Are you interested in drama, lighting, directing, sound, costumes, set design and construction, directing, production, photography or props?

Have you recently moved to the area and want to meet new people?

The Shepperton Players, based at the Riverside Arts Centre, Thames Street, Sunbury, have the most varied programme of any local group including dramas, comedies, farces, musicals, Shakespeare productions and pantomimes. The Players have around 70 members of all ages. Some are primarily interested in performing, but are happy to turn their hand to all manner of backstage, front of house or technical tasks for productions in which they are not cast. Others are experienced, or chiefly interested in these non-performing roles in the theatre.

If you are interested, find out more by contacting the Membership Secretary, Marion Millinger on 01932 851323 or visit www.sheppertonplayers.org.uk

Spelthorne Council hosted the much awaited public meeting last Tuesday (see article of 19th January) to clarify its position with regard to any potential development on Green Belt land at Kempton Park Race Course.

The meeting, held at the Hazelwood Centre in Green Street, and chaired by Spelthorne Chief Executive, Roberto Tambini, was called after residents expressed concern that the Jockey Club might be planning to develop homes on Kempton Park. Around 200 residents attended and many submitted questions in advance of the meeting.

Cllr Robert Watts, Leader at Spelthorne Council, started the meeting with a statement outlining the Council’s strong commitment to protecting the Green Belt. “We can’t stop developers putting planning applications in,” he said.  “But we can be clear about how we will deal with them if they do.” “We have a very clear Green Belt policy and it is backed up by an equally clear government policy.”

The Head of Planning Services, John Brooks, whilst also ruling out the prospect of developing on designated Green Belt, then gave a presentation on the planning context, an overview of what Green Belt means and planning for future needs and associated issues.

Pre-submitted questions about Kempton Park were then addressed and supplementary questions taken. 

The panel included planning staff from Spelthorne Council, local councillors, Chair of the Planning Committee and the Cabinet Member for Planning. MP Kwasi Kwarteng also attended and answered questions relating to Sunbury Health Centre during the latter part of the meeting where broader local issues were discussed.

The Campaign Group, Keep Kempton Green (KKG) has also commented on the meeting and its report may be viewed by clicking here: keepkemptongreen.com/2015/02/04/the-new-friend-of- a-friend/

Spelthorne’s Sunbury Flood Volunteers was founded on Facebook 10/02/2014 in response to last winter's local flooding. As well as running the local flood resource center at St Mary’s Parish Hall, Green Street, they coordinated much groundwork, including sand-bagging removal of household goods to storage etc.

They have helped over 150 residents and over 70 households with cleaning and removal of slurry from their properties, to filling in 'repair and renew' grants, and moving residents back into their homes. The work is still ongoing and they are currently removing debris from our local waterways

The SSFV Unit has been developing for 12 months to provide initial training to individuals in Module 1 Water Awareness safety. In addition, SSFV have successfully completed level 5 water incident management, a 4 day component for team leaders responsible for management and co-ordination; health and safety; and liaison with other team leaders regarding tasking and welfare.

SSFV’s aim is to provide trained Flood Emergency Responders who will be able to react quickly to a flood emergency and provide support within the affected community. In the recent floods a number of residents were left isolated for more than 7 days even though the flood water wasn't very deep. . Unfortunately, the response available was provided by volunteers who were poorly equipped and untrained for the role they were given. Trained Flood Emergency Responders would have been able to visit the local residents simply to reassure them about the situation and to provide logistical support.

Last winter's floods demonstrate the requirement for properly trained Flood Rescue Responders. The need for more people to be trained around the Country is also evidenced within DEFRA documentation including the Flood Rescue Concept of Operations. Furthermore, the Pitt Review clearly demonstrates the need for Flood Rescue Teams and the benefits that these teams can provide. SSFV will supply free training for volunteers and also improve life skills.

If you are interested in joining SSFV or would like more information on either clean-up or rescue volunteers. please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

On Sunday 1st February, a local resident in The Creek, and the owner of two dogs, has reported a completely unprovoked attack by what appears to be a breed similar to, and of the same colouring, as the American bull dog (pictured).

The dog came hurtling out of its house after the door had been left ajar and set upon both the resident's dogs, flattening the smaller of the two, a docile little schnauzer, before sinking its teeth into the schnauzer's back, thigh and stomach. Thankfully the owner came straight out and, with a lot of effort, managed to pull the dog off.

Had it not been for this intervention the local resident is certain the attack would ultimately have resulted in the death of her little dog.

Local enquiries reveal that this snarling muscular dog has been spotted frequently in the past and is known to have roamed freely in peoples back gardens, the Bathing Station field and on Wheatley's Ait.

The attack has been reported to the police (Crime number 45150008889) and is being investigated. This notice is intended to alert local residents whilst awaiting the outcome of police enquiries.

In what has become a regular calendar feature for the Riverside Arts Centre in Thames Street, The Sunbury & Shepperton Arts Association has great pleasure in announcing its Spring Coffee Concerts Programme. To view, click here