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.
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 Very sensibly, and under the weight of local opposition, the application was withdrawn by the developer before it could be determined by the Local Planning Authority (see article of 15th May 2017).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
Described as “a small jewel of bewilderment and regret” by the London Sunday Times, the play, Getting On, is set in the 1970s and focuses on George and Polly Oliver. He is a British Labour MP who feels tethered in a time of change. He casts a world-weary eye over his marriage (his second) to Polly, social position (unsatisfactory) and life in general.
It’s brimful of wry comedy and bittersweet moments, like Polly’s summing-up of her husband: “He’s a socialist but he doesn’t like people”.
Venue: Riverside Arts Centre, Thames Street, Sunbury.
Dates and times: 8pm – 10pm on 12th – 14th October
Entrance: £10
Box Office: 07505 206757
NHS North West Surrey Clinical Commissioning Group is hosting two public information meetings to update local residents following the fire at Weybridge Community Hospital in July.
These meetings are intended to update local residents on progress so far (particularly relating to the relocation of the two GP practices, the pharmacy and some community services back to the Weybridge Hospital site in temporary accommodation) and our plans to engage local residents on the future shape/design of the health and care facility in Weybridge.
NHS North West Surrey CCG will also be joined by colleagues from NHS Property Services, CSH Surrey and other partners.
The meetings are taking place on Tuesday 17 October at:
Venue: The Weybridge Centre for the Community Churchfield Place, Off Churchfield Road Weybridge KT13 8BD
Times: 2.00 - 3.30 pm 7.30 - 9.00 pm
These two meetings will follow the same format and are being offered at two different times to allow for those who work during the day. Both are open to all. It would be helpful if you could let us know if you are intending to come along to give us an idea of numbers by calling 01372 232400, emailing us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or textphone on 07880 091328
The next Music Night at Sunbury Cricket Club is on Saturday 28th October and features the stunning rock band NEVER THE BRIDE. This notice is being published a bit further ahead of the date than normal, as those who are aiming to come will almost certainly want to book in advance since advance booking offers a substantial discount on the door price, and as it’s also open to the band’s regular fans, there’s a chance it will sell out ahead of the date.
This event is actually being promoted by the band themselves – Nikki Lambourn, their lead singer, always likes to do a special gig on her birthday and asked if they could do it at the Club on this particular Saturday, rather than our normal Friday shows. They are a band the Club were looking to book anyway, so they were very happy to accommodate them and help promote it as part of our Music Night programme.
They are a sensational ‘live’ band, and Radio 2’s Bob Harris reckons they are “one of the best live bands in Britain”, while Roger Daltrey of The Who says Nikki’s got the “best rock voice since Janis Joplin”. It is guaranteed to be a hugely entertaining evening. There’s full information and lots of video and music at www.neverthebride.com.
As it’s their promotion, they are looking after all the ticketing arrangements, but the Club has arranged that recipients of their publicity can get a £2.50 discount off the normal price for booking in advance, which is £15.00. You can book in advance by going to www.neverthebride.eventbrite. co.uk and using the Promotional Code 250off in order to get the discounted price. Everyone who comes on the night without booking in advance will pay £18.00.
Spelthorne’s Community Safety Partnership is holding a public meeting on Tuesday 10 October to let residents know about the work being undertaken by the Police, Council and other local agencies to tackle crime and disorder.
The meeting is being held from 7pm-8.30pm in the Chamber at the Council Offices in Knowle Green and features presentations from Surrey Police and Spelthorne Borough Council, followed by a question and answer session where residents can raise any local concerns.
For more details about the meeting, please contact the Community Safety team - email community.safety@spelthorne. gov.uk or call 01784 446322.
Spelthorne’s Community Safety Partnership is made up of the following members:
The Council is offering residents the opportunity to take up a half-price subscription to join this year's garden waste collection service from 1 October for £26.
The collection is fortnightly and will last until the end of March 2018 (please note, there is no service for 6 weeks during the Christmas period and January).
For more details or to join visit our garden waste page at https://www.spelthorne.gov.uk/gwform or call the Customer Services team on 01784 451499.
Chennestone Primary and Beauclerc Infant schools – again rated Good by Ofsted in 2017 - are looking for members of the local community to join their Governing Body.
Being a governor is very rewarding with a range of important responsibilities, which include shaping the future of the school, deciding the key issues that will help to raise standards and determining how the school should best spend its money to achieve these aims.
No qualifications needed - just commitment, the desire to make a positive contribution, time - a couple of evenings a term - and the opportunity to occasionally visit the school ‘at work’ during the school day. Training is provided.
Please contact Helen Bingham on 01932 785477 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.
Jazz vocalist Anita Wardell has been acclaimed for the unique artistry she brings to scat and be-bop singing. Raves from peers and critics alike have cemented her reputation as one of Britain’s finest vocalists.
She will be appearing in a tribute to Betty Carter at the Riverside Arts Centre, 59 Thames Street, Sunbury at 7.30pm on Sunday 1st October and will be backed by Terence Collie (piano); Oli Hayhurst (bass); and Emiliano Carroseli (drums).
Tickets £9 via website: www.moodindigoevents.co.uk or £12 on the door.
There's a bogus Netflix email doing the rounds this week that's designed to snatch your bank details.
An email from supportnetflix or similar is landing in peoples in-boxes warning that your Netflix account is on hold because of a problem with the last payment. A link in the email takes users to a fake Netflix page where you are invited to input your bank details.
Do NOT click on the link, instead, if you wish to verify, open a new browser and log into your account independently.
Spelthorne Borough Council will be holding its second annual Living Well Week from Monday 25 September – Sunday 1 October. Designed for the over 50s, this seven-day event promotes some of the activities and services aimed at helping older people improve their health.
Leading a healthier lifestyle doesn't necessarily mean going to the gym - it could be joining a walking group or taking up yoga, line dancing, or cycling. There really is something for everyone.
As part of the event, Spelthorne’s Community Centres are offering the chance for all new visitors to try an activity for free and giving away goody bags from 25-29 September. You can also try one free session from the Get Active 50+ programme with activities such as badminton, walking football, touch tennis and jogging. Further activities are also taking place at the Spelthorne and Sunbury Leisure Centres and at various other locations in the Borough.
Pick up your free guide from the Council offices, health centres, leisure centres, libraries and community centres. You can also download it from the Spelthorne Council’s website.
For more information and full details for the week, please visit www.spelthorne.gov.uk/living- well or call 01784 451499.
Friday, 29TH September
VENUE: The Embroidery Gallery
FROM 7.30PM tickets £5.00 (includes a glass of wine.)
Thursday 28th September
One of Britain’s Best known textile artists, writer and lecturer, Diana Springall gives a lively talk about her life and her unique collection of Contemporary textile work.
VENUE: The Orangery Squires Nursery Shepperton
Tickets: £8. Includes a glass of wine.
Wednesday 1st November
Dr Phillip Cribb takes us on a fascinating journey through China. In conjunction with his photographic exhibition at the Gallery
VENUE: The orangery, Squires Nursery, Shepperton
Tickets: £8 includes a glass of wine.
ALL TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM SUNBURY EMBROIDERY GALLERY 01932 788101
The latest news on archaeology, community resilience measures and the environmental impact assessment of the River Thames Scheme may be viewed by clicking on the link below:
http://environment-agency.uk.com/3O4M-7UQ7-1A10S6B8E8/cr.aspx
As you may know, Tesco, through their Bags Of Help community grant scheme, are making money raised by their 5p charge for them supplying customers with plastic bags available to support local community projects, and customers have the opportunity to vote for projects which have been proposed.
The Friends of Sunbury Park have successfully made an application to be one of the projects which are currently being voted on at the Sunbury Tesco store. The application is for funds to enhance Sunbury Park through planting of native wild flowers and herbs to encourage biodiversity and improve the habitat for all kinds of wildlife.
When you shop they you will be offered a blue disc which you can put in a voting tube. There are three projects to vote for of which the FoSP is one – the most popular will get £4,000, the next one £2,000 and the third one gest £1,000.
Please help us to support the enhancement of Sunbury Park by voting for the FoSP application.
Sunbury Cricket Club’s 1st X1 crowned another excellent season last weekend when, on Saturday, they beat Ashtead in the final League game of the season to secure second place in the Premier Division of the Surrey Championship, having won the title in the previous two years, and then on Sunday scored a famous victory when they beat Middlesex champions Ealing to win the Club Cricket Conference Cup Final.
On a small ground at Chingford, Sunbury batted first and, taking advantage of the short boundaries, ran up a total of 292 all out in their allotted 45 overs, with skipper John Maunders, a former county player with Leicestershire and Essex, scoring 125. So prolific were the six hits that six balls were lost in surrounding gardens.
Ealing, who came with a lofty reputation, were never in the hunt, with accurate bowling and brilliant fielding from Sunbury reducing them to 27-3 after ten overs, and they were eventually all out for 192, with Sunbury winning by 100 runs.
It was a long-awaited revenge for Sunbury’s defeat to Ealing the last time they appeared in this competition’s final a number of years ago.
The Club Cricket Conference Cup, which used to be the Evening Standard Cup, was merged this year with the Bertie Joel Cup, a mid-week knock-out competition for clubs in the London and the south-east, and, now known as The Conference Cup for The Bertie Joel Trophy, is the primary Cup Competition for clubs in London and the Home Counties.