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.
Another Geoff Buckingham Comedy Comes to the RAC on 23rd September
Extraordinary Council Meeting, Thursday, 14th September - Plea for Your Support
The Extraordinary Council Meeting on 6th June saw the Council resolve "to formally request the Planning Inspector to pause the Examination Hearings into the Local Plan for a period of three (3) months to allow time for the new council to understand and review the policies and implications of the Local Plan and, after the three month pause, the Council will decide what actions may be necessary before the Local Plan examination may proceed.”
It seemed obvious at the time and, subsequently with the discovery of irrefutable evidence, that the ultimate intention by a cohort of disaffected councillors is to scrap the Local Plan altogether; and that the resolution to 'pause' the Examination Hearings was no more than a device to add a veneer of respectability to achieving their ultimate goal.
It should be remembered that, before the local elections in May, the progress of the LP through to the public Examination Hearings had been approved by Council. Should these dissident councillors get their way it would put the Council back by years and, in the absence of an LP, leave the Borough open to predatory developers who have in the past successfully appealed development approvals where existing plans are deemed to be out of date (as is the case in this Borough). Though by no means perfect (subject as the plan is to government fiat), the eventual adoption of the LP is the only protection we have against the prospect of a developer free-for-all.
A highly vocal minority, principally from Staines, intend to pack the public gallery in support of the motion by an ersatz partisan grouping to ditch the plan completely. Your presence is needed to lend support to those councillors who justifiably wish to put an end to this nonsense.
Please attend by 6.45 pm. The relevant agenda item may be viewed by clicking here
Early Booking for the 39 Steps Recommended!
The Mustangs to Return to SCC on 22nd September
It’s been a long summer without Music Nights at Sunbury Cricket Club and lots of people have been asking when the Club will be starting up again. The cricket season is over now, and we are delighted to announce that our first Music Night of the new series is on Friday 22nd September when we are equally delighted to welcome back THE MUSTANGS.
The Mustangs are one of the UK’s longest-established and most critically-acclaimed blues-rock bands, with a reputation for blistering live shows and ground-breaking original albums, and they have been a favourite at Sunbury Music Nights for over ten years. They last played here at the 2019 at the Club's Gin and Music Festival, almost exactly four years ago, having headlined at the very first Beer Festival a couple of years before that, so are long overdue a return.
Now working as a power trio following the retirement of harmonica veteran Derek Kingaby, they feature the stunning voice and slashing guitar of livewire frontman Adam Norsworthy, plus the razor-sharp rhythm section of Jon Bartley (drums) and Ben McKeown (bass). Formed in 2001 they combine the power and punch of traditional R’n’B with great original songs, and are regulars at festivals like the Swanage Blues Festival, and in 2017 played at the Glastonbury Festival. Some of our patrons will have seen Adam doing a fine rocking show at one of Music Nights last year with his other band The Milkmen.
Rock ‘n’ Reel magazine called them “Truly storming, ferocious….the very definition of blues rock.” They now have around ten albums under their belt and of their most recent one, “Watertown” Metal Eyes magazine wrote “A wholly original album, a rock masterpiece. ‘Watertown’ flies to peaks unreachable to most of us”.
There’s more information at www.themustangsband.co.uk. They always do a great show for the Club and it’s an ideal way to get the new season of Music Nights under way, so we look forward to seeing you there. Tickets are £10 on the door, and hot food will be available as usual.
Zoe Gilby and Brecon Jazz at the RAC on 20th August
Winner of the Parliamentary Jazz Awards Jazz Vocalist of the Year 2019, Zoe Gilby is a vocalist and songwriter who is starting to make a serious impression on the UK music scene. Her impressive repertoire spans a range of influences from contemporary popular artists such as Kate Bush to the seminal jazz composers of the 20th century.
Zoe joins the Terence Collie Trio in a tribute to the legendary composer and pianist Thelonious Monk at the Riverside Arts Centre on Sunday 20th August at 8.30pm.
Enjoy a Night of Latin Jazz at the RAC on 3rd September
French guitarist Clement Regert joins the Terence Collie Trio at the Riverside Arts Centre on 3rd September for a night of Latin jazz.
Clement says: " I am a guitarist from Paris, I moved to London UK in 2005. I have been a session guitarist/MD since I left music college in Paris in 2004. My outfit WILD CARD has been playing in the UK and Europe since July 2011. We have recorded 4 albums. I have been lucky enough to play and collaborate with the likes of Marcus Strickland (US), Maurice Brown (US), Charlie Porter (US), Denys Baptiste (UK), Binher Golding (UK),Paul Booth (UK) or Dennis Rollins), Imaani (UK)."
More...
Saxophonist, Renato D'Aiello Joins the Terence Collie Trio at the RAC on 6 August
Renato D'Aiello, Tenor saxophonist, Composer, Producer, Educator born In Naples and resident in London since 1999.Renato D’Aiello has become known as one of the strongest and most beautiful saxophone sounds around. His treatments of jazz standards, and originals, both live and on cd, have won great admiration from audiences and the press.
Renato studied with masters such as Sal Nistico, Tony Scott and Steve Grossman. He has played with great jazzmen including Art Farmer,Sal Nistico, Steve Grossman, Eddie Duran, Kirk Lightsey, Keith Copeland, Duffy Jackson, Tony Scott, Jim Mullen, Bruce Forman, Gene Calderazzo, Phil Lee, G.Husband., Alain jean Marie.
He has played in most of the major venues and festivals in the UK, and since May 2002 has played several times in Paris, receiving warm acclaim from Jazz Hot magazine and TSF radio. Renato also played in Japan, Berlin, Sweden, Spain, Portugal, Norway, Italy, Finland.
Since July 2010 Renato has been running a very successful Monday night upstairs at Ronnie Scott in London and a few other resident gigs like ”Primo bar” at The Plaza Hotel in Westminster,London, Toulouse Lautrec, Spice Of Life. He also performs regularly at Pizza Express Dean Street in London and many other of the best clubs in UK.
As a teacher Renato has been teaching in most of the best Jazz schools in Italy, then Goldsmiths College in London, Sherborne College and done many master classes in Japan ( Nagoya ) UK, Italy and Switzerland.
For booking and venue details, click here
Appeal for Volunteers to Assist with Remembrance Day Parade
The following appeal has been issued by Sunbury Poppy Appeal:
"Would anyone be willing to help with this year's remembrance parade? The team has lost a lot of volunteers.
"It won't be a huge commitment. The team is meeting next Tuesday 25th July 6pm - Admiral Hawk in Sunbury."
Sunbury Regatta to Go Ahead on 12-13 August But Not As We Know it
Sadly, for the reasons mentioned in the notice below, the annual Sunbury Regatta, long a feature of our summer calendar, will not include many of the attractions to which we have become accustomed.
If you are interested in becoming part of the organising volunteers for 2024, then please email your contact details to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Nexus of Independent Councillors Aiming to Thwart Local Plan
Planning Application for Benwell House Phase 2
A planning application submitted by the Council to extend a housing development in Sunbury is now open for comments.
The proposal is to extend an existing development at Benwell House on Green Street in Sunbury-on-Thames by adding 11 one-bedroom 24 two-bedroom privately rented apartments with thirty five additional parking spaces.
2023 AGM - Chairman's Address and Minutes
We were delighted to host a full auditorium including our six councillors from Sunbury East and Halliford & Sunbury West at the Riverside Arts Centre for our AGM on 21st June.
The presentation by Rebecca Kendrick on the Thames Landscape Strategy, was the highlight of the evening and was received with much applause.
A comprehensive summary of the the last year's activities and achievements were covered in the Chairman's address which can be viewed here
The minutes of the AGM may be viewed here
Guitarist, Tim Rose to Perform with Graeme Flowers and the Terence Collie Trio at the RAC on 9th July
Guitarist and composer Tim Rose began working professionally in 1995 whilst still at college.
Since this time he has played with many artists including Toyah Willcox, Gerry Marsden, Dave Dee, Mike d’Abo, Mike Pender, Roger Whittaker, Matt Monro Junior, Shaun Williamson, Ron Moody, Brian Conley, Bradley Walsh, The Nolans, Robin Cousins, Al Martino, PJ Proby, Gerard Kenny, David Essex, Carol Decker, Cheryl Baker, Jimmy Osmond, Paul Potts, Beverley Knight and Randy Brecker. In 2013 and 2014 Tim toured with Strictly Come Dancing star Brendan Cole. Tim has also performed with the Philharmonia Orchestra a number of times. TV appearances include the ‘Bond 50th Anniversary Concert’ with The Philharmonia and ‘David Walliams celebrates Dame Shirley Bassey’ on BBC One.
Tim works extensively in London’s West End having played on some 15 shows including Footloose, Saturday Night Fever, Evita, Jersey Boys, Betty Blue Eyes, Priscilla, Shrek, Thriller Live, Beautiful, Kinky Boots, The Bodyguard, Memphis, Wicked, Book of Mormon and Grease on which he held the guitar chair for three and a half years.
In November 2016 Tim released his first solo album, ‘Outlook’ on Pathway Records. All Compositions are written by Tim and feature Paul Booth, Graeme Flowers, Dave Whitford, Chris Wong, John Humphrey and Ryan Farmery. Other projects Tim has been involved with include a guitar duo with Andy Phillip playing instrumental interpretations of songs by the singer songwriters of the 1970s and jazz fusion quartet Ragin' Hormones (featuring Steve Richardson, Richard Beesley and Seb Guard). This ensemble produced an album in 2005 called 'How it Starts'.
Tim will be performing with Graeme Flowers on trumpet and the Terence Collie Trio at the Riverside Arts Centre on Sunday 9th July.
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.
