Sunbury Matters October 2021

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October2021 2021 October October 2021

Issue125 125 Issue Issue 125

Your Monthly View of Sunbury on Thames

Your Monthly onThames Thames Your MonthlyView View of of Sunbury Sunbury on

Sunbury

Matters

Your Award Winning Community Magazine

October 2021

Issue 125

Your Monthly View of Sunbury on Thames

Local Culture and Music Eve Local Culture and Music Events Local Culture and Music Events Local Culture and Music Events

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Welcome!

It’s amazing really how much life has returned to our village and local area. The Riverside Arts Centre has so much going on, with the recent showcase of some excellent culture. And there is a new theatre in Esher.

Details on p 46. Make the most of it!

We are delighted to say that the Sunbury Christmas Market will be ON again this year. We are taking bookings for stalls already and it is going to be such a good night. December 9th, 5-8. We will keep you updated in future issues too.

I know I keep going on about the Surplus shop. It’s because I volunteer there and know how brilliant it is. If you haven’t

October 2021 visited yet then please do.

11.30-1 on Saturday and Sunday at the front of Sunbury Cricket Club. Make a donation to the charity and walk off with full shopping bags of food that was surplus from the supermarkets.

Those donations will go back into helping those who need it in our community. You will be really making a difference!

Reader Offers The Flower Pot - 15% off food Village Windows - 20% off repairs Spelthorne Gymnastics Pre School - Free trial LSA Outlet Shop - Bargains galore!

Contents

Published by:

Village Matters Ltd

An Early Film at Shepperton 1908 Christmas is coming!

Stock up at Surplus Shop to Help Charity Donations or Fly Tipping?

Remembrance Day in Sunbury Anna Gammond 1930-2021 Support Local Dad in Charity Run Mental Health Issues in Young Local Capture Sunbury Cross to get Makeover?

Music Nights Return to Cricket Club Recipe of the Month Spelthorne/Runnymede Drama Fest St Mary’s Newsletter Notes from the Riverside Arts Centre LOSRA Says Sunbury Beat ScamWatch Ashford & St Peter’s Update Gardening Matters Ad Index/Prices/Deadlines

Advertising / Editorial :

Monica Chard

Telephone: 07979 808991 Email: monica@villagematters.co.uk Web Site: www.villagematters.co.uk Front cover - Thames Street after the rain. Ryan McAndrew Please send any hi res photos for consideration to info@villagematters.co.uk

Please ‘like’ us

www.facebook/Sunbury & Shepperton Matters To advertise call Monica on 07979 808991

Monica and team!

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An Early Cinema Film at Shepperton, 1908

By Nick Pollard

Shepperton Studios has been the centre of film making in our area since the 1930s, but filming in the village dates back considerably before this, to the early days of cinema in this country.

Cecil Hepworth of Walton-on-Thames established the first purpose-built film studios in Britain at his home in Hurst Grove in 1899, but also used the surrounding district for open air scenes. An early film shot mainly in Shepperton was ‘The Dog Outwits the Kidnapper’ of 1908, directed by Lewin Fitzhamon. This built upon the phenomenal success of ‘Rescued by Rover’ (1905) which starred the Hepworth family collie, Blair, as ‘Rover’, who became the first dog to be a cinema star, many years before the likes of RinTin-Tin or Lassie. The plot was fairly similar to the previous film (why change a winning formula?) and involved ‘Rover’ chasing a kidnapper whom he had witnessed taking a child (Hepworth’s daughter Barbara) from the family home and making off by car. The dog chases the car through roads in Shepperton, Russell Road and Chertsey Road being identifiable, before catching up with the villain (played by Hepworth himself) when the latter stops for refreshment at the Anchor in Church Square. No sooner has the miscreant gone into the hotel than the dog jumps into the driving seat and speeds off home, rescuing the child! There were no editing special effects used to show the dog driving – Hepworth himself hid under the dashboard and operated the steering wheel while the dog sat behind the wheel – as in the publicity shot above, taken to promote the film.

Blair continued to star in films as late as 1912. Hepworth returned to Shepperton several times to shoot other films, most notably an adaption of Dickens’ ‘Barnaby Rudge’ in 1914 which involved a large set built somewhere in Shepperton, consisting of 18th century London streets and the notorious Newgate Gaol which features in the story.

The Sunbury and Shepperton Local History Society is holding a 70 th Anniversary exhibition of old photos of the area at the Orangery, Squire’s Garden Centre, Upper Halliford, on Sat 2nd and Sun 3rd October, 10am to 4pm. Admission is free. The next monthly meeting is at Halliford School on Tuesday 19 th October when the subject will be ‘Tall Tales-Local Historic and Notable Trees’ by Sue Rhodes. Admission is £2 for non-members.

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Christmas is Coming…..

By Monica Chard

With so many events cancelled, even in recent months, we all need some fun. So the Lower Sunbury Business Community is starting to make plans for CHRISTMAS! We know how much you all love the Lower Sunbury Christmas market, so we are going to be running it again this year. Put the date in your diary. It will be December 9th and we are excited already!

We will be closing the lower part of The Avenue, outside the shops. This will allow you to wander peacefully around the stalls.

Closure from 3pm-9pm. We will have 30 or so stalls, selling a variety of gifts and goodies as well as food for you to enjoy during your night out.

The Salvation Army is again coming to play carols so you can all get in the spirit of Christmas and help them with a donation towards those in need.

There will be a smattering of children’s rides to bring a little colour and light to the evening.

And we are going to be running the Christmas raffle again, with some great prizes donated by local businesses. The main prize (as yet undisclosed) will be donated by the Lower Sunbury Business Community.

pandemic.

The event is run by volunteers who want to make a difference to the village. Please be patient if you are not able to drive down the Avenue for these few hours. Think of the greater good! So many people will be out enjoying a little taste of normality.

The date: December 9th 5-8pm

The trusty raffle girls will be happy to help!

All proceeds from the Christmas event will be redirected towards village projects. We support the flowering baskets in the village and have donated towards the Riverside Arts Centre to help keep it running during the To advertise call Monica on 07979 808991

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Stock up at Surplus Shop and Support Others

By Monica Chard

You will most probably have heard about the impending cut to Universal Credit, scheduled for early October. A reduction of £20 per week may not sound huge to many of us, but to some it will make the difference between being able to feed a family, or not.

The Trussell Trust predicts that the impact of this cut means that one in five people will skip a meal and one in six will need now to use a food bank.

In addition, the furlough scheme, which has protected millions of jobs, was finally wound down at the end of September.

Many people are now facing losing their jobs and income.

Surplus to Supper has already been contacted by many charities and groups who are looking for support and for surplus food. We help as many causes as we can.

So where do YOU come in?

It’s easy. You can choose to come to do your weekly shopping at the Surplus shop (#surplusshop), and leave a mindful donation.

Give what you can, or feel is fair, but as a guideline, donations vary between £5-£20.

All the donations taken from the weekend shop go back into the charity. These donations keep our vans going, allowing us to pick up surplus food and deliver it to where it is most needed. It allows us to deliver ready prepared meals directly to those in need.

These vans are on the road seven days a week, picking up and redistributing to foodbanks and local projects, and you can be part of keeping that going.

At the shop you will find an abundance of fresh fruit and veg as well as bread and cakes.

You may be lucky and find we also have yoghurts and cheeses. You never really know what you are going to find at Surplus, as the supermarkets let us have goods which they have too much of, or the labelling and packaging may be incorrect. Honestly, that is part of the fun! Talking of fun, it is also manned To advertise call Monica on 07979 808991

The Surplus hub with fabulous volunteers!

by a team of fabulous volunteers who are happy to help you to fill your bags with great produce.

Let’s dispel some myths: THIS FOOD IS NOT OFF!!!!!

THE SURPLUS SHOP IS NOT A FOOD BANK!!

IS IT FOR YOU? YES IT IS!!!

I joined as a volunteer for Surplus to Supper some 6 months ago. I help out at the Surplus shop on a Saturday so come on down and say hello. On Saturday and Sunday between 11.30 -1pm the ‘shop’ is open to EVERYONE to come and get your fresh produce in exchange for a donation to the charity. You will be helping reduce food waste, helping your local community and supporting us to continue doing what we do to help others.

Finally, if you have not yet discovered the Surplus Café, that is also worth a visit. Friday 6pm-9pm, Saturday and Sunday 12-2 and Monday 10am-6pm. Have a bacon sarnie, or a plate of curry and know that all proceeds also support the charity.

Sunbury Cricket Club Lower Hampton Road Sunbury on Thames TW16 5PS

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Charity Donations or Fly Tipping?

Walking down Shepperton high street one Monday morning recently I saw street sweeper Jean, picking up bags from outside the QEF charity shop (closed on a Monday) and putting them in her rubbish cart. “Look at it all!” she said. Boxes, bags and furniture, left outside the shop and literally spilling across the pavement. This

is what is known as fly tipping and as such carries an £80 on the spot fine.

You might think that by leaving your donations outside the charity shops you are doing them a favour. But it defeats the object.

Shops do not accept donations left outside.

They are obliged to dispose of them, due to health and safety rules. Jean had called the fly tipping squad to come and collect what she could not take away.

The shops have notices on the windows stating “Do not leave donations outside”.

Please do as they ask. Hand donations over personally and if they can’t accept them, then try somewhere else. Donated goods are so important. Shops sell your donated goods and raise money for good causes. Your goods do not end up in landfill, and you will not be creating a fly tipping problem. Some people complain about Shepperton having too many charity shops, but I love them! So many treasures that other people no longer want. So let’s make sure those goods end up where they can do good, and not in the bin! Thank you.

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REMEMBRANCE DAY, 14TH NOVEMBER 2021 SUNBURY REMEMBERS 2021 marks 100 years of the Royal British Legion supporting the armed forces community.

It is also 100 years since the start of The Poppy Appeal.

Mel Searle from the Royal British Legion Sunbury Branch together with others from the branch and a small group of volunteers from the community are working to ensure Sunbury marks Remembrance Day in the most fitting way possible.

At the time of writing it is uncertain that we will able to organise a full parade in Sunbury in 2021 as was done in 2019, especially given the continuing uncertainties in relation to COVID. Spelthorne's 8 parade groups are meeting with the Council to discuss options but it is possible that events marking Remembrance in the borough will be quite different to what they were pre-pandemic.

More details will be published shortly and in the meantime we are focussing on supporting The Poppy Appeal in the run up to Remembrance Day and developing the idea of organising a local Tommy Trail.

Mel Searle, who is also Sunbury's Poppy Lady, kicked off this year's Sunbury Poppy Appeal with a Poppy Appeal Day at the Admiral Hawke on Saturday, 18th September and is organising Lamppost Poppies again with Kaye Lennon from Knight's Glass.

Mel and her small team of fundraisers have also been encouraging businesses To advertise call Monica on 07979 808991

and local organisations to get involved by sponsoring a Tommy statue for a Tommy Trail.

At the time of going to press we have so far had sponsorship promised from the following organisations for Tommy statues: Crick Heitman Accountants. Knights Glass. Lodge Bros. Rigby Golding Solicitors. Spelthorne Sports Club and Tesco. We have also had community sponsorship from individuals and we thank them for their generous support.

More details of this year's appeal can be found on the Sunbury Poppy Appeal Facebook page here https:// www.facebook.com/melanie.searle.52.

If you would like more information on any of the above, if you can help with fundraising or if you would like a wreath and have yet to order one, please call Mel Searle on 01932 785836 or mail sunburypoppy@outlook.com.

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Anna Gammond 1930-2021

By Monica Chard

revelled in the performances they put on at the village hall. She just loved performing.

Friend Mary Lodge said of her “You were extraordinary. On stage you were brilliant. In life you were even better…. But by God you were an awful singer”! Her family would agree with this sentiment! Anna would have laughed. She had a great sense of humour, loved entertaining and adored people, showing interest in them and their lives. She had a great gift of getting on with children too.

When she retired from St Ignatius she was given a standing ovation.

In her later years she adored spending time with her grandchildren, telling them stories, which she recorded on tape and endlessly entertaining them. ‘Granna’, as she was fondly known, inspired creativity and expression.

During lockdown, she never complained, despite desperately craving the social gatherings she so much enjoyed, and missing hugs from loved ones. Her grandchildren would visit when possible and entertain her with music and song. She was so very proud of her family.

Anna in her glamourous 20’s Anna Gammond was clearly a driving force in our community. She has been described by her granddaughter, Sophie as “over and above”. This seems to have been the case in everything, whether it was the warm welcome she bestowed on visitors, her involvement in local groups or her dedication to her pupils during her teaching career. Anna spent her entire teaching career at St. Ignatius, Sunbury, retiring in 1988 after 25 years service.

She also helped found Shepperton Care and manned the phones for many years. She was very much a part of village life.

She and husband Peter moved to Shepperton when they started a family, living first in Glebeland Gardens, then at Craven Cottage off Russell Rd. Anna was an enthusiastic member of the Rotary Freewheelers, and To advertise call Monica on 07979 808991

I am honoured to have met Anna in writing this piece but I feel robbed that I was not able to spend time with her in life.

Anna with grandson Oli at Prezzo 15

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Support Local Dad in Charity Run When local resident Scott Chandler bought his puppy Mabel in May 2018, little did he know it would result in a place in the Great South Run. Scott explains “I used to walk Mabel around London Irish and regularly saw the Park Run taking place on SaturScott with Mabel day mornings.

That inspired me to firstly walk quicker and then gradually start to jog parts of my daily walks.

Eventually I got to the point of taking part in Park Run, minus Mabel of course!”

Bad luck for Scott though, when one of his business partners, Mark Coombes, entered him into the Great South Run for October 2020! The pandemic cancelled the run that year of course, but Scott is now preparing to attempt the 10 mile challenge on October 17th. “ I had never thought of doing anything more than the Park Run to be honest but when Mark suggested we do the run together, I had no option but to say yes, particularly considering the charity we are supporting and the story behind it” “We are hoping to raise money for the Brompton Hospital in West London. It’s a place pretty close to my heart” says Scott.

“We lost our baby son, Samuel, in September 2002, whilst he was at the Brompton. Now our friends George and Paris Morris are there themselves with their son Dexter.”

This is Dexters story in the words of his mother: “Dexter’s journey with the Royal Brompton began when he was just three weeks. He had already had surgery and he had now had an Ileostomy. Biopsy results and genetics testing showed him to have Cystic Fibrosis.

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adulthood. The Brompton foundation have supported the whole family since that day.

Back in March, Dexter fell very ill and needed emergency surgery. On April 22nd we were told the unthinkable; Dexter had become unstable in surgery and wasn’t responding to medication to save him. We were told to invite our family to say their goodbyes and be beside us for support during his final hours. But he fought back and pulled through.

The Brompton Foundation are a charity supporting children and their families who have been given a heart or lung diagnosis. This organisation ensured we could be close to Dexter at his weakest, whilst still being able to be with Darcie (his sister). They provided us with accommodation throughout, as well as lots of fun days out!

Dexter will continue to visit the Brompton, but, after a long heartbreaking journey, he is actually home!

His care continues.

He requires all his nutrition and fluids intravenously, via a line close to his heart. But this little fighter is thriving!

The charity has helped us be close at a time we felt soTh far apart, and helped us all still gr smile, even on our Ev bad days!”

Ru

Little Dexter Morris If you can help Scott Ba Chandler on his way, ne and raise some much needed money for this great r charity please makeG your donation at

justgiving.comca and search for paris-morris no

Oc “ th e ed sa su www.villagematters.co.uk “W Ho

Go Scott!!!

History Matters!

We are very excited to be a part of this fantastic new publication.

To mark the 70th anniversary of the Sunbury & Shepperton Local History Society, as well as the 10th anniversary of Sunbury & Shepperton Matters, we have joined forces to create this fabulous book.

Whenever we are contacted by readers (which is quite often), they inevitably praise the articles on local history. Nick Pollard has been contributing articles to our publications since we first launched.

This book, History Matters - Sunbury & Shepperton - An Anniversary Collection, comprises many of those articles in one place. What a great present it will make! Nick Pollard comments: “: ‘We are delighted to launch this publication with Sunbury & Shepperton Matters to celebrate our joint anniversaries. Our experience is that people are fascinated by the history of the area in which they live, and we hope this book will stir memories for some and be a new window into the past for others” With many photographs from the vast archive of the Sunbury & Shepperton Local History Society, it is bound to be of great interest to anyone who has lived or who lives in this area.

The book will be launched at the autumn exhibition of the SSLHS at Squire’s on October 2-3.

With a retail price of only £5 it is an absolute bargain! You can also pick up a copy at the monthly SSLHS meetings or via the website www.sslhs.org.uk .

You can even email me and I will forward your request: monica@villagematters.co.uk

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Tackling the Beginnings of Tackling Beginnings of Mental Health the Issues in Our Children Mental Health Issues in Our Children

By Rory Edwards

By Rory Edwards

Rory Edwards is a local parent, teacher of 28 years a school Heteacher offers of us 28 an Rory and Edwards is a governor. local parent, insight into certaingovernor. dilemmasHe parents years and a school offers might us an face throughout the school year.parents might insight into certain dilemmas Iface started writingthethis article throughout school year.just before the school term had started and then INSETthe at I started writing this article justanbefore school on term had started then an the INSET at school mental health and confirmed advice on mental confirmed the advice Ischool had given.

Thehealth presenter* is much more I had given.

The health presenter* much qualified in mental issuesisthan I ammore so I qualified mental than Imarks. am so I have usedinher wordshealth belowissues in speech have words belowthe in speech In theused pasther few months, issue ofmarks. mental In the has pastbeen few seen months, issuesporting of mental health withthe some hehealthSimone has been seen with out some sportingat heroes: Biles pulling of events the roes: Simone pullingtaking out of aevents the Olympics andBiles Ben Stokes breakatfrom Olympicscricket and Ben StokesFor taking from England duties. me aasbreak a teacher, England cricket duties.

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The reason I have control as a teacher.

The reason I have started writing about mental health so early in the writing about health so early in you the academic year mental is because I hope to give academic year is because I hope to give you some strategies before a small problem besome strategies before a small problem becomes comes aa much much bigger bigger issue. issue.

By your children children will will By the the time time you you read read this, this, your have been at school for about a month.

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The Joy of Singing

The last 18 months has turned the world upside down for many people or at least given us all pause for thought. Career changes, new hobbies or revisiting old wish lists might well seem like familiar scenarios.

If joining a choir figured in your thinking, then Weybridge Male Voice Choir would love to meet you. We have been singing for 100 years and not even the latest pandemic can stop us.

We rehearse every Tuesday but have a commitment to perform and to raise funds for any charity that makes an approach. We sing locally, nationally and internationally and we sing both traditional and contemporary pieces including Queen, Oasis, Billy Joel and Snow Patrol.

So, if you find yourself singing in the shower, or whilst driving and you like the sound of a bigger stage then join us - you will be most welcome. We are a none audition choir, there is no need to have a musical background – the enjoyment of singing and making music is what we most value. In Johnny Kilhams we also have a young and enthusiastic Music Director. We all share the view that music and singing in particular is good for the soul, for our well-being and for our wider health.

We meet at St James’ Parish Centre in the centre of Weybridge every Tuesday evening and rehearse from 8pm – 10pm, often followed by a visit to the pub.

Call Carl Phillips for an initial chat – 07850 722379

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Local Capture

Thanks to this months contributors. Clockwise from top left, Pat Carter, Dolly Bains, Nichola Rose and Pat Carter again. Please email any photos for Local Capture to monica@villagematters.co.uk.

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Cartoons by Helen Turner of Shepperton Artists

Sudoku 4 8 1 7 2 7 5 4 4 8 7 2 3 6

9 3 8 4 3 9 2 6 7 4 1 3

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Sunbury Cross to get Makeover?

By Monica Chard

Sunbury Cross can start looking forward to a makeover.

Ideas under discussion include better lighting and visibility, making users feel safe. We need to encourage better use of Sunbury Cross, for pedestrians and cyclists. Currently, you may take your life in your hands walking through the underpass, with bikes screeching round the corners. Cycling is not permitted in the underpass, but that does not seem to deter some of the youngsters.

Spelthorne Council’s Neighbourhood Services has got their hands on some central government funding, aimed at improving access to businesses. This grant is part of the Welcome Back fund, following the impact of the pandemic on high street shopping. The council has access to a certain amount, but is conscious that Sunbury Cross will need more than a spruce up. It needs rethinking! It needs corporate funding to really make a difference.

Within the wider plan is the objective of active travel, getting people out of their cars and using alternative transport, ie walking and cycling. But the subways under Sunbury Cross are a real barrier to encouraging this.

A meeting at the underpass brought up some

initial ideas. Standing at the intersection of the underpass, it was noisy and dim. Youths zipped past on bikes and when challenged and the ‘no cycling’ sign pointed out, the response was “I thought that meant you could cycle”. A cheeky reply maybe, but perhaps signage needs to be clearer. Lines of site need to be clearer certainly, and I suggested that better chicane barriers might deter the speeders!

One of the suggestions to encourage better light was topping the trees, a poor idea in my opinion. This area is renowned for bad air.

We need the trees. We need MORE trees! We need more greenery in the area of the underpass. So how about a living walls.

S m I a n C y How about mirrored surfaces giving better t light and sight?

Talking of which, there are plans for better r CCTV in the area to deter antisocial behaviour. If a place is attractive enough, surely we t would have pride in it? Maybe this ugly underpass could be transformed with a local art s project. Something that would get people actually WANTING to visit to admire it. This civic pride would make all the difference.

We look forward to hearing about developments and to sharing the plans with you.

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S v e t c p c s t c W t u c

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Burlington Walks for Purple Angels

On Friday 10th September, residents, families and team members of The Burlington Care Home, Shepperton participated in a sponsored walk, in honour of the inspirational Captain Sir Tom Moore.

Despite the variable weather, we had an excellent turnout and many were happy to walk in the drizzle and some bought out the umbrellas. Luckily the sun also came out!

Many residents stared training and walking laps to prepare before the event. Everybody that participated had a brilliant time. One of our residents commented that this event made her walk which is not something she usually does and she thoroughly enjoyed herself! Most residents did several laps more than their original target around the garden.

One resident sang all the way round three times, saying it helped to distract him from walking such a long distance! One other resident she could have continued walking but because the event finished, she was due to have her lunch!

There was huge determination, inspired by Captain Sir Tom Moore throughout The Burlington Community. Residents, families and team members all completed the event with big smiles all around, feeling proud of their achievements. Some well-deserved refreshments were enjoyed by all thereafter!

The team raised in excess of £872 in aid of Purple Angels, a local charity supporting people with dementia and their families in Spelthorne.

The Sassy Apron Bakery

Fresh coffee and Cakes Deli Catering Sandwiches Vegan & Gluten Free options always available 39 Thames street, Sunbury 07951 199288

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Music Nights Return to Cricket Club Friday 8th October

It’s been a long and frustrating time, but at last Sunbury Music Club is able to welcome you all back to Music Nights at Sunbury Cricket Club.

The first Music Night at the Club for eighteen months is on FRIDAY 8TH OCTOBER with a gig featuring the Club’s house band THE CHAIN GANG, which normally performs at the annual Mayor’s Charity Night but in this case will be raising money to help fund muchneeded improvements to the Club’s patio area.

I l y C T m on stage around 8.30 or shortly thereafter.

With Covid now very much a fact of life, a developments will be carefully monitored developments over the weeks, but the hope is C that the relative normality that has returned will continue uninterrupted and that those who t have been starved of ‘live’ music in Sunbury c for a long while will feel confident enough to come along for a really good night out. n Put FRIDAY 8 OCTOBER in your diary.

TH

This seemed like a good way to test the water after a long break and kick things off with a bang. All the musicians are very keen to get back playing again and as always when playing at the Club will be giving their services free, so that all the money taken on the door will go to the Club.

The line-up features the familiar array of talented musicians associated with the Club, with members of top local bands like Matrix, The Marshall Taylor Band, Stan Bland Band, and the newly-revived Butterscotch, and we’re delighted to welcome back Karl Green, original bass player with Herman’s Hermits and former long-time Sunbury resident.

There will be a menu of hot food available from about 7pm, prepared by the Club’s excellent caterers from the Surplus To Supper charity based at the Club, and the band will be Please mention Sunbury Matters when responding to adverts

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The club is very much looking forward to it, so get ready to party!

If you would like to be added to the mailing list to receive e-mails about future Music Nights at Sunbury Cricket Club, please e-mail paulwatts1946@googlemail.com.

(Phone enquiries 07976 334482)

THE CHAIN GANG at SUNBURY CRICKET CLUB, Lower Hampton Road, TW16 5PS Friday 8th October £10.00 on the door www.villagematters.co.uk

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Recipe of the Month Pumpkin Pie

The perfect Halloween treat...with no tricks Preparation time: 40 minutes Cooking time: 1 hour 40 minutes + chilling time Serves: 8 Ingredients 750g pumpkin or butternut squash, peeled, deseeded, and cut into chunks 350g sweet shortcrust pastry (make your own or buy ready-made) 140g caster sugar ½ tsp salt ½ tsp fresh nutmeg, grated 1 tsp cinnamon 2 eggs, beaten 25g butter, melted 175ml milk 1 tbsp icing sugar

bake for a further 10 mins until the base is pale golden and biscuity. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly.

Method Place the chopped pumpkin into a large saucepan, cover with water and bring to the boil. Cover with a lid and simmer for 15 mins or until tender. Drain and allow to cool. The final colour of your pumpkin filling will depend on the colour of the squash you choose. Some have a more yellow flesh, like butternut squash and others like the winter squash have a much more orange flesh. They will both taste equally good!

Increase oven temperature to 220C/200C fan/ gas 7. Push the cooled pumpkin through a sieve into a large bowl to make a puree. In a separate bowl, combine the sugar, salt, nutmeg and half the cinnamon. Lightly beat together the eggs, melted butter and milk, then add to the pumpkin purée and mix well. Pour the mixture into the tart shell and bake for 10 minutes, Reduce the temperature to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and continue to bake for 35-40 mins until the filling has just set.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool before removing the pie from the tin. You can Mix the remaining cinnamon with the icing Preheat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Roll sugar and dust over the pie or decorate in a out the pastry on a lightly floured surface and suitably spooky style. use it to line a 22cm loose-bottomed flan tin.

Chill for 15 mins. Line the pastry with baking parchment and baking beans, then bake for 15 mins. Remove the beans and parchment, then Please mention Sunbury Matters when responding to adverts

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The Spelthorne and Runnymede Drama Festival 2021 will be back at Riverside Arts Centre between October 19 – 23rd with Paul Fowler returning as Adjudicator.

It will be wonderful to watch live performances again. There will be up to ten one act plays during the week competing for the various trophies.

Last year, the festival fell prey to Lockdown, so a ‘virtual’ festival was organised to take its place. This proved to be incredibly popular and is therefore being repeated to run alongside the main on-stage entries.

The Spelthorne and Runnymede Festival is one of the oldest for One Act plays in the country. It has been running for over 60 years.

Originally known as the Spelthorne Drama Festival, it took place in Staines Town Hall under the chairmanship of Frank Augur. After the closure of the Town Hall it moved to Magna Carta School. And finally in 2000 settled at Riverside Arts Centre in Sunbury, where it has become a regular and popular event in the Arts Centre calendar.

We are now affiliated to the National Drama

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Festival Association, giving the winners the chance to be selected to enter the British All Winners Festival. Several past entries have gone forward and Runnymede Drama Group and Back to Front Theatre won the overall national festival.

So many committed people over the years have worked to make this Festival the success it is today. Sheila Ritchie, Chairman since 1999 has encouraged a relaxed, friendly atmosphere bringing in entries from Wales, Bristol and Southampton as well as local groups. The experienced backstage and technical crews, and Front of House teams support the competitors and ensure that they, and the audience have a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

Come along during Festival Week to see for yourselves!

Further information and updates at www.spelthorneunneymedefestival.co.uk

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T v b r I e d t Pictured below the 2019 winners L s p a s T o c O F u Or email monica@villagematters.co.uk t

Benwell Phase 2 -Dying Trees of Great Concern to Neighbourhood Many residents have observed the appalling state of the area surrounding the recently opened Benwell Phase 1 building at the top of Green Street. Before opening, the council conducting ‘landscaping’ activities, which comprised cutting down hedges, bushes and shrubs, in fact cutting down most green things with the exception of the trees with TPO’s on them. These TPO protected trees however, will also be removed if the upcoming application for phase 2 is approved. With the exception of a small strip of turf, no planting of any type has been undertaken, Indeed the area has the appearance to anyone who visits, of being abandoned. This is a far cry from the ‘external landscaping’ benefit, which the Spelthorne Bulletin would have you believe we residents of the neighbourhood enjoy!

It would seem more than coincidental that shortly after this major clearance and completion of building activities, a number of the protected trees have started to die. Residents have sought an independent opinion of a tree surgeon, while waiting for an investigation by the council tree officer. Residents hope that the results of this investigation will be available before the planning committee meets again. Some of these dying trees are listed as providing vital screening in the application for the very unpopular Phase 2. Without them, the visual impact of the building on neighbours will be even worse than currently indicated on the application! The application is likely to be included for decision in the October committee meeting so there is still time to object: : tinyurl.com/benwellcomment written by local residents

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Notes from Riverside Arts Centre At last we are seeing something like normality back at the Riverside and already we have staged various live events.

We have several more in the coming weeks; the last few performances of Zodiac’s colourful song and dance show, more jazz, a quiz, the sponsored piano playathon plus the week-long competitve drama festival. That is selection of what you can come and see, but in what can you participate ? There are so many activities that you can enjoy in comfortable air-condtioned surrounding. Whether you want to learn a new skill, improve your ability, exercise your mind or your body or relax there will be an activity or group that you can join.A list of these and contact details is on our Riverside presents..... advertisement on page 19 in this magazine or check out our website.

How about?...

Learning a new musical instrument or brush up your skills which may have laid dormant since school days. Or perhaps you want to just play along with other experienced musicians. Whether you want to blow it, pluck it, or caress its keyboard we probably have a group for you.

Similarly for the artists we can offer all Please mention Sunbury Matters when responding to adverts

44

levels of expertise or media. From beginners to award winning artists, all have an outlet at Riverside, with the opportunity to specialise in oils, water-clopurs, acryllics, portraiture, icons, or caligraphy etc.

Our flower club meets to appreciate the beauty and scents of floral arrangements with demonstrations and workshops. If you want to move with your music there are all sorts of dance possibilities; for adults, children and even toddlers. Aerobics, ballroom, ballet barre, or zumba.

Maybe you need to exercise your brain or your body. To keep the brain-cells in trim there is an active poetry appreciation society; as well as a book circle who regularly have visits from well-known authors. For the body and the more energetic we have keep-fit or Pilates, and then offering well-being for both body and mind there is Yoga. The performing arts are very active with drama, musical theatre, pantomime and youth theatre groups.

Some of our groups are of very high standard and others offer a more social atmosphere enjoying the subject of your choice. There is something for everybody at every level. Perhaps you just like pottering around doing a bit of DIY, or helping in the bar. There is certainly an outlet for you in helping to maintain our volunteer run Arts Centre. Whatever you fancy doing, you can do it this winter at the Riverside.

Riverside Arts Centre

57/59 Thames Street, Sunbury TW16 5QF 07796 531427

www.riversidearts.co.uk info@riversidearts.co.uk Registered charity 272929

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s q p f c

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Local Culture is Alive and Well

Haven’t we missed live performances?! The restrictions of lockdowns have made us realise how much we took for granted.

I consider myself lucky to have attended the first of the Riverside Arts Centre Showcase come back events recently. This afternoon tea concert featured Mengyang Pan (pictured), a pianist of international class and renown. She has collaborated with top conductors such as Ashkenazy, presented with the Tagore gold medal by HRH Prince Charles, the highest honour possible. She has been presented to the Queen for her contribution to music and art. And here she was performing at the Riverside Arts Centre! Look out for further concerts: www.ticketsource.co.uk/riversidepresents, and also the listings in this magazine.

We also attended a performance at a new theatre. This time in Esher. Esher Theatre only opened in September and is just by the council offices, with easy parking. Have a look at what’s on at eshertheatre.com. In November they are putting on RC Sherriff’s ‘Journey’s End’.

Esher Theatre is at Community Walk. Esher, KT10 9RA. Tel 07794 362 999.

Finally, remember the Riverhouse Barn just over Walton Bridge. I attended a lunch time concert there recently. Stunning music. Book in advance but the request is to leave a mindful donation.

Details at riverhousebarn.co.uk. The next lunchtime concert is October 13th at 1pm.

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LoSRA Says Housing Need and the Green Belt

Few subjects have been the cause of greater consternation, confusion (and occasionally suspicion) in recent years than the Council's position in relation to housing need and the proposed development of certain parcels of green belt.

In answer to a question at a recent meeting of the full Council, Cllr. Ian Beardsmore, Chairman of the Environment and Sustainability Committee and a member with vast experience in planning, stated: "Prior to the Government’s requirement for local authorities to utilise the standard method to calculate housing need, there was no set methodology for assessing housing needs and local authorities were instead required to produce their own methodology. In 2015, Spelthorne produced its Strategic Housing Market Assessment which inputted various local factors to determine Spelthorne’s objectively assessed housing need, including household growth projections, migration, and affordability. This identified a housing need of between 552-757 dwellings per annum.

The local housing need figure derived from the standard method (currently 611 dwellings per annum) falls within this range, therefore it can be expected that an alternative methodology is likely to produce a similar figure.

"Planning Practice Guidance states that where an alternative approach is used, this will be subject to close scrutiny at examination and the local authority will need to demonstrate how they face extraordinary challenges to justify the approach. Spelthorne is subject to many planning constraints that affect a large number of authorities in the South East, for example Green Belt and flood risk in combination. As such, there are not considered to be extraordinary challenges to justify a different approach to calculating housing need once the Local Plan is examined by the Planning Inspectorate. Those few authorities that have attempted to utilise a lower housing number To advertise call Monica on 07979 808991

since the introduction of the standard methodology have failed, for example Sevenoaks and Chiltern & South Bucks. The number of Local Plans withdrawn or found unsound in 2020 was the highest in six years, highlighting the importance of having a sound strategy to guide development."

To illustrate his point, Cllr. Beardsmore gave three examples: Firstly, [In June] in Hertfordshire a predatory developer obtained planning permission to build100 houses in a farmer’s field. It was opposed by the authorities concerned because the site was designated Green Belt land. At the enquiry the planning inspector, allowing the appeal, found the authorities were seriously behind on meeting their housing need and did not have an up to date, valid, local plan. It is a very scary judgement that has sent shockwaves through local authorities. Spelthorne is an authority that is also behind on meeting housing delivery targets and does not have a local plan in place to tackle the shortfall.

Secondly, in Hertfordshire again, the planning inspector wrote to the authority and said in very blunt terms, that if the authority did not release enough Green Belt to satisfy the shortfall in housing provision by 17 September 2021 he would declare their plan unsound.

Thirdly, [and just recently], Spelthorne received the judgement on The Bugle site. The Inspector has allowed 31 houses to be built on this Green Belt site, which Spelthorne strongly opposed. In simple terms everyone who said you cannot build on Spelthorne’s Green Belt have been proved wrong.

Collectively, and notwithstanding a possible government climbdown, these three rulings are a clear hardening of the Government's position in their drive to build more housing regardless of the views of local residents and local authorities or the cost in Green Belt. We would be wise to heed these warnings however distasteful we find them.

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rtisecal Monicaon079 80 9 1 Our staff are all observing the government health and safety guidelines to keep customers safe

Sunbury Sunbury Beat Beat By ByInspector InspectorMaxine MaxineCilia Cilia

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Early Sunbury Phone Numbers Sparks Interest

Following Nick Pollard’s article in the September 2021 issue of Sunbury Matters, we received an interesting email from reader Richard Wood. He was intrigued by reference to the telephone number of the Sunbury bank as Sunbury 4. He commented “I was a plumber until retirement and many years ago I removed a lid over a cold water tank. This also had an early telephone number: Sunbury 15,please see photo.

If you look very carefully under the word ‘Builder’ Billy Broom has written his name in pencil!

The hole at the top of the lid, is where the hot water vent pipe came through, when it was the lid on the cold water tank”.

Richard finishes with the request for information about who or which businesses had the early telephone numbers. If you know, or have any information, do get in touch. Email me and we can follow this up in a future issue: monica@villagematters.co.uk. Thank you!

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Electric Vehicle Charging Points in Lower Sunbury Great to hear about this pilot scheme to bring Elective Vehicle (EV) charging points to our borough. Spelthorne is being given an allocation of 20 to be rolled out as a trial and 4 will be stationed in Lower Sunbury. So far so good.

We are told that electric is the way forward, using cleaner energy and therefore good in tackling climate change.

However, the chosen sites for these charging stations are causing local residents, not to mention the shop keepers, a certain amount of stress. As things stand, the chosen site for the trial in Lower Sunbury is Avenue Parade. As an average charge may take 2-3 hours, this means vehicles will be taking up prime parking spaces outside shops which need the quick turn around to encourage shoppers. Furthermore, the spaces will be for Electric Vehicles ONLY, so if you park in it and you are not EV, then you stand the chance of getting a parking ticket.

Why not allocate 4 spaces in the Orchard Meadow car park instead? That seems a much more sensible option. With the roll out expected in November, it is worth asking your local councillor about getting them moved somewhere more practical, before it is too late!

Chartered Surveyor Building Surveys, Home Buyers Reports and Valuations for all non lending purposes 40 years local experience Nickcobbmrics@gmail.com

07876208359

www.nickcobbsurveyor.co.uk

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Everyone at Sherwood Vets would like to thank you for all your patience, support and understanding during what has been a very difficult year, as we tried to continue providing the sort of care and attention for your pets that you have come to expect from us.

Now that most of the restrictions have been lifted we can return to offering you our full range of services, including vaccinations and routine surgeries, all within a Covid-safe environment to help protect the safety of yourselves and our staff.

Please give us a call or send us an email if you would like to make an appointment.

Wishing you and your animals the very best of health.

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SCAM WATCH - The Time for Website Reviews by Bill Cunningham

There are reviews and there are reviews! Statement of the obvious of course.

If we look at the real genuine ones first then maybe we should establish at which point in the reviewed transaction that they were written. Simply, is the 5 star related to before or after the deal has been struck.

Written from experiences later down the line or before then.

There are search sites that can point us at any product. If we look for say a car dealer, then on the dealer’s web site may well be a large number of reviews and all genuine wall to wall (or nearly) 5 stars. In the real world, very few sellers of anything have 100% excellent ratings. Even if they deserve top marks, someone will have a gripe about something, Relevant or not. Deserved or not.

So if we see blue sky reporting with stars all over it, then timing may be key. We search for a car dealer and we are led to one whose star rating is very impressive. We contact the vendor and are treated very well, all questions answered promptly and courteously and, well, treated as we’d hope as a potential purchaser.

Within a very short period we are then approached by the search engine to rate our experience. So what do we give the potential seller? 5 stars, more than likely. He might even have offered to come water our garden and cut our grass! That nice!

We eventually buy the car and alas all doesn’t quite turn out as we’d hoped. Things go wrong and the warranty didn’t quite cover the unforeseen event. Things didn’t quite get resolved promptly to our satisfaction. In fact too many things for comfort.

But how come the 5 star ratings. Well; timing is key.

For car purchase consider https://www.rmif.co.uk/en/membership/find-a-member For any product we should simply be sceptical about reviews, but going to the web site of a trade organisation should give a real picture.

And to pick say a trader to provide a roof repair service or kitchen install etc, then we can with confidence in quality of service by visiting https://www.traders4U.co.uk. All the businesses listed on this website have been vetted and approved by Trading Standards to ensure that they operate in a legal, honest and fair way.

We all want to avoid the rogue traders exposed on TV programmes for the consequential damage that they

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In

Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines and Visiting Guidance still in place at Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals In line with national guidance, our infection prevention control guidelines and hospital visiting guidance remain in place for all staff and visitors in order to prevent Covid 19 transmission within our hospitals.

Across our hospital sites, there has been no change to our current Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures or visiting restrictions. We continue to maintain best IPC practice across all areas of the hospital sites, not just wards and clinics, in line with national guidance.

Staff, patients, and visitors will be expected to continue to follow social distancing rules when visiting any care setting as well as using face coverings, mask, and other personal protection equipment. You can help by ensuring that you help play your part when visiting NHS and care settings to help protect our staff and patients, particularly those who may be more vulnerable to infections.

As a Trust, we are supporting the national #NotTooMuchToMask campaign which aims to encourage us all to continue to be cautious, despite lockdown and legal restrictions being lifted. The campaign focuses on asking everyone to continue to wear facemasks when in public, maintain good hand hygiene, keep areas well ventilated and to meet outside where possible, to undertake contract tracing and of course to take up the offer of both doses of the vaccination.

We are pleased to announce that whilst visiting restrictions are still in place, we are now enabling some visiting at St Peter’s, which is being managed in a controlled manner.

Any patients who have a registered carer may have a daily visit of up to 1 hour. This includes the patient groups of learning difficulties and severe dementia. Remaining Adult inpatients may have 3 visits per week for 1 hour and this will be one visitor To advertise call Monica on 07979 808991

only per session, but it can be a different person each time. No children or babies will be allowed.

Children’s wards, maternity, A&E and ITU are managing the situation locally as highlighted in our roadmap, see roadmap picture above or visit our website for further information www.ashfordstpeters@nhs.net If you would like to visit, please book a timeslot via our visitors booking line -01932 723318. This is a dedicated telephone line and will be manned Monday to Friday between 9.30am - 4pm and Saturday and Sunday between 10am - 4pm. If you need to book a visit outside of these hours, please call the ward directly.

To visit Wordsworth and Chaucer wards at Ashford Hospital please contact the wards directly. Alternatively, if you’d like to enquire about a loved one please phone 01784 884488.

This situation will be constantly reviewed and further visiting changes may occur depending on Covid incidence within our community and also transmission rates.

We would like to thank all patients and visitors for their support, patience, and cooperation in adhering to these restrictions and measures.

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Or email monica@villagematters.co.uk

Invitation to play in a ‘Playathon’ for Riverside Arts Centre Arts venues throughout the country have been severely hit by Covid. We need to do everything we can to support them and ensure their future.

In Sunbury we are hosting a special AUTUMN MUSIC PLAYATHON to benefit Riverside, on Friday October 29th and Saturday October 30th, in 6 sessions, 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. each day. YOUNG and ADULT musicians are cordially invited to perform their pieces in a real theatre on a grand piano. Soloists, ensembles and parent-child groups are welcome, as are jazzy, classical and other pieces. There will be bar service in the evenings, afternoon refreshments, and your name on the printed programme.

To sign up, please email Helen on helenheslop10@gmail.com with ‘Playathon’ in the subject line.

RAC is registered charity 292929. The Playathon funding link is https://www.gofundme.com/f/rac-playathon-oct-2930-2021.

Puzzle Solutions 4 5 9 8 3 2 1 6 7

8 3 1 7 6 9 2 5 4

2 6 7 5 4 1 9 8 3

5 1 2 4 8 7 3 9 6

6 4 3 1 9 5 8 7 2

7 9 8 3 2 6 5 4 1

9 7 4 2 5 3 6 1 8

3 8 6 9 1 4 7 2 5

Solution to October Sudoku

To advertise call Monica on 07979 808991

58

Or email monica@villagematters.co.uk

1 2 5 6 7 8 4 3 9

PATRICK STONE Clean & Efficient Vacuum Chimney Sweeping Service Oil & solid Fuel Flue Cleaning

A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHIMNEY SWEEPS

0208 979 1670 Mobile 07733 895213 38 WESTON AVE, WEST MOLESEY KT8 1RG

To advertise call Monica on 07979 808991

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Or email monica@villagematters.co.uk

Tree Wor k

• Pruning, Felling & Reducing • Reshaping & Thinning • Hedge Maintenance • 24 Hour Emergency Service • Dangerous Tree Removal • Stump grinding • Neighbouring Tree & Hedge Issues • Operated wood-chipper hire • River tree work workboat available • Seasoned logs delivered. Log splitting

Contact Clive:

01932 886524 or 07941 031759 (Eves) surreyarborist@gmail.com Please mention Sunbury Matters when responding to adverts

or 01252 515023 60

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Gardening Matters Time to Tidy!

By Rachael Leverton

weeds, which have flourished in the autumn sunshine. Then you can mulch using compost or leaf mould. Mulching helps to protect the more tender plants while improving the structure of the soil and generally making things look neater. Make a layer around 3-4cms deep but don’t cover the centre crown of any plants.

Types of organic mulch Compost Bark Grass cuttings Composted manure Newspaper Shredded Leaves Straw

By October the garden can look a little tired: perennials collapse, leaves die back, and there’s debris everywhere. It can only mean one thing, clean up time.

Cut Peonies, Leucanthemum, Nepeta, Delphiniums, Hardy Geraniums, and Phlox back to ground level, but leave anything with ornaBy Oct mental seed heads such as poppies, Alliums, perenni and grasses. When the first frosts hit these plants will gain a new lease of life and add there’s some sparkly architectural beauty to the garone thin den.

Leave more delicate perennials such as PenCut Peo stemons with the top growth in place to prophinium vide some winter protection. You can cut to grou them back in the spring just before new growth occurs. mental Herbaceous perennials can be divided now gra and moved around to fill gaps inand the border.

Perennials can become congested and tired, plants w and flower less as they age. Dig up the clump so me sp and break it up with a sharp spade, selecting den. the best, newer chunks from the outside to replant. The dying centre of the Lea plant can be ve m composted. Most plants need to be divided stemo n every three to five years but some more vigorous varieties like Achillea require it more vide so often and others. The exception is Peonies, them ba which hate any kind of disturbance. Leave gro wth them alone.

Once the borders are cleared andHerbac plants have been relocated, it’s time to get rid of any To advertise call

and mo Perenni Monica on 07979 808991 Or email monica@villagematters.co.uk and flo 61

Index of Advertisers Bakery/Deli The Sassy Apron 29 Beauty/Aesthetics Facial Body Sculpt 31 Care/Nursing Homes Rivermede Court 12 The Burlington 28 Sunbury Nursing 35 Parklands Manor 51 Care at Home Visiting Angels 55 Alina 22 Car services Chipsaway 59 Carpenter George Scott Woods 58 Chartered Surveyor Nick Cobb 52 Children’s Activities Aquarius 7 Spelthorne Gym’stics 6 Chimney Sweep HC Chimneys 54 Patrick Stone 59 Chiropodist Rod Littlewood 10 Computer Services My PC Helper 46 Curtains/Blinds Decorama 53 Decorator SJ Harris 29

Dog Walking/Care Health & Wellbeing Windows Fun on 4 Paws 10 FBS 31 House of Surrey 48 Bakery/ Equity Release Insurance Village Windows 53 The Harvest Financial 56 Aston Lark 18Sass Novaglass 64 Estate Agent/Property Kitchens Beauty/A Curchods 40/41 Ashford Kitchens 5 Facial B Pharmacy/Walk in Dexters 32/33 Care/Nu Trio Pharmacy 50 EweMove 2 Plumber Plan & Design 45 Riverme Pete Game 59 Churchill Homes 14 The Bur Pubs Events The Flower Pot 23 Riverside Presents 19 Sunbury Roofing Holiday Inn 27 Parkland Platinum Roofing 56 Landmark Arts Fair 17 Aldridge Roofing 52 at Esher TheatreCare 13 Roy’s Roofing Ltd 38 Florist Visiting Schools/Education Van Wonderen 21 Alina Springfield 8 Floor Care/Restore Thamesmead 8 serv Pro Floor Restore 56 Car Halliford School 63 Footcare Sell Stuff for Cash Mary Judge Chipsaw 29 JC Stamps 20 Funeral Services Carpent Shutters Alan Greenwood 37 George S Decorama 53 Garden Services Charter Taxi Service Lawnmaster 60 VA Cars 52 Capability Clark 60 Nick Co Vet Surrey Arborist 60 Children Sherwood Vets 53 Gifts Wedding Venues LSA Outlet Shop 25 Aquarius Hazelwood 11 Gutters Spelthor Will Writing Star Guttering 52 Harvest Wills 46 GutterPro Chimne 59

November Issue Deadline: Oct 15th monica@villagematters.co.uk Or call

07979 808991 Or now book online

www.villagematters.co.uk

HC Chim Your Local Mags Ad Prices Patrick S (Sunbury) Chiropo Sunbury Matters (Ex VAT) Rod Litt Shepperton Matters Comput Molesey Matters 1/8 £35 My PC H Walton Matters Quarter £60 Curtain Half £110 Decoram Call 07979 808991 and Full £195 speak to Monica Decorat Discount on block bookings monica@villagematters.co.uk SJ Harri

No

Disclaimer: Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy of the information included in this publication, neither the publisher nor the editorial contributors can accept any liability to any party for loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. Village Matters does not endorse any advertising material included in this publication. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval systems or transmitted in any form without prior permission of the publisher.

Please mention Sunbury Matters when responding to adverts

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De

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Please mention Sunbury Matters when responding to adverts

Please mention Sunbury Matters when responding to adverts

www.vil agematters.co.uk 64

www.villagematters.co.uk