Michael Garrick MBE (30 May 1933 – 11 November 2011) was an English jazz pianist and composer; and a pioneer in mixing jazz with poetry recitations and in the use of jazz in large-scale choral works.

The 10th anniversary of his death will be celebrated by the Terry Collie Trio with guest, Nette Robinson at the Riverside Arts Centre, Thames Street at 7.45pm on Sunday 7th November.

For poster and booking details, click here

The following email has been received from Liam Caplis, the Events Manager at London Irish Amateur RFC and will be of interest to pet owners living in the vicinity of the Club:

"We would like to inform you that the London Irish Amateur Club is holding a Fireworks Night at Hazelwood on Saturday 30th of October 2021. The event will run from 17.30pm to 9.00pm with the display planned to take place at TBD and will last for 10 minutes.

"We will make the local council, Police and Fires Services aware of the event and the precautions we have taken.

"The event is being run by volunteer parents from the Mini and Youth section in order to raise much needed funds for our amateur club.  It is aimed at the wider community and the bulk of tickets will be sold to young families from the local area.  Parking at Hazelwood is expected to be adequate for the number of people attending as it is highly likely that the majority are local and will walk. We hope that our event does not cause you inconvenience. If you have any questions then please contact me by email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)."

The Council are seeking the assistance of local communities and others to put forward areas of green space, through a Call for Green Spaces process.

The purpose of this is to identify green spaces that could be considered suitable for designation as Local Green Space (LGS).

LGS is an additional layer of protection for green spaces, included in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), and allows those that meet a set of criteria to be designated. The NPPF (2021) in paras 101-103 sets out the role of LGS:

For further information, please click here

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.

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 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.

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.

To view the notes of the presentation, click here (pdf)

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.

For full details click here

A poppy appeal event will be held at the Admiral Hawke Pub on Saturday, 18th September between 12pm and 5pm.

To see poster, click here

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