All are welcome to free afternoons of music in the beautiful surroundings of the Walled Garden, Thames Street, Sunbury-on-Thames, TW16 6AB.

All performances start at 2pm and finish at 4pm. A limited number of chairs are available at the Walled Garden or you are welcome to bring your own.

Sunday 11 June - Jake Fryer and All That Jazz
Sunday 18 June - Saxophany
Sunday 25 June - Sing Spelthorne

The following press statement has been released by Spelthorne Council:

Cllr Vivienne Leighton was elected as the new Mayor for Spelthorne at the Annual Council Meeting held on Thursday 18 May. Cllr Jean Pinkerton OBE was elected as Deputy Mayor.

Since being first elected to the Council in May 2003, representing Shepperton Town, Cllr Leighton has held a number of Cabinet positions over nine years as well as serving on several internal committees including the Planning and Licensing Committees. She has represented the Council on outside bodies including Surrey Supporting People Commissioning Body, and chaired Spelthorne Neighbourhood Watch.

Cllr Leighton is a retired bank officer and has lived in Spelthorne for 31 years. Living alongside the Thames, the new Mayor has a keen interest in all aspects of river life having also represented Spelthorne on the flooding inquiry in 2003 and the Management Committee of River Thames Alliance since 2006. She was also a school Governor for twelve years.

During her term as Mayor, Cllr Leighton will be supporting the following charities:

Spelthorne Dementia Support (Purple Angels) : helping to raise awareness of dementia-related illnesses and giving assistance to Alzheimer’s sufferers and their carers

Impossible Dream: providing river trips for wheelchair users

Swan Sanctuary: a rescue centre and registered veterinary practice specialising in waterfowl

Speaking during the meeting, Cllr Leighton said: I hope to appeal to different interests and different parts of the community. I want to celebrate the river and its environment, support the frail and older, involve young people and celebrate their talents … and have some fun on the way.

“I look forward to supporting local events and meeting as many people as I can over the next 12 months.”

Since the inception of the annual TW12 Jazz Festival five years ago it will be the first time that part of it is destined to take place at the Riverside Arts Centre in Thames Street, Sunbury. The RAC has now become an established venue for the monthly jazz gigs organised by mood indigo events and which have proved to be very successful.

To see the poster for the Saturday line-up click here

The complete 3 day programme with booking instructions may be viewed by clicking here

The vast majority of single dwelling development applications imply improvements not only for their owners but in the local housing stock generally. Occasionally however, this Association feels bound to object when an application is likely to impact adversely on the wider community; and the proposed development of a site currently occupied by a single bungalow (Manor Farm Cottage) into a block of nine (1 x 1 bed and 8 x 2 bed) flats at the busy road junction of Green Street and Manor Lane falls squarely into that category.

Residents who wish to make representations have until 24th May to do so. Submissions may be made via the planning portal at the Spelthorne Council Website quoting reference number: 17/00649/FUL.

Our Chairman has written on behalf of the Association and his submission may be viewed by clicking here

The reinstatement of street lighting in Spelthorne has been of major concern to local residents in Lower Sunbury. The following announcement from Spelthorne Borough Council explains the position as it currently stands:

“Street lighting is the responsibility of the County Council. In October 2016 the County Council's Cabinet approved a decision to implement part-night lighting across Surrey. This was rolled out in Spelthorne in March 2017.

“Due to concerns raised by residents, a high proportion of whom are shift workers, an agreement was made in principle between the Leaders of Spelthorne Borough Council and Surrey County Council to reinstate the lights in Spelthorne for an initial period of five years, on the understanding that the Borough Council would find the necessary funding.

“Spelthorne Council was hopeful that this could be implemented quickly. However the decision was made by the County Council's Cabinet and any amendment must be referred back to that decision-making body. We have been assured that this will be on the agenda for 30 May 2017. If approved a date for the lights to be switched back on will be available after this meeting.”

Further information on the consultation and decision is here

The County Council Election results may be viewed by clicking here

Hawkedale Infant School, in Stratton Road, warmly invites you to come and join in the fun and support your local school.

We have a fantastic programme for the whole family; The Lagan will entertain us with live Irish music, Earthsong will offer a drumming workshop and you can get up close and personal in the animal petting zoo. There will be crafts, tea, coffee & cakes, raffle, local traders, tombola's along with fantastic food from the BBQ and a licensed bar; for the whole family to enjoy

Admission £1 for adults & 50p for over 3's. Please note it is cash only.

The Friends of Sunbury Embroidery are holding their next Gallery Gathering on Friday 5th May with a Springtime Social, with sophisticated gentle ‘live’ jazz courtesy of Café Society, a trio featuring Jonathan Whines (saxes and flute), Gerry Cook (guitar) and Roger Harding (bass).

Tickets are £5.00, including a glass of wine and are available from the Embroidery Gallery, in the Walled Garden, behind the Magpie Car Park in Thames Street, or just come along and pay on the night.

It’s a chance to enjoy some excellent music in the delightful informal surroundings of the Gallery and café, and have a stroll round the award-winning Walled Garden.

The event starts at 7.30pm and the music gets under way around 8pm.

John Etheridge's reputation in the jazz world cannot be overstated. A genuinely virtuosic fusion guitarist, Etheridge is one of a handful of players who can claim to have helped shape the character of modern jazz guitar.

He has been described by fellow fretsman Pat Metheny as 'one of the best guitarists in the world', a distinction that is due in no small part to his tireless exploration of the possibilities of his instrument.

A hugely respected artist in his own right, Etheridge also claims an impressive collaborative history, from his seminal work with groundbreaking fusion group Soft Machine to his longstanding status as the guitarist of choice for jazz icon Ste'phane Grappelli.

For more information on John, visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ John_Etheridge

Also appearing with John on the night:

• Piano – Terence Collie
• Bass – Dave Jones
• Drums – Rha Stranges

Starts 7.30pm. Tickets £9 via website: www.moodindigoevents.co.uk or £12 on the door

The next Music Night at Sunbury Cricket Club is on Friday 5th May when the Club welcomes back one of their most popular bands “THE 60S ALL STARS” for what has now become something a traditional occasion with a bit of a party night to kick off the League cricket season.

The 60s All Stars always give us a rip-roaring night - comprising Mick Avory, the original and long-time drummer with the Kinks, Alan Lovell from the Swinging Blue Jeans, John Dee of The Foundations and Del Mandel, formerly with The George Harrison Band and Crispian St. Peters, they are one of the best revival bands around. We know that a hugely entertaining evening of wall-to-wall Sixties and rock ‘n’ roll classics is absolutely guaranteed, and we can look forward to a real fun evening. Pass the word around and bring your friends - this is one not to be missed.

There’s full info at www.the60sallstars.co.uk. There will be food available as usual from around 7p.m.  £7.50 at the door. To see flier, click here.