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.
Finding A Trading Standards Approved Trader
LOSRA received the following information from Surrey Trading Standards:
Are you looking for a reputable trader? Traders4u.co.uk offers a list of local businesses who have each given a commitment to trading fairly. Each business has been vetted by Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards before being approved as a member of the scheme.
From roofers to range cookers, Traders4u is open to any type of business. Our aim is to help you to choose who you do business with by helping you to find reputable local businesses before parting with your money. The scheme forms one element of our strategy to reduce the number of local residents who are scammed or targeted by rogue traders. We hope that by supporting businesses who are committed to providing great customer service and operating legally, we will help to reduce the business opportunities for less reputable traders.
Top tips to avoid getting tricked out of your money:
• Be sceptical, don't be afraid to hang up, bin it, delete it or shut the door
• Take your time, don't be rushed
• Know who you're dealing with, if you need help talk to someone you know or get in touch with trading standards
• If you are online, be aware of fake news and use trusted sources such as gov.uk or NHS.uk
• Be aware of advice online - only seek medical advice from qualified doctors
• Protect your financial information, especially from people you don't know and particularly in light of the recent government announcement
• Do NOT give money, your bank card or PIN to a stranger
• Never engage with someone or let anyone you're not expecting or don't recognise, into your home, unless you are able to verify their authenticity and who they are.
Now, more than ever, it's important to protect ourselves and others against scams, be aware, know who to trust and remember that not everyone out there is trustworthy.
To find a local business that has been vetted, please see https://trusted.traders4u.co.uk/find-a-business
Temporary Pavement Licences
The Covid-19 pandemic has affected businesses across the country causing many to cease trading for several months while others have had to significantly modify their operations.
As the economy started to re-open, new provisions were introduced under the Business and Planning Act 2020 which came into force on 22 July to allow a range of businesses in England to apply for a pavement licence to allow food and drink to be sold and consumed immediately outside their premises at tables.
The Act introduces a simplified temporary fast-track process for registered food businesses to obtain permission, in the form of a 'pavement licence', from Spelthorne Council for furniture to be placed on the pavement, helping businesses to maximise their capacity whilst adhering to social distancing guidelines.
Probably a bit late in the year but, if you want to find out more information and to apply for a pavement licence, you should visit:
PPG Open Meeting at Sunbury Health Centre Cancelled
Social distancing has made it impossible for the Open Meeting at Sunbury Health Centre scheduled for 20th October to go ahead and is therefore cancelled.
Chet Baker Tribute at the RAC on 11th October
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Graeme Flowers will be joining with the Terence Collie trio on Sunday 11th October at the Riverside Arts Centre in a tribute to the great Chet Baker.
Graeme Flowers graduated from the London College of Music in 2000. The list of artists in which he has collaborated, recorded or with whom he has toured is enviable: The James Taylor Quartet, The Brand New Heavies, Lisa Stansfield, Workshy, Dina Carroll, Kyle Eastwood, Quincy Jones, Shakira, Moloko, Duran Duran, James Morrison, Joey Negro, Brenda Russell, Just Jack, Hard-Fi, Jamie Cullum, Craig David, Tony Hadley, ABC, Go West, Charlotte Church, Lemar, Michael Bublé, Will Young, King Salsa, Rhian Benson, Lulu, Emma Bunton, Jools Holland, Cathy Dennis, Melanie C, Kelly Clarkson, Midge Ure, Jamelia, Mica Paris, Ronan Keating, The BBC Big Band, Cubana Bop, Manu Katché, Dominic Miller, Snowboy and Matt Bianco.
In addition, Graeme is a member of the Funk/Soul band Down To The Bone, Latin/Funk/Soul band Saravah Soul, Funk band Most Wanted, the freelance horn section The London Horns and the musical project Motimba.
Walled Garden Picks up Gold Award
This year saw virtual judging being held in the prestigious South & South East In-bloom Awards and the Council rose above competition from hundreds of entrants to pick up four gold awards.
Sunbury, Ashford and Staines Cemeteries all picked up gold awards in the same category. The ever-popular Sunbury Walled Garden also struck gold in the Small Park competition. This matches their successes from 2019.
The judges' comments read: "The Walled Garden is a valuable asset in training and developing horticulturists. The Council, staff and volunteers can rightly feel pleased and proud of their involvement, contribution to the management and maintenance of an outstanding walled garden. Congratulations and well done! You clearly deserve the Gold Award."
New CCTV camera for Orchard Meadow
The following is a very welcome Council press release dated 17th September:
As part of Spelthorne Borough Council’s continued drive to improve community safety, a new, modern CCTV camera has been installed at Orchard Meadow car park in Sunbury.
The camera will be monitored 24/7 along with cameras in Staines-upon-Thames town centre and elsewhere in the Borough.
The installation was arranged in response to concerns regarding anti-social behaviour in the area. The Council will continue to listen to residents’ concerns and, where necessary, take action to help combat anti-social behaviour. We are also taking feedback from our Community Safety consultation earlier this year in order to formulate a strategy for the future.
Cllr Richard Barratt, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, said: “We want to reassure residents that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated in Spelthorne. We hope that installing this modern CCTV camera will act as a deterrent as footage will be used to identify any perpetrators. All of us have a responsibility to deal with anti-social behaviour and to help people who are suffering because it. If you have any concerns about anti-social behaviour, contact your community safety team or call the non-emergency number, 101.”
If you wish to report fly tipping, graffiti, anti-social behaviour, noise pollution or dog fouling, please contact the Council direct.
If you have concerns about other forms of crime, please call police on 101. In an emergency, always dial 999.
More...
Sunbury Jumble Trail - 26th September
Following the success of a similar event in August, where 80 stalls took part in just one week, a similar event is planned for Saturday 26th September.
The feedback from the last Jumble Trail was very encouraging. It should be remembered that social distancing rules (however they may apply on the day) must be observed.
It is free to have a stall or follow the trail. Join the facebook group to view photos of the stalls on the day and get alerts about the event.
facebook.com/groups/
New Residents' Forum - 21st September
Along with other residents' associations across the Borough, LoSRA was invited by the Leader of Spelthorne Council to take part in the newly formed Residents' Forum on 21st September. A fairly detailed list of concerns was submitted in advance by our Chairman and, unsurprisingly, many of those concerns were shared Borough-wide.
The following is an extract from the email which has now been received by our Chairman:
"Thank you for confirming to wish to join our Residents Forum and for clarifying details of your priorities of concerns.
"We have in the first instance established, as was expected, that there are a number of shared concerns and of course some more individual to your communities. I am able to clarify the priorities that have emerged as follows:
- Local Plan (including preserving green belt land within your community)
- Proposals for Unitary Authority
- HGV Traffic
- Regeneration of and Promoting & Supporting your High Street
- 20 MPH Speed Limits
Other individual issues raised:
- Ward Councillors Not Supporting Residents
- Police Authority
- Anti-Social Behaviour
- Studios Expansion – Increased Traffic Flow
- Eco Park
- Youth Provision
- Climate change
- Active Travel Plans
- Housing Policy – Increasing Developers contribution of Affordable Housing
- Poor conditions of Footpaths
- Litter along Main Roads – Removal of Shrubbery
- Parking
"It has been helpful to establish these priorities and there will be an opportunity for us to at the very least discuss your collective concerns at our first meeting."
Simon Allen to Head up another sizzling session at the RAC
Simon Allen began his career with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and the Pendulum Jazz Orchestra, performing alongside the likes of Jazz Stars Art Themen, Gerard Presencer, Jamie Cullum and Peter King.
After being a winner in the Daily Telegraph ‘Young Jazz’ competition, and a finalist in the ‘Young Jazz Musician of the Year’, Simon gained a place at the Royal Academy of Music, and was selected to join UK drummer Clark Tracey's acclaimed Quintet, winning further awards and touring the UK over 7 years.
Simon is also a member of the Laurence Cottle All Star Big Band, and works with Colin Towns Mask Orchestra for the Birmingham Royal Ballet, the Matthew Herbert Big Band.
To see poster and booking arrangements, click here. Please note, pre-booking is essential as no cash can be taken on the door.
Live Jazz to Return to the RAC on 27th August and Beyond!
To see latest newsletter with programme of upcoming events, click here
Funeral of Dennis Brock
For everyone who knew Dennis Brock, his funeral will take place on Tuesday 25th August at 12 noon at St Mary's Church, Sunbury.
It will be a private family funeral but it will be live-streamed on St Mary's fb page (details including order of service are here).
A great Improvement but Let's Have our Lendy Memorial Back!
The ingenuity of staff at the Millennium Embroidery Walled Garden is to be applauded for the mirrored patina applied to the previously boxed Lendy Memorial. Creating, as it does, a novel illusion to a far greater profusion of blooms, it is a great improvement.
Nonetheless, as local residents have made very clear, it is surely now time to have our memorial back.
For those who missed the original notice and still harbour doubts as to the wisdom of its reinstatement, please see the authorative historical account of the Lendy brothers here.
Sunflower Hidden Disability Lanyards
Please be aware of the Sunflower Hidden Disability Lanyards - anyone wearing one of these lanyards has a hidden disability and may not be wearing a mask or able to socially distance how others do. Please give them a bit of space and understanding. Many people are having a hard time while out and about and about at the moment, a bit of understanding goes a long way.
Right at Home GF are giving away 150 official Sunflower Hidden Disability Lanyards to individuals in the local community who have dementia or another hidden disability. Just give them a call on 01252 783426 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your details. Do share this information, the more people who are aware the better.
Spelthorne responds to Unitary Authority Plans
Further to the article published on this site on 3rd August, the Council has released the following press notice:
"Spelthorne Borough Council has set out its response to plans from Surrey County Council to form a single unitary authority.
"Under the current proposals from the County Council, the 11 Districts and Boroughs would be merged together to form a single unitary authority.
They report that it would give the county council greater decision-making powers for Surrey, for example on housing and planning applications.
"Spelthorne do not believe this would be advantageous to our residents and at last week’s Council meeting, Cllr John Boughtflower, Leader of Spelthorne Borough Council said: “We recognise the principles of localism, many of which are incompatible with a single unitary authority within Surrey. We will be investigating alternative forms of Unitary Authorities, which may be more advantageous to Spelthorne and our residents. In the meantime, I will be joining other Borough and District Leaders across Surrey in signing a letter to the Secretary of State registering that a Surrey-wide Unitary is not the optimum solution and that we are committed to exploring what would be.”
"An extract from the letter, signed by Cllr Boughtflower and other Council leaders across the County, read: “The Government has indicated that as an optimum guideline, unitary authorities should represent populations of between 300,000 and 500,000 people per administration. A single unitary authority for Surrey would represent 1.2m people and this would be equivalent to only the larger of metropolitan areas but without the clear sense of locality recognisable to residents across a vastly different geographical spread. Further to this, it would be the largest unitary in England. This is one of the reasons why it is so necessary to evaluate other options which may represent localities (and the characteristics of Surrey communities) more appropriately.”
"Spelthorne, along with other districts and boroughs, have committed to seeking alternative forms of Unitary Authorities and ensure the timing of any such reorganisation is done with residents at first. The Council have also committed to present such considerations to the next Full Council Meeting, which would consider the Government White Paper, should it be available."
