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.
Enjoy a Night of Latin Jazz at the RAC on 3rd September
French guitarist Clement Regert joins the Terence Collie Trio at the Riverside Arts Centre on 3rd September for a night of Latin jazz.
Clement says: " I am a guitarist from Paris, I moved to London UK in 2005. I have been a session guitarist/MD since I left music college in Paris in 2004. My outfit WILD CARD has been playing in the UK and Europe since July 2011. We have recorded 4 albums. I have been lucky enough to play and collaborate with the likes of Marcus Strickland (US), Maurice Brown (US), Charlie Porter (US), Denys Baptiste (UK), Binher Golding (UK),Paul Booth (UK) or Dennis Rollins), Imaani (UK)."
Saxophonist, Renato D'Aiello Joins the Terence Collie Trio at the RAC on 6 August
Renato D'Aiello, Tenor saxophonist, Composer, Producer, Educator born In Naples and resident in London since 1999.Renato D’Aiello has become known as one of the strongest and most beautiful saxophone sounds around. His treatments of jazz standards, and originals, both live and on cd, have won great admiration from audiences and the press.
Renato studied with masters such as Sal Nistico, Tony Scott and Steve Grossman. He has played with great jazzmen including Art Farmer,Sal Nistico, Steve Grossman, Eddie Duran, Kirk Lightsey, Keith Copeland, Duffy Jackson, Tony Scott, Jim Mullen, Bruce Forman, Gene Calderazzo, Phil Lee, G.Husband., Alain jean Marie.
He has played in most of the major venues and festivals in the UK, and since May 2002 has played several times in Paris, receiving warm acclaim from Jazz Hot magazine and TSF radio. Renato also played in Japan, Berlin, Sweden, Spain, Portugal, Norway, Italy, Finland.
Since July 2010 Renato has been running a very successful Monday night upstairs at Ronnie Scott in London and a few other resident gigs like ”Primo bar” at The Plaza Hotel in Westminster,London, Toulouse Lautrec, Spice Of Life. He also performs regularly at Pizza Express Dean Street in London and many other of the best clubs in UK.
As a teacher Renato has been teaching in most of the best Jazz schools in Italy, then Goldsmiths College in London, Sherborne College and done many master classes in Japan ( Nagoya ) UK, Italy and Switzerland.
For booking and venue details, click here
Appeal for Volunteers to Assist with Remembrance Day Parade
The following appeal has been issued by Sunbury Poppy Appeal:
"Would anyone be willing to help with this year's remembrance parade? The team has lost a lot of volunteers.
"It won't be a huge commitment. The team is meeting next Tuesday 25th July 6pm - Admiral Hawk in Sunbury."
Sunbury Regatta to Go Ahead on 12-13 August But Not As We Know it
Sadly, for the reasons mentioned in the notice below, the annual Sunbury Regatta, long a feature of our summer calendar, will not include many of the attractions to which we have become accustomed.
If you are interested in becoming part of the organising volunteers for 2024, then please email your contact details to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Nexus of Independent Councillors Aiming to Thwart Local Plan
Planning Application for Benwell House Phase 2
A planning application submitted by the Council to extend a housing development in Sunbury is now open for comments.
The proposal is to extend an existing development at Benwell House on Green Street in Sunbury-on-Thames by adding 11 one-bedroom 24 two-bedroom privately rented apartments with thirty five additional parking spaces.
More...
2023 AGM - Chairman's Address and Minutes
We were delighted to host a full auditorium including our six councillors from Sunbury East and Halliford & Sunbury West at the Riverside Arts Centre for our AGM on 21st June.
The presentation by Rebecca Kendrick on the Thames Landscape Strategy, was the highlight of the evening and was received with much applause.
A comprehensive summary of the the last year's activities and achievements were covered in the Chairman's address which can be viewed here
The minutes of the AGM may be viewed here
Guitarist, Tim Rose to Perform with Graeme Flowers and the Terence Collie Trio at the RAC on 9th July
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.
Reminder - Our AGM, 21st June at the Riverside Arts Centre
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.
Summer Events - Information to help you make the most of your leisure time
The Council has helpfully published a calendar of summer events.London Irish Hazelwood Centre - The future?
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."
Local Plan's Public Examination Paused
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.
AGM Newsletter Out Now
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.
Urgent Petition To Protect Sunbury's Green Belt
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!
