Spelthorne Council is to replace the watering system at Sunbury Walled Garden with a more efficient and economic arrangement. Work should begin in early July and take around two weeks to complete.

Following intermittent failure of the current irrigation system as well as water wastage and consequent footpath damage, the Council is to spend £28,000 on an improved scheme to replace the 20-year old one.

Most residents will be aware that The Walled Garden in Thames Street hosts the Millennium Embroidery building with a cafe open six days a week and is popular with both visitors and locals who come to see the wide variety of plants and trees, one of which, a Persian Lilac, is extremely rare. It also has a knot garden – intricate weaving of dwarf hedges – and a Victorian rose garden. The Richard Stothard Memorial Clematis Collection also has a home here.

It has become obvious over the last few months in particular, that the watering system was failing, not covering the areas required and flooding footpaths. This has meant large amounts of time being spent manually watering and also the potential danger to disabled and wheelchair users who find the waterlogged paths increasingly hazardous to navigate.

LOSRA has had enough experience of planning appeals to know that it is never wise to attempt second guessing the possible outcomes. What can be said without doubt is that, as the official Third Party to the eleven day proceedings, the best possible case was put before the Planning Inspector. The Inquiry itself was the culmination of months of preparatory work by a dedicated team of LOSRA witnesses whose evidence survived all material rebuttals and often hostile cross-examination. Despite this and recognising that difficult moments are to be expected at such proceedings, the Inquiry was conducted with unfailing courtesy and good humour on the part of all advocates.

We are not clear as to the time scale before the judgement will become known as the Planning Inspector must first report with his recommendations to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. It will be for the Minister to make the final decision and there is no way of telling how long this may take. A best (though not particularly helpful) guess would be mid-September to mid-October.

LOSRA is very grateful to all those who took the time out to attend this lengthy and sometimes very technical Inquiry. The silent support of those in the public gallery was a great encouragement to all the LOSRA participants.

After numerous postponements following the legal challenge funded by LOSRA, Charlton Village Residents Association (CVRA) and Shepperton Against the Eco Park (SATEP), the Planning and Regulatory Committee of Surrey County Council will finally hear and determine the application by SITA for the installation of an incinerator at the existing site of the Waste Transfer Station at Charlton Lane.

The agenda for the special meeting of the Planning & Regulatory Committee to be held at 10.30am on 30 June 2011 at County Hall Kingston, is now available on the SCC website.

In common with Charlton Village and Shepperton residents, LOSRA remains implacably opposed to this most unwelcome proposal and speakers are lined up to speak against it at the Planning and Regulatory Committee. Residents who may have a couple of hours to spare on Thursday morning are urged to attend and support the opposition.

LOSRA receives frequent queries about the future of the former Met. Police Cadet Training College in Green Street.

We have now heard that a telephone auction to sell the property was held on Friday 10th June.

Estate Agent Knight Frank received a number of offers for the property, and it is expected to take up to two months to confirm a successful bid.

Details of interested parties have not been revealed.

The Sunbury & Shepperton Arts Association is delighted to announce this year's Arts Festival which runs from 9-17 July. Attached is a copy of this year's leaflet which details all the events.

DRAMA
The festival opens with a production of A Voyage Round My Father by Shepperton Players and, later in the week, Elizabeth Mansfield, who has previously performed in Sunbury to strong acclaim, returns with a production featuring the drama and music of Edith Piaf and Bertolt Brecht. This will doubtless be of particular interest to ‘A’ level drama students.

MUSIC
Following their success at last year’s Festival, Ardente Opera returns with an evening of operatic scenes featuring members of the National Opera Studio and the Royal Academy of Music. Popular local pianist, Peter Croser, will also perform an afternoon recital, followed by tea, and St Nicolas Church in Shepperton will be the venue for the Maria Sanger and Dawn Johnston who will perform a concert of Baroque Music on Recorder, Theorbo, Baroque Guitar and Lute.

WORKSHOPS
In addition there will be three workshops on offer. Adult participants can learn Batik or Sugarcraft and can take home the results of their efforts. And specially for children there will be a Ukulele Workshop followed by a concert for all ages. Workshop participants will perform in the concert, led by Ukulele pro, Clive Harvey. Numbers on all the workshops are limited so early booking is advised.

The festival will also host an Historical Walk in Sunbury, guided by Nick Pollard, and the Centre’s Studio will also be the venue for an exhibition of local photographer Vic Kettle’s work. Finally there is even a talk on the Art of Libya for those keen to know more about the country in these troubled times.

Visit the SSAA website at www.ssaa-arts.org for further information and tickets or call the Box Office on 01932 782788.

The Church Administrator at the Open Door Church, Green Street invites all to attend their annual Community Fun Day to be held at Springfield School, Nursery Road. The event, which will be held between 1pm - 4pm this Saturday 2nd July, is free to our local community (except ice creams which are available to be bought). Attractions include a barbecue, refreshments, Go Karts, Bouncy castles & inflatable games, sumo wrestling, Kidz Klub games, football, toddler area, crafts, ambulance and fire engine, face & nail painting, live music and the Tea Pot – a child free zone.

The Fun Day has been held for several years now and last year attracted just under 1000 visitors to the Event!