead as it is vital that Spelthorne has a valid and approved Local Plan in place to prevent the possibility of predatory planning applications for sites like Kempton Park, Stratton Road as well as sites in Staines, if there is no Plan as context for their consideration.
Though unsuccessful, we are grateful to councillors Sandra Dunn (Halliford and Sunbury West), Buddhi Weerasinghe (Sunbury East) and Matthew Lee (Sunbury East) for their support in opposing the motion.
Our AGM will take place at the Riverside Arts Centre, Thames Street on 21st June.
To see the agenda and up-to-date news items affecting Lower Sunbury, click here
Paper copies are currently being distributed with your copy of Sunbury Matters.
The most important stage in our new Spelthorne Local Plan - the Examination in Public run by the Planning Inspectorate - has just completed the first week of a total of three. Having a proper approved Local Plan will give the best protection possible to Green Belt in our Borough.
However, at an Extraordinary Council Meeting on 6 June, some local councillors are going to try and stop the Examination from continuing.
The financial cost to all Spelthorne Council Tax payers, and the risk to our Green Belt from not having a Local Plan, will be huge.
Please click here to sign this petition to help stop the delay!
Pre the Covid-19 pandemic, the Patient Participation Group (PPG) and Sunbury Health Centre ran an annual Patient Survey with the objective of gathering the views of patients about the Health Centre services and to act on patient feedback.
Now that services have reverted to pre- dominantly face to face appointments for the clinical team (comprising GPs, Paramedics, Advanced Nurse Practitioners and the Practice nursing team) and other services such as minor surgery and ear microsuction have recommenced, the PPG have re-introduced the Patient Survey.
The 2023 survey is available for patient feedback until 6th June. You can complete the survey online by using this link https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/SHCPS2023 or scanning the QR code below or via the Practice website www.sunburyhealthcentre.co.uk. If you prefer, you can complete a paper copy (collect and return to the Practice).
The survey is anonymous and should take no more than 10 minutes to complete.
The responses will be analysed by the PPG and a report submitted to the Practice. The report will be discussed with the Practice Partners, Practice Management Team and the PPG. The survey results and subsequent action plan will be published in the autumn.
Sunbury Health Centre has a positive track record of acting on patient feedback and you are encouraged to take part in the survey.
Over the years Roger has done many gigs supporting well known artists over the years.
Bands/artists that he's supported include Nina Simone, David Sanborn, Manhattan Transfer, Marcus Miller, Clarence Carter, Vital Information, Herbie Hancock Trio, Tribute to Miles Davis (featuring Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Dave Holland, Tony Williams & Wallace Roney), Garbage, Lee Scratch Perry, Roots, Suzanne Vega, Robben Ford, John Scofield with Eddie Harris, Spyrogyra, Robben Ford, Mike Stern & Bob Berg (with Dennis Chambers), Michael Buble, Alex Chilton, Marianne Faithful & Mike Oldfield.
Roger will be appearing with the Terence Collie Trio at the Riverside Arts Centre on Sunday, 4th June.
When: 11.30am - 4pm
Details: A Coronation concert in the Sunbury Walled Garden with The Linden Wind Orchestra and The Lammas and Staines Brass Band.
The inaugural London Irish Amateur International Girls Festival will be taking place on 30th April.
Whilst we have not been notified of the precise number or age groups attending, we have been assured that the majority will be attending by coach transport. Nonetheless, it is reasonable to suppose that there will be a preference for street parking for those wishing to travel independently.
As a finalist in the BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year 2020, winner of the Rising Star category in the 2019 British Jazz Awards and nominee in the Parliamentary Jazz Awards 2021 & 2022, Alex is known to be one of the most in-demand and versatile young saxophonists to have emerged on the British jazz scene.
Alan Barnes is a prolific international performer, composer, arranger, bandleader and touring soloist. He is best known for his work on clarinet, alto and baritone sax where he combines a formidable virtuosity with a musical expression and collaborative spirit that have few peers.
His range and brilliance have made him a first call for studio and live work since his precocious arrival on the scene more than thirty years ago.
His recorded catalogue is immense. He has made over thirty albums as leader and co-leader alone, and the list of his session and side-man work includes Bjork, Bryan Ferry, Michel LeGrande, Clare Teale, Westlife, Jools Holland and Jamie Cullum. He has toured and played residencies with such diverse and demanding figures as Ruby Braff, Freddie Hubbard, Scott Hamilton, Warren Vache, Ken Peplowski, Harry Allen and Conte Candoli.
Alex and Alan will be appearing with the Terence Collie Trio at the Riverside Arts Centre on Sunday 14th May.