Just June Trips and Events

By Monica Jones

When we first launched Shepperton Matters, over 10 years ago, I remember meeting June Barnard, when she was running Shepperton Ladies, a group she is still involved in. She had invited me to the unveiling of a bench at Renfree Corner that her group had donated to the community. Well, nothing stops June! For the past 20 years she has been enhancing life in the community. Her latest group is called Just June Trips and Event. She tells me “When we went into lockdown in March 2020, all my trips were cancelled. So I set about keeping people in touch. I wrote monthly newsletters keeping them up to date with travel issues. I also made 3000 phone calls phoning people who regularly came on my coach trips and holidays, making sure people were not lonely. It gave me a chance to talk about families and friends and get to know them all”. June also found she could help by putting them in touch with people she knew would help with what they needed. She enjoyed connecting people who could help each other, including local traders. So in fact June’s social group has gone from strength to strength and she has enjoyed being able to organise trips once more. No sooner had May 17th 2021 arrived, the date we could start holidays, a group of 48 set off for a 5 day break in Lytham St Annes, all Covid Compliant. Since then June has organised many day trips, and weekend breaks. She has done wonders in terms of bringing some normality to the lives of people of Shepperton and the surrounding areas. People who may have been isolated for months have enjoyed a social life once again and made new friends. Just Junes Trips and Events is a social group of like minded people. In November and December June also arranged a couple of great trips for Purple Angels, the first trips they had had in many months. She hired luxury coaches and supported local companies. Looking forward to 2022 June has an exciting programme of day trips and holidays. “Everyone is looking forward to better times” says June. Events will start with a ‘Beat Winter Blues lunch and Entertainment’ at the newly refurbishes Holiday Inn in Shepperton. June does all this voluntarily. She says “My reward is smiles, hugs, lovely emails and friendship. No wonder than that June was awarded a Letter of Commendation by The Civic Award Trust in 2017for her continued services to the community.

If you want to get involved, June would be delighted to hear from you. Please contact

Just June Trips and Events 01932 563739 When we first launched Shepperton Matters, over 10 years ago, I remember meeting June Barnard, when she was running Shepperton Ladies, a group she is still involved in. She had invited me to the unveiling of a bench at Renfree Corner that her group had donated to the community. Well, nothing stops June! For the past 20 years she has been enhancing life in the community. Her latest group is called Just June Trips and Event. She tells me to trips were cancelled. So I set about keeping people in touch. I wrote monthly newsletters keeping them up to date with travel issues. I also made 3000 phone calls phoning people who regularly came on my coach trips and holidays, making sure people were not lonely. It gave me a chance to talk about families them all June also found she could help by putting 17 them in touch with people she knew would Or email monica@villagematters.co.uk help with what they needed. She enjoyed con-

We would like to wish everyone across our wards a very Happy New Year and hope that in 2022 we can all move forwards in a world that is post Covid-crisis. Spelthorne, like many other councils, is preparing it‘s updated Local Plan which will determine what can be built where and how across the borough for the next 15 years. These two wards are represented on the internal Task Group and we would like to reassure all our residents that your councillors are very clear about protecting our Green Belt for current and future generations.

SHEPPERTON STUDIOS EXPANSION It is now evident to all passing through Shepperton road the true extent of the Studios expansion work. We will continue to support residents by working with the Studios and our Residents Associations to mitigate the impact on residents wherever possible. The Studios expect to be able to complete the necessary works within a three-year period. To ease the strain of construction traffic in the local area during this time, the Studios have put a traffic routing plan in place so that traffic is shared between our villages. ECO PARK The County Council legal proceedings with the site contractor are ongoing. We continue to support residents with ongoing issues/concerns.

We were able to support Saxon School to replace the Forest School’s Fire Pit after it was stolen from school grounds, together with funds for additional learning material.

When a lifelong resident of Charlton Village passed away in the village the Residents wanted to plant a tree and place a bench in their local park, to remember her as the kind, strong and independent lady they all knew. We were very pleased to support them by contributing to the costs.

Dawson Youth Theatre, a local community group, were struggling with production costs for their “We Will Rock You” show, having been unable to raise funds in their usual way during the pandemic. We were able to support this group enjoyed by local young people.

In December the situation with visitors/workers at the Studios, parking their cars along Studios Road, along with construction traffic using the road, became a serious road safety matter for residents of the Studios Estate. I was able to act swiftly, initially with the support of Borough Council Officers, and now County Highways Officers, to have a Traffic Order put in place to restrict any vehicles parking the length of Studios Road. The order will remain in place, renewable monthly, until double yellow lines can be installed.

The feasibility study report is awaited. I will then, considering any recommendations, be taking the scheme forward. Hopefully this will be later this year, as a priority for Laleham.

SPEEDING Residents have been rightly concerned over speeding in two prominent roads in our ward, namely Green Lane and Russell Road. We have asked the police for this to be monitored and are pursuing other solutions, including liaising with our county councillor. ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR We are pleased to report that positive encounters with youths together with our support for youth activities have paid off with a reduction in disturbances, but we continue to monitor this area. PLANNING This presents many problems to residents when they are confronted with a development where they live which may impinge on their quality of life. We are always happy to advise anyone wishing to submit an objection to the council.

We value highly our opportunity to support the volunteers in local community groups for all they do for the community. Our latest grants support all sections and ages.

We are pleased to support Shepperton Cricket Club to provide a new base and nets which are vital in the development of batting and bowling skills. The sport not only provides good exercise but the discipline helps to mould the character of the young people whilst growing up to be good citizens.

Patients Participation Group ( PPG)- This new website is to improve communication between patients and the health centre. PPG members can take up any issues or ideas patients may have directly with the practice, as well as letting the public know any changes, together with details of support groups.

Men in Sheds offers men the opportunity to practice their skills – or indeed learn new ones– in an atmosphere of companionship. We were delighted to fund this clever gadget for joining sections of wood. The Shed welcomes personal requests from individuals as well as from community groups.

I have committed to residents to do all I can to reduce the speed of traffic passing through and within our Village. Surreys Highways Officers are working on possible re modelling for Laleham Road, Green Lane and Russell Road with a view to reducing traffic speeds. Once I have the recommendations, I will arrange a meeting in the Village to enable me to seek your views on what is proposed.