The developers, Willmott Dixon, will be holding a public exhibition at the Elmbridge Xcel Leisure Complex, Waterside Drive, Walton on Thursday 21st July between 4pm and 8pm.

In hand-delivered fliers sent to a number of households the developers state their intention to make some changes to improve their original development proposals for the Complex. The principal change is the removal of the northern spectator stand and storage, along with minor changes to the landscaping and car park. Members of the project team will be available at the Xcel centre to explain the changes and answer questions. For those unable to attend, the exhibition material will be on display at Elmbridge Civic Centre and Walton Library between 21st July and 4th August.

The exhibition will be of particular interest to Sunbury residents living on or near the Thames opposite the Complex, and who stand to most affected by noise and light pollution.

The 139th year of the Sunbury Amateur Regatta will take place on 13th August 2016, with the Junior Regatta the following day on Sunday 14th August 2016.

The main event is the racing which will be in progress throughout the day, followed by the prize giving for the winners, presented by the Mayor of Spelthorne, at around 5:30 pm.

There will be plenty to entertain the whole family throughout the day with Punch & Judy and many other kids activities, including a fancy dress competition organised via the local schools.

Stalls supporting good causes and local/national charities will form the centrepiece, as well as those presenting items of local interest, plus one exhibiting some historic memorabilia from the First World War.

The day will also feature the final of the “Sunburys' got Talent” competition (If you have not already entered and wish to do so, then details of registration and the heats can be found on the Regatta website: http://www.sunburyregatta.com), music from local bands and then in the evening there will be an illuminated sail-past by the Middle Thames Yacht Club at approx. 9:00 pm, followed at approx. 9:30 pm by the renowned Sunbury Regatta fireworks display!

Admission prices payable on the day can be found on the Regatta website, but why not become a member, if you are not already?

Membership remains at just £9.00 per single or £17.00 per pair and provides admission to the Island as well as admission into the Members area, which has a reduced cost private bar (approx £1.00 per pint lower than the public bar!). The membership application form can be printed from the Regatta website and posted together with a cheque for payment to our PO Box address (sorry but they can’t yet take this online).

Full details of the event can be found on their website www.sunburyregatta.com

The President, Chairman and Regatta Committee, look forward to seeing you and thank you for your continued support in this historic local charitable event. The Annual Regatta Church Service will be held on the preceding Sunday as usual (Sunday 7th August 2016, from 10:00 am - Service starts at 10:30 am) at St. Mary’s Church, Lower Sunbury.

With summer holidays fast approaching, individuals are often more exposed to travel booking frauds when looking for last minute package deals / cheap flights. Whether paying upfront for a family holiday or simply booking a flight, payments are transferred only to discover that the holiday / airline ticket does not exist and was sold to you by a bogus travel company. Fraudsters will often lure in potential customers with low prices and ‘one time only’ offers that are simply too good to pass up, requesting payment by the preferred method of direct bank transfer.
 
Avoid
Paying for a holiday / airline tickets / accommodation via direct bank transfer. No reputable company will ever request payment via this method.
Responding to unsolicited calls, texts or emails offering holidays at incredibly low prices.
 
Protect Yourself

• Whenever possible, pay for your holiday by credit card as it offers increased protection.
• Always remember to look for the ‘https’ and locked padlock icon in the address bar before entering your payment details.
• Never feel pressured to make a booking for fear that you will miss out on this ‘low price’ opportunity. If you have never used the company before, take your time to do some online research to ensure they are reputable.
• Should you make a flight or hotel booking through a travel company, feel free to separately check with the hotel / particular airline that your booking does indeed exist.

Many congratulations are due to Toby Roland-Jones who has been called up to the England squad and makes his debut for the Test match against Pakistan at Lords on Thursday.

Toby is a fomer Sunbury Colt and played through all the age groups; and was a 1st XI player until he joined Middlesex. He is a true product of Sunbury CC and we are all very proud of him and of those who contributed to his development.

Toby has been in superb form this summer and showed what he is capable of just last week, taking 3-34 as Middlesex skittled county champions Yorkshire for 167 to record an unlikely win. That came after he had picked up another three wickets in the first innings and smashed 79 not out to help set up the victory. In total, he has taken 30 first class wickets, at 29.03, this season and averages 53.33 with the bat - albeit that figure is boosted by three not out scores in his six innings.

Our uncapped paceman is one of five seam options in the 12-man squad, joining Stuart Broad, Steven Finn, Chris Woakes and Jake Ball. We wish Toby every success and very much hope he is in the XI on Thursday.

What is the Local Committee?

Your Local Committee makes important decisions about the area in which we live. It is where our local councillors meet to discuss and decide on many of the issues that matter to us, as residents, or those who work or study in our area. See: http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/get-involved/your-local-area/spelthorne-local-area/your-local-committee-for-spelthorne

What does the Local Committee do?

The Local Committee can make decisions about:

• activities for young people;
• funding for community groups and activities;
• roads and road maintenance;
• making a request for highways improvements;
• road safety;
• driving speed limits;
• parking restrictions;
• library opening hours;
• public rights of way - byways and footpaths

It also monitors how well public services like libraries and social care are benefiting local people. The Committee has a special role in making sure that local schools are performing well or taking the necessary steps to improve.

Local councillors put the community's interests at the heart of every decision they make and they value the opinions of local people. The more councillors listen to residents, the more confident we can be that issues have been considered from various angles and that the wider community is likely to benefit as a result. That is why we actively encourage local residents to interact with councillors and their local committee to make sure that their voices and opinions are heard.

How can you take part?

At the Committee's meetings you can raise issues, ask questions or petition your councillors about changes you would like them to make in our neighbourhood. You can read how to do this in the Rules of the Local Committee section below.

When does the Committee meet?

The Local Committee generally meets once every three months. This can vary but is usually around June, September, December and March. (having said that the next meeting is scheduled for 18th July!)

View details of the date, time, venue and the topics under discussion at your Local Committee meeting.

Alternatively, please contact the Community Partnerships Team for more information.

There will be no trains running between Teddington and Strawberry Hill and Shepperton, in either direction, from 16th to 30th July.

Replacement buses will run throughout this time. Trains from London Waterloo will terminate at Teddington and Strawberry Hill. Teddington Station will be busier than usual as it will be a rail replacement bus and train interchange during this time.

Buses to Teddington will leave from the bus stop in Green Street close to the junction with Sunbury Cross; and to Shepperton, from the bus stop in Green Street opposite St. Ignatius Church.

For full details, click here

The next Music Night at Sunbury Cricket Club falls on Friday 8th July when the Club welcomes back The Jackie Lynton Band for a long overdue return visit. It’s a couple of years since he played here and the Club has acquired a lot of new regular visitors since then who may not have seen his highly individual show.

Jackie, a native of Shepperton, is one of the legendary characters of the British rock landscape. He has been around since his residency at Soho’s 2is coffee bar in the late 50s, recording and performing with a host of top names over the years. He toured the USA with the Savoy Brown Blues Band, and since then has established a reputation not only as a great rock performer but also a highly skilled entertainer, who has written TV comedy scripts for major stars as well as hits like “Again And Again” for Status Quo, with whom he often guests on stage.

His band includes another ex-Sunbury resident, Colin Pattenden, former bass player with Manfred’s Mann’s Earth Band, and Nashville Teens drummer Adrian “Spud” Metcalfe, with Chris Bryant and Mike Windus on guitars. Another hugely entertaining evening of finely-honed rock ‘n’ roll and hilarious near-the-knuckle banter is guaranteed. Jackie has a bottomless fount of anecdotes and risqué stories.

You can find out more information and read his extraordinary biog and life story at www.jackielynton.com. We look forward to seeing you there.

Friends of St Mary's invite you to a fun evening with the very talented Riverside Youth Theatre presenting 'Riverside Live' - a Revue, on Saturday 2nd July, 7.30pm in the Church.

£9 members & pre-booked, £10 on the door.

Box Office :01932 785035 & 78580.

At the AGM on 22nd June a question was put to the Chairman regarding LOSRA's position on the inclusion of Spelthorne within the fare Zone 6 and with it, the facility for commuters to use the Oyster card at rail stations within the Borough.

We have not taken a proactive position on this issue as the 'Zone 6 campaign' group already exists. (scroll down to see article of 14th June). If you wish to attend the meeting on 7th July please be sure to register your interest by clicking on the link provided.

For those who were unable to attend the AGM you may read the Chairman's report by clicking here.