The latest flooding update from Spelthorne Council is reproduced here for the information of members:

Flooding

Flood warnings have been issued along the whole of the Thames through Spelthorne.

Updated: 11 February 2014

There is a real risk that properties may flood. Please make sure you are signed up for the Environment Agency's Floodline Warnings Direct and use this checklist now to prepare and protect your home from damage.

River levels

Severe flood warnings have been issued for the River Thames. This means severe flooding is imminent with potential loss to life.

River levels in the Sunbury area are expected to rise slowly over the next few days as water makes it way downstream and in response to further forecast rainfall today and over the next few days. Further flooding of properties located closest to the river is expected.

The current river forecast suggests that river levels in this area could reach a higher level than those seen in January 2003. As you know, this won't happen overnight but by early to the middle of next week these levels could be realised.

The Council, in close liaison with Surrey County Council, continues to update its website information including providing links to the Environment Agency’s guidance on Flooding from Groundwater.

See also the article of 13th January 'Getting the Best out of EA Flood Warnings'.

The Sunbury & Shepperton Arts Association presents the next Coffee Concert at the Riverside Arts Centre on Saturday 8 February, featuring:

GELACHTER WIND TRIO:

Emma McGovern, oboe
Adam Slater, clarinet
Susanne Simma, bassoon

Mozart Divertimento No 1
Bozza Suite en Breve
Gordon Jacob Trio
Beethoven Variations on La Ci Darem 

Coffee and croissants will be served from 10.15am. The recital will start at 11am and last approximately an hour. Tickets: £7.50

To book tickets, please call the Box Office on 01932 782788 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

LOSRA, a great supporter of Thames 21, has received the following email together with an announcement of two forthcoming events asking for volunteers. If you have never been involved before, why not give it a try. It's a great morning out in the fresh air, close to nature and wildlife.

"Dear Volunteers and Supporters,

"Thank you for all your participation in the project at your local site throughout 2013. There have been great contributions to each area, beneficial to the Thames and its tributaries by many. With the new approach to catchment management the Non-Tidal Thames Volunteer project will work with Catchment Partnerships. I am excited in continuing this energy with all through 2014, where we will continue to improve our River Thames."

Click here to view the flyer

Police in Spelthorne are urging the public to stay on their guard after elderly and vulnerable residents in Sunbury-on-Thames have been recently contacted by cold callers.

A number of residents have been visited by cold callers representing security companies and saying that there they are selling burglar alarms as part of a burglary campaign in the area.

Company Representatives give residents the impression that the alarm is sponsored and supported by Surrey Police and that the alarm itself is free, but that the lifetime monitoring service costs in excess of £2000.

Surrey Police has received several reports of such incidents.

Spelthorne Neighbourhood Inspector Ian St. John said: "Fortunately on these occasions no one signed up to the offer and no money was handed over but these unwanted calls can be extremely distressing for elderly people, often trying to catch them off guard and convince them to have security systems installed that they may not want or need.

"I would like to make it clear that Surrey Police does not endorse any alarm or security companies and we would urge residents to treat any free offers with caution as there may be hidden costs for monitoring.It is also worth noting that by law cold callers must offer a seven-day cooling off period before starting any work. If members of the public are considering buying an alarm they should avoid cold callers and preferably obtain a number of quotes from reputable companies. Surrey Police can provide advice about crime prevention, which could include a visit from our Crime Prevention Officer.

"The Safer Neighbourhood Teams across the borough are aware of the recent reports and we are working closely with our colleagues at Surrey Trading Standards to monitor any reports of cold calling.”

Anyone with concerns about companies should call Trading Standards' consumer direct on 0845 4040506.

If you employ, as consultants, a company that builds and runs waste incinerators and ask for a waste disposal solution, don't be surprised if an incinerator is recommended. Not any old existing incinerator, but one that needs to be built and run by that company. If that company can call it a gasifier and then claim up to three times the financial benefits, so much the better.

Readers will remember the Private Eye 'Rotten Boroughs' article published here on 11th December.

This week's edition of the magazine features 'Old Sparky' which is reproduced here

The following email has been received by LOSRA and is published on behalf of Hawkedale Infant School:

Dear Sir/Madam

I am a school community Governor at an infant school in Sunbury. The school is looking for more Partnership Governors.

Hawkedale School is a small infants school with 90 children aged 4 - 7 years old, situated in Lower Sunbury. The governing body currently has vacancies for partnership governors (those from the outside community).

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 considerable responsibility and in order to be an effective governor there is a need to learn about current educational developments and practices.

If you are able to commit time and would be 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 Lisa Willard, Chair of Governors, on tel: 01932 789412 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Also the school are looking for volunteers to help the children (ages 4 – 7) with their reading. It would be any time between hours of 10 and 2.30pm and would be for about 45 minutes or longer if they wished. Very flexible arrangements.

Many thanks

Penny

07802 717164

The Cricket Club is carrying on the theme of top class ‘60s R&B with what promises to be another exciting Club debut for their next Music Night on Friday 31st January, when they welcome THE OTHERS for the first time. This gig certainly seems to have caused a bit of a stir locally, and the organiser has been contacted by several people who aren’t Music Night regulars but remember the band from their original incarnation back in the early ‘60s when they were at Hampton Grammar School – they obviously had a big following then, and many of those aficionados will be coming to catch up with them again.

When they first formed they got a record deal with the Fontana label while they were still doing their ‘A’ levels, and released a highly-rated version of Bo Diddley’s “Oh Yeah”, and were jostling for position alongside the likes of The Pretty Things, The Yardbirds and Downliners Sect in the R&B market of 1964. Unfortunately, they never quite hit the big time, and eventually went their separate ways, but stayed in touch and a couple of years ago decided to re-form.

The line-up comprises four members of the original band - Pete Hammerton (guitar), Paul Stewart (vocals/harmonica), Rob Tolchard (bass) and Geoff Coxon (drums). You can find out more at www.theothers.org.uk

Brian May of Queen has stated that he was very much inspired by The Others when he was a contemporary of theirs at Hampton Grammar, and formed the band Smile with schoolmate Tim Staffel before eventually going on to become part of Queen. Brian reckoned that Pete Hammerton was one of the best guitarists he’d ever seen.

The Council held an extraordinary Council meeting on Thursday 16 January to discuss the options for expansion at Heathrow Airport which were published on 13 December by the Independent Airports Commission.

Since 2008, the Council has supported airport expansion in principle. It reaffirmed its support for a further runway to the north west of Heathrow to best meet local and national economic interests and the importance of working with appropriate parties to resolve environmental and transport issues. The Airports Commission had published two options for Heathrow, both of which are to the north west of the airport, and one at Gatwick.

A final report is to be presented to Government no later than summer 2015.

The following email from one of our members has been received by LOSRA and, because of the controversial nature of the proposal, it is published here:

"As you will know a decision has been taken to introduce grazing cattle in Sunbury Park – taken without any public consultation (despite this being promised) and without ascertaining what the existing level of usage of the park is. We have been expressly told that this is not a financial decision but one aimed at promoting bio-diversity in the park.

"The park itself is an extremely important amenity to all that live in Sunbury and there is considerable opposition to the plan within the community. As such a group of us have got together and formed the Sunbury Park Action Group (SPAG) and we will be holding a meeting at the park on Saturday 1st February 2013 at 10am on the Ha Ha.

"It would be very good if you were able to attend and support us."

Kind regards,

SPAG