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.
The next Music Night at Sunbury Cricket Club falls on Friday 24th November when the Club kicks off the festive season unusually early as they welcome back THE MERSEY LEGENDS. They normally do the Club’s last show before Christmas, but their availability and the Club availability didn't match in December, so they will be coming in November this year. It's Thanksgiving Day in the USA on the previous day, and Black Friday for the retail industry, so we can safely have an early Christmas rave-up.
The Mersey Legends are led by Yanni, born in Liverpool and who played at The Cavern with his band The Seftons in the heyday of the beat boom – the band were top of the bill when the Cavern re-opened in 1967. He has been true to his Liverpool roots ever since, creating a band and a brilliantly honed act specifically designed to celebrate the great sounds of the Mersey Era. As ever, we will be guaranteed a rip-roaring evening of wall-to-wall Mersey Era classics just like we’ve had for the last four years. There’s more info at www.themerseylegends.co.uk.
8.30pm, £7.50 at the door. Food will be available as usual, so we look forward to seeing you.
Due to the imminent departure of its current incumbent, the RAC is looking for a volunteer replacement treasurer.
If you think you can help please get in touch with Peter Norgate at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by telephone on 01932 782788.
This Association has received a number of emails from residents concerned with the recent upsurge in disorderly behaviour and criminal damage by youths on scooters and mopeds congregating in car parks and other public spaces within Lower Sunbury. Indeed, this phenomenon has also been reported in the most recent issue of Sunbury Matters: click to see.
Our local police who have been made aware of this problem and also the spike in residential burglaries are doing their best within their very limited resources. Indeed, The Police and Crime Commissioner, David Munro, has written to all MPs and Council Leaders in Surrey to seek their support in abolishing the current cap on the policing element of the council tax. In his letter, Mr Munro says “Like many forces up and down the country, Surrey Police are currently running at the limit of their capabilities at a time when demand on the service continues to grow.”
If you have concerns about your neighbourhood and would like to have your say, why not come to the Spelthorne Police and Partnership Meeting on 29th November at the Staines Community Centre.
Sunbury Cricket Club has established itself as being at the heart of the community and, as a Community Amateur Sports Club (CASP), ploughs all profits back into the Club. What better way to support the Club than by booking a table at their Christmas Dinner Disco on Saturday 2nd December:
CHRISTMAS DINNER DISCO
Saturday 2nd December
7:00pm til Midnight
Three Course Dinner & Disco
£20 per head
Choice of Starter
RoastedRed Pepper & Butternut Squash Soup with roll and butter
Atlantic Prawn & Scottish Salmon with capers, lemon dressing and brown bread
Homemade Leak & Stilton Tart with spicy red onion marmalade
Choice of Main
Roasted Turkey Crown with all the trimmings with rich red wine gravy
Grilled Salmon Fillet on a bed of chive mash topped with a dill cream sauce
Thai Green Curry with steamed rice
Goat Cheese & Spinach Lasagna with sautéed garlic potato
(all mains served with platters of vegetables on the table)
Choice of Dessert
Christmas Pudding homemade Brandy Sauce
Toffee Apple Crumble with custard
Tickets
The Club Bar
Dave Smith (07590 209763)
Karl Burgess (07557 024503)
The Club welcomes a return visit for ‘A’ Train who feature the fine vocalist Debbie Bracknell who works in the current incarnation of the British hit-making jazz funk band Shakatak.
Also in the band is well-known local bass player Roger Harding, along with pianist Andy Walls and Drummer Alan Cottrell. There is full information about the band at www.atrainband.co.uk.
A lunch menu is available from around 12.30pm. with the bar opening at noon, and the music gets under way about 1pm. For more info e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Manor Players are staging this hilarious comedy by Graham Linehan, based on the 1955 film of the same name. The play enjoyed a successful run in London some years ago and it is now on its way to brighten up those dark, grey November nights in Sunbury-on-Thames. If you like the sound of the synopsis below, why not join us for a read-through on Thursday 24th August?
‘The Ladykillers’ tells the story of the sweet, innocent Mrs Wilberforce, who lives alone with her parrot in a strange, lopsided house in London.
Her daily routine is shaken by the arrival of Professor Marcus and his four friends, who make up the most unlikely group of criminals.The gang disguise themselves as a string quartet rehearsing in Mrs Wilberforce’s spare room, while they plan the theft of a security van at Kings Cross Station.
Mrs Wilberforce suddenly finds herself pitted against a gang of criminal misfits, who decide to involve her in the plot. Surely a little old lady has nothing against five cunning men…
Venue: The Riverside Arts Centre, Thames Street, Sunbury. For further details and bookings go to manorplayers.org
Christopher Gurdev is a dementia friends champion for the area. His role involves meeting various people in the area and trying to encourage people to support those living with dementia.
It is possible to live well with dementia and his role is to give tips and tools on how to provide that support.
He will be holding two information sessions in Sunbury to which all are welcome.
Both sessions will be held at St. Saviours Church on Vicarage Road on the following dates:
Gilad Atzmon is a British Jazz artist and, as a multi-instrumentalist, he plays saxophones, clarinet and ethnic woodwind instruments . His album Exile was the BBC jazz album of the year in 2003. He was described by John Lewis at the Guardian as the “hardest-gigging man in British jazz.” Atzmon tours extensively around the world. His albums, of which he has recorded fifteen to date, often explore political themes and the music of the Middle East.
As a member of the Blockheads, Gilad has also recorded and performed with Ian Dury, Robbie Williams, Sinead O'Connor and Paul McCartney. Gilad has also recorded with Robert Wyatt, the Water Boys. In 2014 he recorded with Pink Floyd and is featured on their last album The Endless River (Anisina).
On Sunday, 19th November he will be appearing at the Riverside Arts Centre, Thames Street in a tribute to Charlie “Bird” Parker and will be supported by Terence Collie – piano; Paul Michael – bass; Ted Carasco - drums
Time: 7.30pm, entrance £12 or £9 via website: www.moodindigoevents.co.uk
Hawkedale Primary School is a mainstream, state-funded junior school for boys and girls in Stratton Road, Sunbury
The governing body has general responsibility for the conduct of the school with a view to promoting high standards of educational achievement. It is a rewarding role and no previous experience is necessary. However, in order to be an effective governor there is a requirement to attend training sessions in order to learn about current educational developments and practices.
The role of the governing board is a strategic one and governors meet three times a term to discuss a number of topics, all that fit within the three core functions of a governing body:
If you are interested in supporting our school by making one of the most valuable and worthwhile contributions to the education of young people , or would like to know more, please contact Mrs Katie Butler, Chair of Governors, on tel: 01932 789412 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Gaming machines including those in betting shops and licensed premises are regulated by the Gambling Act 2005.
On 31 October, the Government published a consultation about:
To view consultation, click here
The consultation will close on 23 January 2018, following which the Government will consider its final proposals.
A standard is, by definition, something set up and established by authority as a rule; and is therefore immutable. Nevertheless, and on the heels of another misconceived application at 126 Green Street (scroll down to article of 16th October) we find that another developer is choosing to ignore the parking standards defined in local planning law – this time at Inglewood Hall. (Planning Application 17/01400/FUL).
The existing property lies just north of the junction with Nursery Road and opposite St. Ignatius School. For full details of the application, click here.
It will be seen that the developer proposes a mere four parking spaces which is woefully short of the eleven which would be required under existing planning law. He also ignores policy which requires the impact on highway safety from potential on-street parking to be considered; and the need to make adequate and convenient provision for disabled parking.
Representations may be made online using the link above and should be submitted by 6th November. To see objection by this Association, click here.
Now that the cricket season is over, regular Sunday lunchtime jazz presentations are beginning again at Sunbury Cricket Club in Lower Hampton Road. At all of these, a lunch menu is available from around 12.30pm. with the bar opening at noon, and the music gets under way about 1pm. For more info e-mail pThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Sun. 5th Nov. 1pm £7.50
To kick off the new season of events we welcome back one of the UK’s top tenor saxophonists, Simon Spillett, a leading exponent of the music of Tubby Hayes, and his shows are always exciting and entertaining. Simon is a multi-award winning English jazz tenor saxophonist.
He has won the BBC Jazz Awards Rising Star (2007), Jazz Journal's Critics' Choice album of the Year (2009), the British Jazz Awards Top Tenor Saxophonist (2011), the Services to British Jazz award (2016).
In 2017, he has been leading his own quartet featuring pianist John Critchinson, bassist Alec Dankworth and drummer Clark Tracey, as well as appearing with bands led by other leaders including the Ronnie Scott's Jazz Orchestra. He also works as a guest soloist at jazz venues across the UK. His many club and festival appearances include sold-out gigs at Ronnie Scott's and The Brecon Jazz Festival, and he has made several appearances leading his own group on BBC Radio Three. In October 2016, Spillett was appointed as a Patron of the Jazz Centre UK, joining fellow patrons Sir Michael Parkinson, Dame Cleo Laine, Van Morrison, Paul Jones (of Manfred Mann) and Jools Holland.
There’s more info at www.simonspillett.com and lots of video if you search Simon Spillett at www.youtube.com
For this event, his quartet features:
Ted Beament (piano): Best known from his lengthy tenure Humphrey Lyttelton’s band, Ted is also a bandleader and composer in his own right. He has worked with leading US jazz stars such as Sonny Stitt, Joe Newman and Scott Hamilton.
Chris Dodd (bass): Former member of the bands of trumpeter Dick Pearce and tenorist Don Weller, Chris’ hard swinging, inventive playing is regularly heard in a variety of line ups at Ronnie Scott's.
Buster Birch (drums): One of the most versatile drummers on the UK jazz scene, his music cover everything from fusion to free improvisation. As well as being a respected instrumentalist, Buster is a well-known jazz educator, and has recently assembled the show 'Buster plays Buster' with his quartet providing a live jazz soundtrack Buster Keaton silent movies. A truly unclassifiable talent!
The police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey, David Munro, has stressed the importance of understanding reasons behind a recent rise in recorded crime in the county following the release of the latest crime statistics. To see his report, click here.
Mr Munro’s report relates to the whole of Surrey County. However, with regard to this borough in particular, Spelthorne Beat (Surrey Police) say: “I know it seems like there has been a rise, but there hasn't in Spelthorne. With the public talking about their own experiences on social media and us releasing the local information on the Spelthorne Beat page, you just happen to be hearing about it more so it seems like these incidences are on the rise. Surrey Police are investigating these incidences and where there are opportunities for a positive outcome we will always work to ensure the offenders are dealt with accordingly”.
Readers will recall the application to demolish the bungalow at 126 Manor Lane at the junction with Green Street and the absurdly ambitious application to develop 9 flats on the same site. Very sensibly, and under the weight of local opposition, the application was withdrawn by the developer before it could be determined by the Local Planning Authority (see article of 15th May 2017).
It’s typical that when a plan, for whatever reason, fails to go ahead, the developer will come up with a more modest proposal in the hope that local residents will feel grateful for any concessions made. It is also well known that developers rely on ‘campaign fatigue’ as fewer people will take the trouble to make representations on second or subsequent applications.
This Association is not a reflexive naysayer, recognising, as we do, that the vast majority of single dwelling development applications imply improvements not only for their owners but in the local housing stock generally. However, we will not hesitate to oppose inappropriate schemes; and the application to replace the bungalow with 7 x 2 bedroom flats together with a mere 7 parking spaces is a conspicuous example of over-development.
The closing date for making representations is shown as 18th October but late submissions will be accepted for a week or two beyond that date as the developer failed to submit an important document at the time of making the application. Giving your views online could not be easier and we urge you to do so by visiting: my.spelthorne.gov.uk/planningpublisher.aspx?requesttype=parsetemplate& template=DCSearch.tmplt and quote planning reference: 17/01483/FUL.
The submission by this Association may be viewed by clicking here