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.
Spelthorne Scoops Prestigious Award
Spelthorne Council's continued efforts to create a cleaner, greener and more colourful Borough were, once again, recognised at this year's prestigious South & South East in Bloom Award.
In particular, The ever-popular Sunbury Walled Garden, pictured, struck gold in the Small Park competition. This matches their successes from both 2019 and 2020.The judge commented on the Walled Garden, saying: "My first visit to Sunbury Walled Garden and how impressed I was [by the] amazing, beautiful, very attractive gardens, well maintained to a very high standard."
In addition, Sunbury, Ashford and Staines Cemeteries all picked up gold awards in the cemeteries category.
Surrey Neighbourhood Watch - Police Survey
The following self-explanatory email has been received from Surrey Neighbourhood Watch and we are pleased to publish it here:Surrey Police have recently launched an external engagement survey programme where they are working to understand how to better engage with our communities. They have asked Neighbourhood Watch to distribute the link to the survey.
Here is a chance to have your say regarding Surrey Policing.
Their message is:
Regards
Martin Stilwell
Chair, Surrey NhW
Music Nights to Resume at the SCC on 8th October
Music Nights resume at Sunbury Cricket Club on FRIDAY 8TH OCTOBER, with a special “Welcome Back To Music Nights” gig by the Club's all-star house band THE CHAIN GANG.
It was decided to do it this way because after a break of eighteen months the Club wanted to test the water before it started booking outside bands, and also because it was thought the circumstances demanded a bit of a party night to celebrate being back, and the CHAIN GANG shows are very much that kind of occasion.
The CHAIN GANG always play at the Club's annual Mayor’s Charity Night, but the proceeds from this Music Night will be used to help fund much-needed improvements to the Club’s patio area, and the musicians, as usual, will be giving their services free.
Playing its customary mix of rock ‘n’ roll, ‘60s R&B, rock, blues and country, the line-up features the familiar array of talented musicians associated with the Club which is particularly delighted to welcome back on guitar and vocals our very own beat era superstar, Karl Green, former Sunbury resident, who was the original long-time bass player with Herman’s Hermits, and then often played at the club with his band Dave’s Not here.
The band also features guitarists Gerry Cook, originally with Decca recording band from the ‘60s The Saxons and now with Matrix; Chris Allard, once with top Nottingham band Dawn Trader, and now also with Matrix – he will also be on harmonica; and Mark Doyle of The Marshall Taylor Band. Bass players are Phil Miller-Tate from The Marshall Taylor Band; Martin House, formerly with Life And Soul and now with The Next Big Thing; and Roger Harding, once with a recording line-up of East Of Eden and now with The Rebel Yell Jazz Orchestra among others. On keyboards is Kevin Welling, once a band colleague of Elaine Paige and a member of Dave’s Not Here, and now with the Stan Bland Band; and on drums is Stephane Booroff, formerly with Edison Lighthouse and now leader of jazz group The Blue Notes as well as being with a new line-up of 70s hit band Butterscotch. On vocals and rhythm guitar is Music Night organiser Paul Watts.
Hot food, prepared by the expert chefs from our resident caterers from the food bank charity Surplus To Supper, will be available from 7pm, and the band will be on stage at about 8.45pm.
Admission is £10.00 on the door, payable by cash or card. If you are not already a member of the Club – annual social membership is £10 and you can join on the night just by filling in a form – our licensing arrangements require that we take your details on admission so that you can be signed in by a member.
The musicians are very much looking forward to playing again and the club hopes to welcome a good crowd to kick things off with a bang.
Local Plan - Presentation to Residents' Associations
On 20th September, Ann Biggs, The Strategic Planning Manager for Spelthorne Borough Council, gave a comprehensive presentation to Residents' Associations on the Local Plan and its progress towards completion and eventual submission in June 2022.
Georgina Jackson and the Terence Collie Trio at the RAC on 26th September
Another great evening of jazz at the Riverside Arts Centre is in prospect for Sunday 26th September.
The Terence Collie Trio is joined by Georgina Jackson, vocals and trumpet.
Poppy Appeal Event on 18th September
A poppy appeal event will be held at the Admiral Hawke Pub on Saturday, 18th September between 12pm and 5pm.
More...
Spelthorne launches Arts and Culture consultation
The following press statement has been released by the Council:
Spelthorne Borough Council is holding a consultation on the Arts and Culture provision in the Borough.
Arts and Culture play a vital role in helping to make Spelthorne a prosperous and attractive place to live. Like the Arts Council England, Spelthorne Borough Council believe the Arts have the power to change lives and create opportunities for people.
We acknowledge that the current cultural infrastructure could be improved. To help us to develop a new strategy for Arts and Culture in the Borough and shape our future plans, we want to hear from you. We would like to understand how you currently engage with the Arts, where you go for cultural pursuits, the type of activities you would like to do in the future and any barriers you come across when trying to access the Arts.
The consultation will run for four weeks from 1-28 September.
To take part visit https://spelthorne.inconsult.uk/
Alternatively, if you would like a printed copy of the consultation sent to you, email your postal address to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01784 444260.
Chair of Spelthorne’s Community Wellbeing and Housing Committee, Cllr Sandra Dunn, said: “Arts and culture bring people together and provide a sense of vitality, belonging and civic pride. A strong arts and cultural offering is not only good for individuals and families, but also benefits the wider community and local economy.
“We are keen to understand what currently works well here in Spelthorne and where improvements could be made. By taking part in the consultation you will have the opportunity to say what cultural and creative facilities and events you personally value and help to shape future provision within the Borough."
Louise King, PR & Communications Officer
Spelthorne Borough Council, Council Offices, Knowle Green, Staines-upon-Thames TW18 1XB
Tel: 01784 444260
Spelthorne Council Welcomes 58 Afghan refugees
Further to the article posted on Monday (see below) the Council has published the following notice:
Spelthorne is pleased to confirm that 58 Afghan refugees, including 10 women and 38 children, arrived in the Borough to move into temporary accommodation, after the successful completion of their quarantine period. This accommodation is being funded by the Home Office, while Councils across the region assist them in providing a longer-term solution.
The Council is extremely grateful to residents across the Borough, partners including our foodbanks and Council staff for their generosity in asking how they can help and make donations to support these refugees. Our guests are being provided with appropriate catering and each of them has been provided with a welcome pack, which has been translated for them.
We are currently assessing what support each of them will need in terms of donations, such as clothing, which would need to be new or nearly new and clean, and we will look to provide details on how you can support them in the coming days.
We would also like to acknowledge and thank the charity Penny Appeal for generously assisting the Council by providing funds to assist with purchasing clothing, toys, educational items and travelcards.
Cllr Lawrence Nichols, Leader of the Council, said: "On behalf of Spelthorne residents, I want to extend a warm welcome to our guests. I am humbled by the offers of help we have had from Spelthorne residents and partners and I want to thank everyone who has got in touch. The Family Support team are working with these refugees and are establishing what support they need, and we will update you when we can on how best you can help."
Volunteers needed to support families
Home-Start Spelthorne are looking for kind, caring volunteers with parenting experience who can offer a few hours a week to support a family.
The volunteers will provide practical help with parenting as well as emotional support, friendship and a listening ear.
The next Volunteer Preparation Course is starting in November so if you would like further information, please visit the Council's website at www.home-startspelthorne.org or call them on 01784 463200 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Spelthorne ready to support refugees
The following press release from the Council has been emailed to the Association and we are pleased to reproduce it here:
Spelthorne is preparing to offer immediate assistance, with financial backing from the Government, to support Afghan refugees. The Council also stands ready to support the Government’s longer-term resettlement scheme to help those fleeing their country following the Taliban’s takeover.
Spelthorne Council officers had already prepared a report on the Afghan Relocation Scheme, which is designed for Afghani Locally Employed Staff (for example interpreters who assisted the UK armed forces, and their families), which will be presented to the Community Wellbeing & Housing Committee in September. The scheme is designed to resettle and integrate Afghan families, who have supported our Armed Forces for the past two decades, into local communities and will involve the Government fully financing any resources we commit to support and we are considering how best to help.
However, following events this week we have had emergency meetings with the Home Office with a view to offering immediate support for families who have been forced to leave their country, pending longer term accommodation being found in the UK. The Government announced on 18th August a new resettlement scheme to help 20,000 Afghan nationals take refuge in the UK over a five-year period. The Government scheme will see 5,000 Afghani nationals who are at risk due to the current crisis, resettled in its first year with priority given to women and girls, and religious and other minorities. More details about the Government’s scheme can be found here: www.gov.uk/government/news/bespoke-resettlement-route-for-afghan-refugees-announced
Cllr Lawrence Nichols, Leader of the Council, said: “We are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe unfolding before our eyes in Afghanistan, and we have a moral obligation to help. The lives of these people are threatened, and they are in dire need of urgent assistance. Spelthorne Council is committed to doing our fair share to help. This country owes a great debt to those who worked with and supported our troops over the last two decades, so it is only right that we help them.”
The Council, recent recipients of the Gold Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, also acknowledges that there will be veterans who served in Afghanistan living in the Borough, who may be affected by the Taliban’s takeover. We have a veterans’ hub in the Borough, which allows the Armed Forces Community to connect. Details of which can be found here: www.spelthorne.gov.uk/article/20281/Veterans-Hub-opens-in-Spelthorne
Veterans who need specialist support are encouraged to reach out to the services available to them. Options can be found on the following websites:
- www.army.mod.uk/people/join-well/managing-stress/ask-for-help/
- www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/armed-forces-and-veterans-healthcare/veterans-nhs-mental-health-services/
- Combat Stress – 0800 138 1619 (Veterans and families), 0800 323 4444 (Serving personnel and families)
- www.spelthorne.gov.uk/afc
Cllr Robin Sider, the Council’s Armed Forces Champion, said: “As a former member of the Armed Forces, I can fully empathise with what many will be feeling at witnessing these tragic scenes in Afghanistan. I want to assure veterans that you are not alone and support is available to you via the Armed Forces Network and the NHS.”
Summer 2021 Newsletter to View online
Meeting, plus the Regatta and Christmas Fair, not happening, our paid-up membership has dropped significantly.
Famous Brecon Jazz Festival Comes to Sunbury, Saturday 21st August
Regrettably the Leo Richardson concert scheduled for 3rd August has been cancelled due to circumstances beyond the control of the organisers.
However, the exciting news is that the organisers of the famous Brecon Jazz Festival have asked Mood Indigo Events to collaborate with them this year.
Instead of being put on 'live' in Brecon over one weekend, it is to be spread out throughout August in Brecon and other various locations (including the Riverside Arts Centre).
Three excellent bands will be performing at the Centre from 2pm and the live-stream will be watched by an international audience.
In-the-venue concert tickets are being sold through the MoodIndigo website at https://www.moodindigoevents.
Postponed Leo Richardson Gig Re-scheduled to 3rd August
The Leo Richardson gig at the Riverside Arts Centre which was scheduled for the same night as the European Cup Final (Scroll down to 23rd June) was postponed (unsurprisingly) through lack of support.
It will now take place on Tuesday 3rd August.
Invite to Lunch for Sunbury and Halliford Business Community. 30th July
An invitation to Sunbury and Halliford businesses to register for a lunch with Business Secretary and MP for Spelthorne, Rt Hon. Kwasi Kwarteng and at which the Deputy Chief Executive for Surrey CC will also be present on 30th July has been forwarded to LOSRA by Buddhi Weerasinghe, our recently elected county councillor.
