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 2025 are now payable.
Surrey Police Launch "Policing in Your Neighbourhood" Restructure
Surrey Police have made the following announcement:
Sunday April the 3rd saw the launch of the "Policing in Your Neighbourhood" restructure of Surrey Police. This means that there will be more of Surrey's uniformed officers per Borough responding to and investigating reports of crime and disorder. They will now be based in boroughs which means they will get to know the area and its residents/criminals. What this means for you is a greater police presence and a face and name that you will get to know as your investigation grows. It also means that the officer retains ownership of any calls they attend which means they will have a more personal attachment to their investigation.
Our CID department will investigate more serious crimes and offences requiring specialist investigation. They will also investigate matters that involve safeguarding vulnerable people.
There will still be a dedicated specialist neighbourhood team for Spelthorne this will consist of 2 sergeants, 2 PCs and 7 PCSOs (soon to be increased to 12). They are specialist officers who will problem solve serious chronic and long term neighbourhood issues.
Our priorities are to:
- Protect the most vulnerable
- Pursue criminals
- Prevent crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour
BAD INFLUENCE Return to Sunbury Cricket Club, Friday 8th April
The next Music Night at Sunbury Cricket Club is on Friday 8th April, when the Club welcomes back BAD INFLUENCE, who played a storming gig on their first Music Night appearance early last year.
This is something of a special occasion, as the band are celebrating their 30th gigging year, so it’s great that Sunbury can be part of their anniversary tour. They have been led throughout that time by the formidable talents of Val Cowell on guitar and vocals and Robert Hayes on lead and slide guitar, with the line-up also featuring Pete Stroud on bass, well-known to many of you as a regular member of Buddy Whittington’s touring band, plus drummer Harry James, formerly with Thunder and Magnum.
Their distinctive brand of driving blues/rock has earned them a big following, as well as bringing them the accolade of their latest CD “Carousel” being featured on Paul Jones’ Radio 2 blues show. Their CD releases and ‘live’ show features top class original material alongside versions of songs by the likes of Bonnie Raitt, Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty and others; and Val’s vocals were described by one reviewer as having “a tidal wave of a voice that can take on the mantle of our greatest singers”.
It will be proper rocking night in the best Music Night traditions.
Sunbury Cricket Club at the Heart of the Lower Sunbury Community
For those who may be unfamiliar with Sunbury Cricket Club, it is a vibrant and unique part of the Lower Sunbury community situated at the eastern end of Lower Sunbury between Harfield Road and Kenton Avenue.
The Club provides opportunities for players between the ages of 5 and 75+ and has a club house that is open all year round for social members to enjoy a relaxed ambience.
Adult Players and Ex-Players of all Ages and Standards and Social Members Welcome
There are opportunities aplenty for current players and those wishing to return to the game.
That Sunbury CC were winners of the Surrey Championship in 2015 belies the fact that the Club fields 7 or 8 XIs every weekend and both welcomes, and needs, players of all abilities to fulfil a varied and attractive fixture list. The Club fields four XIs on Saturdays and three, sometimes four, XIs on Sundays. There are also some mid-week fixtures.
The lower XIs provide a competitive yet sociable standard of cricket with older players, some of them distinctly middle aged, or beyond, providing leadership to the younger players making their way up the XIs. Our oldest player is 76 this year and several others are in their mid to late 60s.
To join: If you are interested in playing cricket or to join as a social member please contact the membership secretary at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call Peter Browne on 07802 444977.
Colts Cricket
The colts section provides opportunities for boys and girls from 5s (reception class) rising upwards. The youngest colts start with a soft ball with an emphasis on fun, teamwork and ball skills progressing gradually the standard format of the game from the age 9 upwards through to under 17s. Teenage colts also have the opportunity to play in the senior weekend XIs when they are ready to do so. Parents enjoy a family membership and usage of the social facilities of the Club as non-playing members.
Younger Colts: Parents of prospective colts in Reception through to Year 4 may enrol at the Club from 10:00am on any Sunday morning at the Club (post code TW16 5PS) from this Sunday 10th April or any subsequent Sunday.
Older Colts: Parents of prospective colts in Years 5 to Year 12 should contact John Ventham (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 07769 657032) or Dave Smith (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 07590 209763).
Social Activities
The Club hosts regular music, quiz and skittles nights.
Its community presence is strengthened by a large hall which can accommodate up to 150 people. This is supported by a well stocked bar and is available with or without catering for parties, receptions and other forms of entertainment at competitive rates. Bookings may be made by calling 01932 783133 or email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Orchard Meadow Natural Play Area - Free Launch Party
Following the article posted on this site on 22nd February, residents are invited by the Council to come along to the free official launch party at Orchard Meadow on Tuesday 12th April from 3.30 - 5.30pm.
There will be free entertainment including Punch and Judy, juggling, balloon modelling and arts & crafts.
Time is Running out to Register to Vote
We publish the following notice from Spelthorne Council:
Time is running out to make sure you have registered to vote for Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) on Thursday 5 May.
Spelthorne residents can check if they are registered to vote by contacting the Electoral Services team at Spelthorne Borough Council by email at electoral.services@spelthorne. gov.uk or by calling 01784 444218. Eligible voters who are not listed will need to register themselves by 18 April. If you have moved recently or are a first-time voter you will also need to register. This can be done by visiting www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.
Registering now also ensures those people eligible to vote in the European Referendum will be able to do so on 23 June. Another benefit of registering can include improving your credit rating as credit reference agencies check the electoral register for address information.
The role of Police and Crime Commissioners started in November 2012 and they are responsible for holding the Chief Constable and the police force to account on the public's behalf, overseeing how crime is tackled in their area, and aiming to make sure the police are providing a good service. Information on all the candidates for Surrey will be posted closer to polling day on www.choosemypcc.org.uk.
John Jory, Chief Executive of Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, is the Police Area Returning Officer (PARO) responsible for the PCC elections in the Surrey police force area. He said: "Anyone not yet registered to vote should do so as soon as possible so they can have their say on issues that affect their day-to-day lives. It only takes a few minutes to complete the form and register to vote online.”
All borough and district Local Returning Officers (LROs) will be responsible for the conduct of the election in their particular areas on Thursday 5 May 2016. They will send their verification and count results to the PARO on Friday 6 May and the PARO will manage the overall verification and count process. The PCC result announcement will be made at Donyngs Leisure Centre at Redhill on Friday 6 May.
Anyone thinking of standing as a candidate in the PCC election needs to submit their nomination by 4pm on Thursday 7 April.
For further information about the PCC election and how to stand as a candidate visit www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk/pccelection
Charlton Lane Re-cycling Centre - Change to Hours and Operation
Further to the article published on this site on 8th March please note the changes to opening hours of the Charlton Lane Re-cycling centre. In addition, LOSRA has been asked to publish the information leaflet which announces more restrictive policies as a result on cuts in central government funding.
Opening hours
Until 31 March 2016
- Monday to Friday - 8am to 4.15pm
- Weekends - 9am to 4.15pm
From 1 April 2016 (all year round)
- Monday to Friday - 8am to 4pm
- Weekends - 9am to 4pm
The centre is closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day
More...
Charity Dinner and Auction at The Magpie, 31st March
A charity dinner and auction will be held at the Magpie, Thames Street, on 31st March.
The event is being held in aid of the Woking and Sam Beare hospices and should be a great night.
Tickets at £20 will include a 2 course meal.
The lots for the charity auction include:
- a signed football shirt from Alessandro Del Piero
- a home cinema experience for 8 people, with champagne and chocolates
- a 1:14 Lamborghini remote control car (it's quite a big one)
- a travel kit - 7 luxury travel items
- a meal at the the Magpie
- a meal at Indian Zest
- a meal at St. Margaret's Tavern
There will also be lots of smaller prizes for the raffle.
Manor Players Present "Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell" at the RAC 31st March - 2nd April
Ever go to the pub? Don’t we all?
Like the pub atmosphere? Like the landlord? Feel welcome? Of course!
Ever chatted over old times, reminisced with other regulars, regretted things you did or didn't do? Doesn’t everyone?
Ever bellyached about your problems and frustrations? Naturally!
Ever been locked in the pub overnight? Probably not!
Well Jeffrey Bernard, our anti-hero, really was, and spends the time reminiscing about his riotous untidy life-style in a vulgar and witty humorous style.
If it's laughter you’re after, join him in the Coach and Horses at the Riverside Arts Centre, Thames Street, from March 31st to April 2nd.
Share his life and his loves and his friends and see just what a real journalist gets up to and just why he is unwell !
With only one week to go before "Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell" opens, now is the time to secure your tickets for only £10 as otherwise all tickets will be £2 more expensive if purchased on the door.
The best way to purchase tickets is to book on-line. Go to direct to the Manor Players booking system at
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/manorplayers or via their website www.manorplayers.org.
Simple, as you can select your own own seat; and you can pay with your credit card; and therefore no hassle for you.
Alternatively you can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 0777 1458696.
Is Your Dog Microchipped?
Most dog owners will probably already be aware that from 6 April 2016 it will be a legal requirement in England for all dogs, by the age of 8 weeks, to be microchipped and registered with their keepers' contact details.
All keepers, including breeders, must also ensure their dog's microchip contact details continue to be kept up-to-date. Key points that dog owners and breeders should be aware of:
- if an owner changes their details, moves house or changes contact number they must make sure details are updated on the database
- if a dog without a microchip comes to the attention of the authorities, the dog's keeper may be served with a notice requiring the dog to be microchipped within 21 days, and may face prosecution and a £500 fine if they do not comply
- the only exemption from the requirement to microchip a dog is where a vet has certified in writing that the dog is unfit to be microchipped
- anyone breeding dogs will be responsible for microchipping their puppies before they sell or give them to new keepers
Free microchipping is available at some charities including Battersea Dogs Home and The Dogs Trust. Alternatively speak to your local vet.
London Irish Mini Festival 24th April - Advance Warning to Residents
This advance warning is published for the attention of all residents living in roads close to the London Irish Hazelwood grounds off Green Street.
Following the parking problems at the time of last year's London Irish Mini Festival, the Vice-chairman LOSRA met with the Chairman of the Amateur RFC on 18th May 2015 to explore ways of reducing the nuisance of blocked streets and driveways which resulted from inconsiderate parking by visitors to the Festival.
This year’s festival will be held on Sunday 24th April 2016 and the numbers of attendee’s are envisaged to be similar to last year. The busiest time for traffic will be 8am to 10.30am, peaking between 9 - 10am as teams arrive for a 10.am start. The event has a staggered finish from approximately 2pm (age group dependent), with the last games finishing about 4pm.
In his recent email to LOSRA, Eric Griffith, the Chairman LIAFC wrote:
"L. Irish will be putting in place the same level of car parking planning and provision as last year, as well as improvements based on feedback received. Visiting teams will be directed a week before the event to use public transport, car share as much as possible and that parking on local streets in not available, and to use Kempton Park. Please be assured we will do all that is reasonably within our control to manage the traffic flow, direct attendee’s to designated parking at Kempton Park and to use the shuttle service, but we have no legal rights to enforce no parking areas,….we rely on the goodwill, cooperation and common-sense of our visitors."
Having to rely on the 'goodwill, cooperation and common-sense of our visitors' is about as much as can be expected and much will depend on how efficiently the visiting clubs communicate with their individual members. We shall see....
Jason Rebello - Solo Piano at the Riverside Arts Centre, Sunday, 3rd April
"In terms of sheer ability and potential, Jason is probably the finest young jazz musician this country has produced. His playing has great poise and maturity which is unusual in somebody so young." - Stuart Nicholson, author, Jazz: The Modern Resurgence.
Jason emerged in the late 1980s as a jazz pianist influenced by Herbie Hancock and McCoy Tyner. In his early 20s he recorded three solo albums, including A Clearer View (1990), his debut album, which was produced by Wayne Shorter and led to him appearing on the cover of The Wire magazine. Jason also worked with Jean Toussaint, Tommy Smith and Branford Marsalis, and presented Artrageous on BBC television.
Work with Sting and Jeff Beck
In 1998 Sting invited Jason to join his band following the death of Kenny Kirkland. He toured with Sting for the next six years and recorded three albums. He then became a member of Jeff Beck's band, touring for six years and recording three albums. During these years with Sting and Beck, Jason also worked with Chaka Khan, Des'ree, Mica Paris, Carleen Aderson, Manu Katche, Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel.
Return to solo work
In May 2013 Jason told the Huffington Post that after twelve years of touring as a session musician he was now re-establishing himself as a solo artist, specifically in jazz. On 4th November 2013 he released the album Anything but Look on Lyte Records. It features Will Downing, Omar, Joy Rose, Jacob Collier, Tim Garland and Pino Palladino.
Jason also teaches music, lecturing at his alma mater Guildhall School of Music and Bath Spa University, among others.
Jason's performance starts at 7.30pm and tickets may be purchased at the door £12 or, via the website £10: www.moodindigoevents.co.uk
LOSRA Spring Newsletter Out Now
Our Spring Newsletter, currently with the printers, will be delivered to Lower Sunbury households from 16th March.
Going to the Tip? Best Read the Rules!
Further to the article published on this Site on 10th February, the following is a reply email from the Waste Operations Group Manager, Surrey County Council to an email sent by one of our members:
As you will probably be aware , Surrey County Council makes policy and then we ask SITA to implement it and therefore I think your mail is more for me to answer that SITA. SITA's employees are working under the instruction of Surrey County Council in this respect.
Firstly I would like to clarify that Surrey householders may bring their own household waste to the Community Recycling Centre free of charge. There is no restriction on the amount that you can bring or how it is transported. The waste will be accepted whether it is in a car, van or trailer, although residents bringing waste to the site in vans or trailers will need to obtain a permit from the county council. Therefore in the context of your e-mail below, residents may bring as many bags of leaves from their homes as they like as leaves are considered to be household waste. There are however certain types of waste that don’t fall within the definition of household waste. Waste produced by construction and DIY projects in the home including improvements, alterations or repairs and from excavations, are classified as industrial waste and the county council is not obliged to accept these materials free of charge. Examples of these types of waste include kitchen and bathroom fittings, doors, windows, timber, fencing and sheds, rubble, soil, paving slabs and plaster.
Anyone wishing to dispose of these types of materials, whether a householder or a trader, must pay the appropriate charge and this can only be done at a transfer station where facilities exist to weigh the waste and apply the appropriate charge.
To assist the public with small amounts of this type of waste, Surrey County Council has , for the past 20 years, adopted a policy that allows householders to bring small amounts of construction waste in their car, free of charge. Over the past few years the quantity of construction and DIY waste that is brought to our sites has increased significantly, and we have also identified that traders are using large cars to transport this waste to avoid payment. The council can no longer bear the cost of dealing with this waste and in April 2016 we will introduce charges for certain types of construction waste even if brought in a car.
Prior to the introduction of these changes we have tried to better define what constitutes a ‘small’ amount of construction waste in order to make things clearer for both the residents and site staff.
We published information on our website which advised residents that we would consider ‘small’ amounts to be that, which would fit within the boot of a car with the seats up and we asked our contractors staff to communicate this to residents at the recycling centres.
Having listened to our residents we realise that we did not give enough prior notice of this definition before implementation and therefore we have instructed our contractor to relax these restrictions until we have undertaken further communication with our residents. We will provide further information in March 2016 on the charges that will be applied for this type of waste from April.
I hope this clarifies the situation
Regards
Richard
Richard Parkinson
Waste Operations Group Manager, Environment Service, Surrey County Council
Cafe Assistant Wanted at the Embroidery Gallery Cafe
Advertising Positions Vacant is not usually part of this Site's function. However, we are pleased to assist Lower Sunbury's premier local attraction at the Walled Garden which is a registered charity.
Part time assistant wanted for our gallery cafe. Lunchtimes plus some additional hours and occasional weekends. Must be friendly, flexible and hard working.
Call Carole 01932 788101
