Welcome to the LOSRA Website
Like any local community, the policies and decisions shaping the character and future of Lower Sunbury are influenced by a combination of local and national government initiatives, alongside market forces and vested interests operating within these frameworks. As with many areas, Lower Sunbury faces challenges stemming from an aging infrastructure, rapid urban development, increasing traffic congestion, and other pressures that impact both quality of life and the distinctive character of the neighbourhood.
In collaboration with local authorities, other residents’ associations and amenity groups, LOSRA plays a vital role in addressing fundamental issues that affect its members' lives. This organisation not only engages with broader strategic concerns but also focuses on the everyday matters that shape community well-being.
To stay informed, we encourage you to subscribe to our regular e-bulletins via the link at the top left of this page. Your continued support is essential to our efforts, and we urge you to join or renew your membership. Subscriptions for 2026 are now payable at £5 per household. Donations are also welcome.
Council Invitation for Public to Attend Committee Meeting on Community Recycling Centres
The following self-explanatory letter inviting the attendance of residents at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee has been received by LOSRA. It will be noted that pre-submitted written questions, which must be submitted by 21st July, are invited.
Please reply to:
Contact: Gillian Hobbs
Service: Committee Services
Direct line: 01784 444243
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Our ref: OS/31/7
Date: 13 July 2017
Dear Sir/Madam,
Extraordinary Overview and Scrutiny Committee – 31 July 2017
Surrey County Council’s proposals for changes to Community recycling centres and their wider implications for the Borough
In response to concerns from the public about Surrey County Council’s consultation on proposed changes to Community recycling centres, Spelthorne Borough Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee has arranged an Extraordinary meeting to discuss those changes and the wider implications for the Borough.
Residents and interested parties from the local area are invited to attend this Committee meeting being held at 7.30 p.m on Monday 31 July 2017 in the Council Chamber, Spelthorne Borough Council Offices, Knowle Green, Staines-upon-Thames.
Members of the public are invited to observe the Committee meeting and at the discretion of the Chairman may be invited to ask questions. These should be sent to me by email or letter in advance of the meeting, and in any case by Friday 21 July 2017. Whilst the Chairman may invite you to put your question at the meeting, no-one will be called on to comment who has not submitted their question in advance.
The meeting will be chaired by Councillor Colin Davis from Spelthorne Borough Council. Representatives of Surrey County Council have been invited to attend.
Yours sincerely
Mrs Gillian Hobbs, Principal Committee Manager
Sunbury Health Centre - Latest Newsletter
The Sunbury Health Centre group practice 2017 summer newsletter has just been published and may be viewed by clicking here
Oak Processionary Moth Alert!
The oak processionary moth is a risk to human health. The larvae (caterpillars) are covered in irritating hairs that contain a toxin and contact with these hairs, or their inhalation, can result in skin irritation and allergic reactions. These problems are significant because the moth is often most abundant on urban trees, along forest edges and in amenity woodlands. Oak processionary moth is a native species of central and southern Europe, where it is widely distributed, but its range has been expanding northwards, presumably in response to climate change. It is now firmly established in northern France and the Netherlands, and has been reported from southern Sweden. More recently, colonies of larvae have been found in parts of London.
Their hairs can cause unpleasant skin, eye and throat irritations in people and animals.
You can help the Forrestry Commission control this pest so we can all continue to safely enjoy our parks and woodlands.
Please tell the Forrestry Commission if you see:
- processions or clusters of caterpillars in oak trees; or
- silken webbing trails or nests on the trunks or branches of oak trees
Remember to:
- keep away from the caterpillars and nests
- call NHS111 or see a doctor or vet for serious allergic reactions.
Nests or caterpillars in other trees are unlikely to be OPM and do not need to be reported.
Report OPM with Tree Alert at forestry.gov.uk/opm or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 0300 067 4442
Eco Park - Update on progress
For the latest information from Suez on the ‘Eco Park’ development, click here
Invitation to Sunbury Cricket Club Summer BBQ
SUMMER BBQ PLEASE COME ALONG AND SUPPORT OUR SUMMER BBQ - SATURDAY 15th JULY
FOOD: 6:00pm - 9:00pm
LIVE MUSIC: 8:30pm
TICKETS: £10 PER HEAD (£6 for U14s) - available from The Bar, Dave Smith, Karl Burgess
River Thames Scheme - Presentation to LOSRA AGM
At our AGM on 21st June we were very fortunate to have welcomed from the Environment Agency, Justine Glynn, Community Resilience Advisor, and Emma Booth, a chartered civil engineer who gave us an up-to-date presentation on the River Thames Scheme and its likely effect on the Lower Sunbury area. Justine offered to make available a copy of the slides that she and Emma used for the presentation.
More...
BIG STEAM Comes to Sunbury Cricket Club on Friday 7th July
The next Music Night falls on Friday 7th July when the Cricket Club welcomes BIG STEAM. Most of the members of Big Steam are familiar faces at the Club as they were formerly in The Others, the R&B band which was formed at Hampton Grammar School in the 60s, and were signed to the Fontana label, also taking over as the house band at Richmond’s Crawdaddy Club in the wake of the Rolling Stones and Yardbirds. They re-formed a few years ago and have done some excellent gigs at the Club.
They have undergone one or two changes over the last year or so, the main one being the addition of another former Hampton School contemporary, lead guitarist and singer Tim Staffel, who boasts a fascinating musical heritage, in that he was a member of the group Smile, the first group formed by Brian May of Queen when he was at Imperial College, with Roger Taylor, and which recorded briefly for the Mercury label. It was Tim who introduced Freddie Mercury to the band before he left to join Humpy Bong, although one of Tim’s songs, co-written with Brian, was on Queen’s first album.
As a result of Tim’s arrival, the musical profile has broadened from its hard-edged R&B base to include some original material, and having made their debut at last summer’s Ealing Blues Festival, they had done a couple of mini-tours in Europe in the last couple of months, so it promises to be an interesting and entertaining evening.
Food will be available as usual, and tickets for next month’s Hamilton Loomis gig will be on sale.
Another Great Evening of Jazz Coming up at the RAC on 9th July
The Riverside Arts Centre in Thames Street is fast becoming an established venue for monthly Sunday night jazz. Mood Indigo Events, the organisers, is a not-for-profit partnership set up and run by Janet McCunn and Terence Collie to put on and promote high quality jazz events in South West London.
On Sunday, 9th July the RAC will host a tribute to the great American saxophonist, Dexter Gordon featuring:
- Paul Young – saxophone
- Terence Collie – piano
- Paul Michael – bass
- Ted Carrasco – drums
Sunbury & Shepperton Arts Association Presents Arts Festival 2017, 15th – 23rd July
Sunbury and Shepperton Arts Association exists to foster artistic taste and to promote the knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the arts amongst those people living in Sunbury, Shepperton and surrounding areas.
Run entirely by unpaid volunteers SSAA has pleasure in promoting its annual Arts Festival from 15th – 23rd July.
For full details of the very varied programme of events, click here: http://www.ssaa-arts.org/
Benwell Community Centre Summer Fete and Open day, Friday 14th July 2017, 10am – 3pm
Having fought a long battle to maintain this Centre for the benefit of Sunbury Residents, we are delighted to forward this invitation to our website:
“Come and join us at the friendly Benwell centre for our summer fete, featuring various stalls, our line dancers will be performing and weather permitting BBQ and Pimms. We are raising money for our social funds to continue with events, parties and outings. We want to help combat loneliness and isolation.
“Benwell Centre is based within Mitchison Court, with easy access from Sunbury Station or by bus routes, 216, 235, 555, 557 and all have stops close by.
Benwell Centre, Downside, Sunbury-On-Thames, TW16 6RT 01932-784232
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For more information about the Benwell Centre and its programme of activities, visit: https://spelthorne.gov.uk/ benwellcentre
Salvation Army Open Afternoon at Thames Court on 1st July
Situated on the Lower Hampton Road, Thames Court, the HQ of the Salvation Army, is one of those local landmarks which has aroused the curiosity of residents over the years.
We are now invited to an open afternoon at these impressive premises between 1pm – 4pm on Saturday 1st July with a musical programme provided by the Staines Salvation Army band. All are welcome.
Chairman's Report to LOSRA 2017 AGM
Despite falling on the hottest June day on record, our AGM attracted a large number of existing and new members. Unfortunately, due to the parliamentary debate on the Queen’s speech our guest speaker, Kwasi Kwateng MP, was unable to attend. This in no way detracted from a very informative evening with presentations by the Environment Agency to update us on the Thames Flood Relief Scheme; and by Colin Squire on the birth and history of his family’s garden centres.
As is customary, Our Chairman, Paul Thompson opened the AGM with his report. To view, click here
Night lighting in Spelthorne to be restored
Night time street lights are being switched back on in Spelthorne from Thursday 22 June.
Although street lighting is the responsibility of the County Council, an agreement was made between the Leaders of Spelthorne Borough Council and Surrey County Council to reinstate night time lights in Spelthorne for an initial period of five years, on the understanding that the Borough Council would find the necessary funding.
This was approved by Surrey County Council's Cabinet on 30 May.
Cllr Ian Harvey, Leader of Spelthorne Council, said: “I am very pleased that we have been able to resolve this with the County Council. Lots of concerns were raised by residents about the switch off, many of whom are shift workers, so I am glad we have been able to respond to those concerns.”
Sexual Health Clinic at Ashford & St. Peter's Set to Close
The following email has been forwarded to LOSRA by Ashford North Residents’ Association:
Dear Residents
You may be aware the Blanche Heriot Unit at Ashford & St Peters is planned to close on 30th September 2017.
This will leave no level 3 Sexual Health Clinic in this area - the closest being several miles away in Guildford or Kingston. The replacement services are not as they purport to be and will not provide the same level of cover as the Blanche Heriot unit does.
- They see a vast number of pts- and because it is a confidential service the number of people they see is not always appreciated
- Breaking up a very efficient, humble, capable, experienced team- who often stay beyond their allotted hours
- Fall out on the local GP community will be significant.
- Short sighted closure with the potential effect of the spread of untreated sexual disease causing significant community and health service problems.
If you would like to make you voice heard and support keeping the Blanche Heriot unit open then please sign the petition at https://www.change.org/p/keep-blanche-heriot-unit-at-st-peter-s-hospital-open
