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.
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!
More...
Sunbury Health Centre 2023 Patient Survey
Pre the Covid-19 pandemic, the Patient Participation Group (PPG) and Sunbury Health Centre ran an annual Patient Survey with the objective of gathering the views of patients about the Health Centre services and to act on patient feedback.
Now that services have reverted to pre- dominantly face to face appointments for the clinical team (comprising GPs, Paramedics, Advanced Nurse Practitioners and the Practice nursing team) and other services such as minor surgery and ear microsuction have recommenced, the PPG have re-introduced the Patient Survey.
The 2023 survey is available for patient feedback until 6th June. You can complete the survey online by using this link https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/SHCPS2023 or scanning the QR code below or via the Practice website www.sunburyhealthcentre.co.uk. If you prefer, you can complete a paper copy (collect and return to the Practice).
The survey is anonymous and should take no more than 10 minutes to complete.
The responses will be analysed by the PPG and a report submitted to the Practice. The report will be discussed with the Practice Partners, Practice Management Team and the PPG. The survey results and subsequent action plan will be published in the autumn.
Sunbury Health Centre has a positive track record of acting on patient feedback and you are encouraged to take part in the survey.
Roger Beaujolais on Vibraphone Joins Terence Collie Trio on 4th June at the RAC
Over the years Roger has done many gigs supporting well known artists over the years.
Bands/artists that he's supported include Nina Simone, David Sanborn, Manhattan Transfer, Marcus Miller, Clarence Carter, Vital Information, Herbie Hancock Trio, Tribute to Miles Davis (featuring Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Dave Holland, Tony Williams & Wallace Roney), Garbage, Lee Scratch Perry, Roots, Suzanne Vega, Robben Ford, John Scofield with Eddie Harris, Spyrogyra, Robben Ford, Mike Stern & Bob Berg (with Dennis Chambers), Michael Buble, Alex Chilton, Marianne Faithful & Mike Oldfield.
Roger will be appearing with the Terence Collie Trio at the Riverside Arts Centre on Sunday, 4th June.
Terry Pratchett's Maskerade at the RAC 29th June - 1st July
The mystery in the air, murder backstage and music everywhere.Spelthorne Council Election Results
The results for the Lower Sunbury Wards are:Music in the Park, Sunbury Walled Garden, Sunday 7th May
When: 11.30am - 4pm
Details: A Coronation concert in the Sunbury Walled Garden with The Linden Wind Orchestra and The Lammas and Staines Brass Band.
London Irish Amateur International Girls Festival, 30th April
The inaugural London Irish Amateur International Girls Festival will be taking place on 30th April.
Whilst we have not been notified of the precise number or age groups attending, we have been assured that the majority will be attending by coach transport. Nonetheless, it is reasonable to suppose that there will be a preference for street parking for those wishing to travel independently.
Alex Clarke & Alan Barnes with Terence Collie Trio at RAC, 14th May
Alan Barnes is a prolific international performer, composer, arranger, bandleader and touring soloist. He is best known for his work on clarinet, alto and baritone sax where he combines a formidable virtuosity with a musical expression and collaborative spirit that have few peers.
His range and brilliance have made him a first call for studio and live work since his precocious arrival on the scene more than thirty years ago.
His recorded catalogue is immense. He has made over thirty albums as leader and co-leader alone, and the list of his session and side-man work includes Bjork, Bryan Ferry, Michel LeGrande, Clare Teale, Westlife, Jools Holland and Jamie Cullum. He has toured and played residencies with such diverse and demanding figures as Ruby Braff, Freddie Hubbard, Scott Hamilton, Warren Vache, Ken Peplowski, Harry Allen and Conte Candoli.
Alex and Alan will be appearing with the Terence Collie Trio at the Riverside Arts Centre on Sunday 14th May.
SCC Welcomes Great Blues Artist Papa George on 21st April
The next Music Night at Sunbury Cricket Club is on Friday 21st when the Club welcomes the great bluesman PAPA GEORGE, playing at the Club for the first time with his own band.
Singer and guitarist Papa George is one of the great British blues troubadours, who has been a fixture on the club and festival circuit since the 1970s, and is sufficiently renowned to have been inducted into the Blues Hall Of Fame in the USA. He will be appearing with bass player Pete Stroud, well-known at the club from his appearances with Bad Influence, and, extraordinarily, a drummer also called Pete Stroud, formerly with Sassafras, who has played at the Club with Paul Cox, and is also a member of The Foundations.
Muddy Waters’ guitarist Bob Margolin called George “A powerful deep blues player….a spectacular blues artist. He’s got power and nuance as a master entertainer”. Broadcaster Bob Harris says George plays “electric blues at its very best”. There’s more information at www.papageorge.co.uk.
George has appeared at the Club before with The Barnes Blues Band, but it’s a welcome and long overdue debut at the Club for him with his own band, and one not to be missed. This is the last Music Night before we have a break during the summer so we look forward to seeing you to make the most of this one.
Admission is £10.00 on the door, payable by cash or card. Hot food, prepared by the expert chefs from our resident caterers from the community food distribution organisation Surplus To Supper, will be available from 6pm. We look forward to seeing you there.
