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.
Sunday Lunchtime Jazz at Sunbury Cricket Club
The final Sunday lunchtime jazz event of the winter at Sunbury Cricket Club is on Sunday 9th April, when the Club welcomes Equinox, a quartet led by drummer Stephane Booroff, who enjoys an eclectic musical life working with ‘70s pop band Edison Lighthouse, as well as appearing with jazz groups in various London venues, and is a regular at the Wednesday jazz shows at the Barley Mow, Shepperton.
With Stephane will be Nick Cooper (piano), an Erroll Garner stylist who has played with many well-known names at Ronnie Scott’s, Bull’s Head and all the top London venues, as well as on BBC Radio 2 jazz shows, and Steve Riddle (bass), who has played with the likes of Steve Waterman, Art Themen, Don Weller, Harry Beckett and Bill Le Sage to name a few, and who was in the jazz group which played for six months on the QE2 for its final voyages as well as on Queen Mary 2
The quartet also features special guest Duncan Eagles, a saxophonist who is a rising star of the jazz world and whose albums have received critical acclaim. Duncan leads his own band Partikel and is resident at London’s Hideaway club. A double-page spread was devoted to him and Partikel in the March edition of top UK jazz magazine Jazzwise. This is a great opportunity to see a leading and innovative personality on the contemporary British jazz scene,and there is a lot of interesting information and videos at www.duncaneagles.com.
The bar opens at 12 noon, a lunch menu is available from soon after that, and the music gets under way about 1.15pm. For further information contact Stephane Booroff at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Paul Watts at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Read the 2017 Spring Newsletter Here
Our Spring Newsletter is currently with the printers and will be distributed to households within the Lower Sunbury area during the next couple of weeks.
If you prefer not to wait for your hand-delivered copy you may read it here
Saxophonist Ruth Hammond in Tribute to Stan Getz with Terence Collie Trio at the RAC on 9th April
Ruth has appeared on TV’s ‘Later – with Jools Holland’, played a weeklong residency at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club (London, UK) and was interviewed on Radio 4’s “Woman’s Hour” as a representative of up and coming female musicians.
In this tribute to Stan Getz Ruth will be accompanied by Terence Collie, piano; Richard Sadler, bass; Mitch Perrins, drums.
Venue: The Riverside Arts Centre, 59 Thames Street TW16 5QF. Doors 7.30pm; tickets £12 on the night or £9 in advance through www.moodindigoevents.co.uk
The Shepperton Players Present The Odd Couple (Female Version) at the RAC, 6th - 8th April
“The Odd Couple is a play by Neil Simon. Following its premiere on Broadway in 1965, the characters were revived in a successful 1968 film and 1970s television series, as well as other derivative works and spin-offs. The plot concerns two mismatched roommates: the neat, uptight Felix Ungar and the slovenly, easy going Oscar Madison. Simon adapted the play in 1985 to feature a pair of female roommates (Florence Ungar and Olive Madison) in The Female Odd Couple.” - Wikipedia
There can’t be many people who don’t know of Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple”. it is the quintessential US situational comedy written by one of America’s greatest comedy writers. In adapting the play for female protagonists and updating it to the 1980’s Simon had the opportunity to leave in what he had seen work and rework those bits that in 20yrs of performances he thought could be tightened up. What you are left with is a play that is both fresh and arguably better crafted than the original.
The Odd Couple – Female version will be prove to be an excellent nights’ entertainment for anyone.
Performance dates are: Thursday 6th, Friday 7th and Saturday 8th April. Tickets will be available £12 on the door or £10 in advance through www.sheppertonplayers.org.uk. Performances start at 8pm at the Riverside Arts Centre, 59, Thames Street, TW16 5QF.
Runnymede and Spelthorne Volunteer Awards - 30th May 2017
The following notice has been received from Spelthorne Council with a request for publication:
Runnymede and Spelthorne Volunteer Awards - 30th May 2017
We would like to honour and recognise the wonderful work done by volunteers. On 30th May 2017, from 6 to 8 pm, Voluntary Support North Surrey, Royal Holloway University of London, Runnymede Borough Council and Spelthorne Borough Council will be hosting a joint annual awards ceremony at the Royal Holloway, University of London. We are delighted that CHEP will be sponsoring this event.
Please take the time to nominate one or more of your valued volunteers for these awards. The award categories are:
- CHEP Award for Lifetime Achievement in Volunteering
- Inspirational Volunteer Award
- Individual Volunteer Achievement Award
- Voluntary Contribution to Older People’s Services Award
- Voluntary Contribution to Health Services Award
- Environmental Volunteer Award
- Young Volunteer Award (up to the age of 24)
- Best Volunteer Team Award
- Business Contribution to the Community Award
We have assembled knowledgeable representatives from our locality to form the judging panel. This will include Phil Simcock, Community Action Volunteer Manager at Royal Holloway University of London, Arthur Birkby, Chairman of Voluntary Support North Surrey, and representatives from CHEP and the Borough Councils.
To make your nominations please use our online form. On the form please provide details in 300 words or less about the person or team being nominated outlining the reasons why they have been outstanding as volunteers. The closing date for nominations is Wednesday 19th April 2017.
If you need help in nominating someone or completing the form, please contact the Voluntary Support North Surrey office on 01932 571122. Please feel free to forward this email to anyone in Runnymede and Spelthorne that may be interested in nominating a volunteer. Your support in this matter is very much appreciated.
The Barnes Blues Band Returns to the SCC on Friday 31st March
The next Music Night at Sunbury Cricket Club falls on Friday 31st March when the Club welcomes back the BARNES BLUES BAND who attracted a big audience the first time they played at the Club a while back. They are a band who do selected gigs, as they all have a variety of musical commitments, and we are guaranteed another stunning evening of high class blues and R&B from a group of seasoned professionals who have honed their skills in a variety of big name bands over the years.
The band is led by one of the great blues troubadours of the British club scene Papa George (guitar, vocals), and features Bobby Tench (guitar, vocals) whose illustrious background includes the Jeff Beck Group, Streetwalkers, Humble Pie, Van Morrison, Freddie King and Hummingbird, along with Peter Rees, formerly of Gary Moore’s band, on bass, and drummer Darby Todd, who you have seen at the Club performing with Buddy Whittington and Protect The Beat; and who plays regularly with Alan Price’s band and Hot Leg, the new band led by Justin Hawkins of The Darkness.
You can find out more at www.papageorge.co.uk, www.bobbytench.co.uk & www.darbytodd.com, and there are videos featuring all of them if you search under their individual names at www.youtube.com.
This will undoubtedly be an evening of absolutely first rate blues, and one not to be missed. Please note that the entry price for this event is £10.00 (it was inadvertently announced at £7.50 the first time it appeared on the Forthcoming Events listing). It was £10 the first time they came, and it would cost a good deal more if you went to one of the regular shows at The Bull’s Head, Barnes! Many apologies for any confusion. As usual, there will be food available. We look forward to seeing you there.
More...
Minutes of the Patients' Participation Open Group Meeting of 27th February
If you were unable to attend the PPG Open Meeting at Sunbury Health Centre on 27th February you can keep up-to-date on the most recent developments at the Centre by reading the minutes here
Specsavers Surrey Youth Games: free sports coaching
The following Council press release has been received by LOSRA and is reproduced here:
Team Spelthorne is looking for young people aged 7-16 to participate in the annual Specsavers Surrey Youth Games. The Specsavers Surrey Youth Games is the largest annual youth festival with around 2000 young people experiencing a competitive, countywide sporting event.
Fifteen sports are on offer including hockey, cricket, judo, football, lacrosse, table tennis and boccia. In the lead up to the competition weekend, there are weekly coaching sessions which start in April. Thanks to sponsorship from local organisations, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Everyone Active and Shepperton Studios, Spelthorne Council is offering the coaching sessions free of charge. Participants will then be selected from the coaching sessions to represent Team Spelthorne at the Games on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 June at Surrey Sports Park in Guildford.
Cllr Maureen Attewell, Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing, said: “The Surrey Youth Games offers a fantastic opportunity for young people to experience different sports and make new friends. All the sessions are free, local and aimed at beginners, encouraging young people to give it a go and hopefully be inspired to join local sports clubs as a result.”
To be eligible for Team Spelthorne, you must either live or go to school in Spelthorne and if you already play a sport, you must be below county standard.
Please register online at www.spelthorne.gov.uk/surreyyouthgames to guarantee your place. Each sport has limited spaces and places are given on a first-come first-served basis. Please visit the website for a full list of sports, coaching timetable and eligibility criteria.
For more information contact Spelthorne Leisure Services on 01784 446433 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
New Spelthorne Fire Station – Surrey County Council rules out two full-time crews
The Leader of Spelthorne Council makes the following statement which will doubtless be of interest and great disappointment to all residents within the Borough:
“It is very disappointing to learn today [16th March] that Surrey County Council has decided not to provide two full time crews for the planned new fire station at Ashford. As this will be replacing Staines and Sunbury fire stations – two of the busiest in Surrey - we believe it is essential that Spelthorne has two fire appliances, each crewed full-time, to protect the safety of residents. On behalf of all Spelthorne residents I call upon Surrey County Council to reconsider this decision as a matter of urgency.”
Friends of the Elderly - grants are available to help older people on limited incomes
The following email has been forwarded to LOSRA from Spelthorne Council:
Friends of the Elderly - announced that their grant scheme has plenty of funds available. If you have a service user who needs a one off grant to replace essential items such as basic furniture, flooring, and household appliances or cover the cost of small home repairs, the link below has details of how to apply. They can also help with utility bills, household repairs and adaptations and mobility aids or getting online. Grants of up to £300 can be paid, but they will pay more in exceptional circumstances.
They also offer regular allowances that are paid monthly or twice a year to support older people whose income does not meet their basic cost of living. The Winter Comforts Fund helps towards the cost of keeping warm in the winter.
To qualify, a person must have reached state retirement age and be on a low income, live in England and Wales in private or rented accommodation. Applicants should supply evidence that they are receiving Guaranteed Pension Credit (GPC) or have savings of less than £4000 and are on a low income
All applications must be completed by a third party agency – we cannot accept applications from individuals, their family or friends.
Examples of third party agents include local authorities, social services, housing associations, charities and community groups, health practitioners, Citizens Advice Bureau, or other support agencies.
Special Music Night at Sunbury Cricket Club raises £1,670 for the Mayor’s Charities
As part of the regular programme of Music Nights at Sunbury Cricket Club, there was a special event on Friday 10th March held to raise money for the Mayor of Spelthorne’s Charities. (scroll down to see article of 27th February). This year’s Mayor is Sunbury East councillor Alfred Friday, and he was there with his wife Kaye to enjoy a high-energy show from an agglomeration of a dozen or more rock musicians from the local fraternity, who performed as The Chain Gang, in honour of the Mayor’s chain of office, giving their services free so that all the money raised went to the charities.
Over 130 people were there, and, with the proceeds of the raffle included, the amount raised was £1670, which will go to the Mayor’s three nominated charities for the year - Parkinson’s UK (Spelthorne Branch), One-To-One, which organises social activities for adults with learning disabilities, and Home Start Spelthorne, which supports struggling young families with children.
Music Night organiser Paul Watts said: “It’s great that we’ve got so many top class musicians both in Sunbury and from around the area who are prepared to give their time and energy for a project like this, and it’s equally gratifying that so many people from within the community came to support the event. It was a fun night, as well as being for a good cause.”
A Coffee Concert on Saturday March 25th
The Sunbury and Shepperton Arts Association (SSAA) will present a coffee concert at The Riverside Arts Centre, 59 Thames Street on Saturday, March 25th, at 10.15 for 11am start.
London Irish Mini Festival - Early Warning for 23rd April
This advance warning will be of interest to all residents living in roads close to the London Irish Hazelwood grounds off Green Street.
The 2017 London Irish Mini Festival, one of the biggest in Europe, will fall on St. George’s Day, 23rd April. Despite the best efforts of organisers to prevent inconvenience to local residents, there is little they can do about visiting parents and supporters who choose to disregard the travel and parking arrangements provided by London Irish Amateur RFC. Blocked streets and driveways are a real likelihood.
The busiest time for traffic will be 8am to 10.30am, peaking between 9 - 10am as teams arrive for a 10.am start. The event has a staggered finish from approximately 2pm (age group dependent), with the last games finishing about 4pm.
Sara Dowling Sings Nancy Wilson at the RAC, Sunday 12th March
Sara Dowling – voice
Tony Woods – Sax
Terence Collie – Piano
Dave Jones – Bass
Matt Skeaping – Drums
Starts at 7.30pm. Tickets £9 via website: www.moodindigoevents.co.uk or £12 on the door.
Riverside Arts Centre, 59 Thames Street, TW16 5QF
