Sunbury Matters January 2023

We wish you a happy and healthy 2023. We have many challenges to contend with, and many will be struggling with the cost of living. Remember to look in on elderly neighbours and see that they are ok, or if they need help. You will see that St Mary’s have a charitable fund for those needing help with energy bills. Have a look on p36. Having heard about the dying swan population, we felt we should celebrate our beautiful local swans, so thanks to Bob Noble for the cover photo this month. We may have taken these beautiful creatures for granted, but the devastating avian flu is making us take

stock. According to the Kings Swan Marker, over 70 dead swans were recovered from the Thames in Windsor in just one weekend in December. What are your new years resolutions? We bring you some food for thought in this issue. Enjoy and we will see you next month.

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Front cover‘Swan’ by Bob Noble

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Shepperton in the Movies

By Nick Pollard

The huge extension to Shepperton Studios currently taking place is a reminder of the many films that have been made here over the years since it originally opened as ‘Sound City’ in 1932. The majority of films have been made within the confines of the studios, but quite often the local area has been used as a backdrop to the action. The earliest films using the village as a location were actually made in the silent era by Cecil Hepworth, a pioneer of British cinema whose studios were in Walton-on-Thames, where the road that now crosses the site is named after him. They included The Dog Outwits the Kidnapper’ (1908), which features Church Square and Russell Road, ‘Tilly the Tomboy visits the Poor’ (1910) which was set in Russell Road by the river, and an adaption of Dickens’ ‘Barnaby Rudge’ (1915) for which a large set was built in a field somewhere in the village.

Turning to films made by Sound City, in 1934 the River Ash, which then flowed through the studios but is now a public park, was used in the colonial-era epic ‘Sanders of the River’ starring Lesie Banks and Paul Robeson. An African village was built on the edge of the river and giant war canoes paddled along the Ash.

There was a hiatus in film production during the war, but afterwards a surge of new films made around the village included wartime drama ‘Cockleshell Heroes’ (1955) which made use of several locations including Old Charlton Road and watersplash, and the railway station. ‘Bond Of Fear ’ (1956), about a family held hostage by an escaped criminal, was made by Nettlefold Studios of Walton, which had taken over the Hepworth Studios, but nonetheless contained many scenes shot in Shepperton including Duppa’s Farm in

Russell Road and the former Anchor garage opposite the Church Square (now a car sales business). In the same year, crime thriller ‘The Long Arm’, starring Jack Hawkins, was filmed along the Towpath (presented as the main road into Shepperton) as well as around a bungalow by the lock which looks unchanged to this day.

In 1960 the popular radio comedy ‘The Navy Lark’ was made into a cinema film starring the late Leslie Phillips. Ferry Square and the adjacent boatyard (now the Warren Lodge Hotel extension) were transformed into a French fishing port! In 1970 the film version of ‘Dad’s Army’ featured Old Charlton Road and Littleton Church. Part of the attraction of all these old films is that they show parts of Shepperton which have changed dramatically in the intervening years – literally frozen in time.

‘Sailing on the Thames ’ by Mark Laity is the subject of the next meeting of the Sunbury and Shepperton Local History Society, on Tuesday 17th January (postponed from November) at Halliford School in Russell Road, Shepperton. The talk starts at 8pm and all are welcome. Admission £2 for non-members.

War canoes take to the River Ash in Shepperton for 'Sanders of the River'

Sunbury Christmas market

The Sunbury Christmas market was a great success again. Sadly we had a lot of last minute cancellations from stall holders due to illness and staffing. But there was plenty for everyone. The Lower Sunbury Business Community, which puts on the event, thanks you for coming. It was heart warming to visit Santa ’s Grotto at Laura’s Hair & Beauty and see how they created such a lovely space despite their recent incident. We would also like to thank the Salvation Army for their festive music, Buddhi Weerasinghe from Surrey County Council for paying for new Christmas lights in the parade and Paul and Matt from Platinum Roofing for putting them up. Also Andy Wilmott from Spelthorne Council who was there throughout and who provided signage, bins and marshalling. And of course to John Carey, whose eternal patience and optimism meant that we got the event over the finish line! Enjoy the photos.

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River Thames Scheme update

The River Thames Scheme (RTS) is being delivered in partnership between the Environment Agency and Surrey County Council. The Scheme is designed to unlock economic, health and environmental benefits for communities between Egham and Teddington. The River Thames between Egham and Teddington runs through one of the largest area of populated but undefended flood plain in England. In addition to the towns and villages in this area, the landscape has been heavily shaped by major infrastructure and extensive mineral workings. This has resulted in an area in which many homes and businesses are at risk of flooding, within a landscape which suffers from visual barriers and physical constraints which means the open space isn ’t used to its full potential.

improvements will be made to the Sunbury, Molesey and Teddington weirs. This includes installing more gates that can be opened when river levels rise and lowering the river bed downstream of the Desborough Cut.

The RTS represents a new landscape-based approach to creating healthier, more resilient, and more sustainable communities by responding to the challenges of flooding, improving access to green open spaces and sustainable travel routes, encouraging inclusive economic growth, and increasing biodiversity.

The River Thames Scheme will consist of a new river channel in two sections through Runnymede and Spelthorne, totalling over five miles long. These will act as a new flow route for excess water when water levels in the River Thames rise too high. Additionally,

The scheme will reduce the risk of flooding to homes, businesses, and infrastructure, while also providing habitat for wildlife and a new feature in the landscape for recreation. The channel will be flanked by new areas of public green open space, for recreation and spending time with nature. New footpaths and cycleways will run along the channel and through the new public spaces, linking different elements of the scheme with communities and providing better connections within and across the area. Areas of new and improved habitat for wildlife and nature recovery will connect with existing nature sites and wildlife corridors to provide a new nature recovery network along the length of the channel that supports even more biodiversity.

The goals that are going to be delivered include:

• Reduce the risk of flooding for dwellings, businesses, and infrastructure

• Improve access to quality green open spaces, connection with wildlife and more sustainable travel network

• Create a network of high -quality habitat and achieve biodiversity net gain

• Facilitate sustainable and inclusive economic growth

• Enable delivery and design that contribute to Environment Agency, Surrey County Council and partner climate goals relating to carbon use

During November and December of 2022, we were out consulting the public on our plans and asking for feedback on our proposals for the River Thames Scheme. We held ten faceto-face exhibition events and seven virtual events and spoke to over one thousand people with our technical experts on hand to answer any questions raised by the public.

During the first half of 2023 we will be reporting back on the feedback received during the consultation. This report will summarise the feedback received and will be made available to the public once ready. This will be published on the River Thames Scheme website: www.riverthamesscheme.org.uk

As the River Thames Scheme moves towards its Development Consent Order, a further public consultation is planned. This further consultation, proposed in late 2023, will share the latest proposals which have evolved following feedback to the 2022 consultation and give communities another opportunity to feed into the proposals before the Development Consent Order is submitted.

If you wish to find out more about the River Thames Scheme, please visit our website: www.riverthamesscheme.org.uk. You can also sign up to receive our newsletters and be kept up to date with news, such as future consultations.

We are now on social media so please give us a follow to keep up to date with events, progress and milestones:

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Exploding Myths about being a Foster Carer

By Barry Sutton

In May 2022 the Government published a Review of Children’s Care which identified a shortage of 9,000 Foster Homes to house children in need. That is a lot of children who are missing out on a caring home environment.

So why is there such a shortage? Well, if my experience is anything to go by it is due to inaccurate preconceptions about what being a foster carer involves – or rather what it does not involve. I live in Ashford and have been a foster carer for over four years. Had I been more knowledgeable about what was involved I may well have stepped forward ten years earlier to help families and children in difficult circumstances.

I find many people who say they would like to foster, but could not afford to do so. In reality fees and allowances are typically £20,000 per annum per child from most foster care agencies and this is tax free for the first child and in many cases the second also. More than enough to cover the associated costs of the child/children.

So do I foster “for the money”? Well the point is that I couldn’t afford to foster without the money and I would earn a lot more money if I didn’t foster!

So what are the other common misconceptions? Well, there are many and I couldn’t possibly cover them all in a short article such as this, but allow me to tackle a few.

Single people cannot be foster carers

NOT TRUE

Same sex couples cannot be foster carers NOT TRUE

There is an age limit to be a foster carer

NOT TRUE

Foster Carers are not paid NOT TRUE

Foster Carers have no say in which children come to their home NOT TRUE

Foster Carers have to give up work to be a

foster carer

NOT TRUE

Foster Carers cannot have holidays without taking foster children NOT TRUE

Foster Carers have to work for the Local Authority where they live NOT TRUE

Foster Carers cannot work part-time NOT TRUE

Being a Foster Carer is very easy and not hard work DEFINITELY NOT TRUE!

I would like to invite people who may want to find out more to contact me at fostercarerinformation@gmail.com or 07740 605909. Perhaps you just have a couple of questions, perhaps you would like to meet up for an informal chat. Perhaps you would like to meet up in a group with other people who are interested. Being a foster carer is not for everyone but before you decide it isn’t for you make sure that decision is based on the true picture. Maybe it is a case of no, not now, but you will have the knowledge to decide when it might be worth re-visiting.

Barry Sutton is a foster carer in Ashford

Photo Juan Pablo Serrano Arenas

1

3

7

Across

1 Scottish plaid (6)

4 Entice, coax (6)

9 Shape with many sides (7)

10 Circulate, deliver (5)

11 Grovel (5)

12 Spiky plant (7)

13 Calendar, schedule (6)

15 Despot, bully (6)

18 Touchable (7)

20 Scrutinise (5)

22 Pretended (5)

23 Teeming, jammed (7)

24 Victim, prey (6)

25 Delicate, fragile (6)

17 Instruct (5)

19 Provide for (5)

20 Leave bread to rise (5)

21 Sea-dwelling duck (5)

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Recognising dedicated volunteers

Do you know someone who should be recognised for dedicated voluntary service in the Borough of Spelthorne?

The Spelthorne Civic Award Trust was founded in 1983 by Mr Alf Goddard MBE to acknowledge the work of Spelthorne residents who have devoted their time to voluntary service in the Borough and we are inviting local residents and voluntary organisations to nominate individuals who have given a minimum of 12 years ’ service so that the Trustees can consider them for an award. Candidates do not have to live in the Borough but their work should have benefitted Spelthorne residents.

Nomination forms and further details are available from the Trust Secretary David Martin, email. civicawards@gmail.com

The closing date for nominations is 31 January 2023

the local area.

TALK Groups

Attendance at a weekly TALK group in Walton on Thames and Ashford. The group allows you to practice all aspects of communication and help build confidence and self -esteem. It provides a friendly environment where you can have supportive conversations , fun, laughter and social interaction

A whistle stop tour around Staines Bridge

By John Taylor Photo Spelthorne Museum

With more than 200 bridges crossing the total length of the river Thames today, the town of Staines-Upon-Thames with a population of approximately 18,500 (2022) has both a road and a separate railway bridge. In Roman times the Thames was second only to the London Road (then known as the Devil’s Highway) as a course through Staines. Therefore it was an important connection between the provincial capital Londinium and the west. The area’s Latin Roman name was Ad Pontes (At The Bridges), implying that there was more than one bridge traversing Church Island. Roman crossings at Staines were replaced by a wooden bridge referenced as early as 1222. That year King Henry III gave a cut tree from Windsor Forest for repairs of the bridge. Although this wooden structure lasted many years it was continually requiring reconstruction, and it was badly damaged during the English Civil War, with a ferry replacing the bridge for a while. Under an act of 1791, a stone bridge was built downstream of the old one, but unfortunately the central arch soon cracked and a third bridge made of iron was completed in 1803. This also failed and a fourth iron replacement was opened in 1807.

The fifth and present bridge, with three arches in white granite, was designed by Sir John and George Rennie. Construction started in 1827, and it was opened in 1832, by King

William IV and Queen Adelaide. This bridge crosses the Thames on the reach between Penton Hook Lock and Bell Weir Lock, and is close to and upstream of the main mouth of the river Colne, a tributary. The crossing carries the Thames Path across the river. Tolls were abolished in 1871. The City of London city limits coal tax markers are still in place on today’s bridge, which is Grade II listed. From the 1940s until the 1970s the bridge area was a hotspot for summer holiday traffic delays, due to many motorists heading from the capital towards the south-west. When the M3 and later the M25 motorways were constructed the traffic was diverted away from town.

In 1848 the railway came to Staines, new industries were established, and the town began to grow. The hamlet of Knowle Green around the station was one of the first to expand. The railway bridge was completed in 1856 to the design of John Gardner. It carries the Waterloo to Reading line, and the Waterloo to Chertsey, via Hounslow. Staines station was opened eight years earlier on the Waterloo to Windsor line. With the coming of the second line, Staines became an intersection and for many years the station was named Staines Junction.

Interestingly within the town there used to be a secondary station for Staines. Located on the north side of the high street, it was called Staines High Street Station, and was opened in August 1884 by the London and South Western Railway. More of a halt than a proper station, it was built of two wooden platforms on wooden stilts, some 20ft above street level. The line saw regular trains between Waterloo and Windsor, however in its later days few stopped at High Street Station, and it closed in 1916. Unfortunately nothing remains of this disused station.

Local Capture

Thanks to this months captures of the winter wonderland. From top left, Claudia Arntz, Adam Watford, Mike Bodnar and Judith Kelly. Beautiful!

Please send any photos for consideration to monica@villagematters.co.uk.

Cartoons by Helen Turner

Burlington is Care Home of the Year

Boutique Care Homes are proud to announce that The Burlington, Shepperton, has been awarded the prestigious ‘Care Home of the Year Award’ at the 2022, Surrey Care Awards.

It was a glittering evening at the Surrey Care Awards 2022, attended by the great and the good across Surrey’s social care sector. Organised by the Surrey Care Association the team from The Burlington were treated to a night of festivity as the awards celebrated the unrivalled dedication of care professionals and care providers across Surrey. They were up against the best in the business!

Simon Carter, Chair of the Surrey Care Association said that “the quality of the finalists is truly inspirational and illustrates perfectly how our workforce continue to deliver the best possible care”.

For the prestigious Care Home of the Year award, judges were looking for settings that were continually delivering great care and were innovative with purpose. Judges looked for examples that showed residents had access to friends, family and activities, examples of the service responding to feedback and for services showing a culture that gave people trust in the provision.

When reviewing the nomination for The Burlington, the judges noted that they “really liked reading about the Dementia Support Group set up for families and the dedication of the team for delivering this”.

It was also said that “championing best practice” such as providing alternative menus and support for those who were not comfortable with group activities was also “highly evidenced”.

One judging panel member specifically praised The Burlington saying: “Kindness, dignity and respect for everyone shone through this nomination and is at the heart of what they do”.

Team members across Boutique Care Homes were naturally ecstatic with this win, with

praise and celebration taking place across the group. Ameet Kotecha, Founder and Head of the Boutique Care Homes Family said that this award was, “a true reflection of all the hard work put in by everyone. I feel truly blessed to be surrounded by such an inspirational team”.

Emma Dudhee, who has been the Home Manager at The Burlington since its launch said –“Congratulations! This is very well deserved; we have a truly amazing team ”. The awards evening was attended by team members from The Burlington and Boutique Care Homes with Kirsty Ford, Admissions Manager commenting: “It was just fantastic to be able to attend the Surrey Care Awards on behalf of team at The Burlington. We were shocked and honoured to receive this award. The team work tirelessly to deliver the best care and experience possible to the residents and I am so proud to be a member of this team”.

As a family run company, strong family values are central to the culture at The Burlington. This award is a testament to the outstanding care and dedication of the team, that makes The Burlington by Boutique Care Homes, a truly magical place.

Congratulations Team Burlington!

Left to right, Carl Roberts, Angela Munns, Kirsty Ford, Andrew Mangion

Recognising dedicated volunteers

Do you know someone who should be recognised for dedicated voluntary service in the Borough of Spelthorne?

The Spelthorne Civic Award Trust was founded in 1983 by Mr Alf Goddard MBE to acknowledge the work of Spelthorne residents who have devoted their time to voluntary service in the Borough and we are inviting local residents and voluntary organisations to nominate individuals who have given a minimum of 12 years ’ service so that the Trustees can consider them for an award. Candidates do not have to live in the Borough but their work should have benefitted

Spelthorne residents.

Nomination forms and further details are available from the Trust Secretary David Martin, email. civicawards@gmail.com

The closing date for nominations is 31 January 2023

Recipe of the Month Shakshuka

Shakshuka is a North African and Middle Eastern dish. It makes a wonderful spicy brunch or supper for a cold January day.

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 30-40 minutes

Serves: 4 with bread

Ingredients

4 tbsp olive oil

1 onion, finely sliced

1 red pepper, diced

1 green pepper, diced

6 garlic cloves, crushed

2 tsp sweet paprika

½ tsp cumin seeds

½-1 tsp cayenne pepper

800g tinned tomatoes (use the best quality you can find)

2 tsp soft brown sugar

1 tbsp lemon juice

4-8 eggs, depending on hunger

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Small bunch of fresh coriander, roughly chopped

Method

Heat the oil in a large frying pan (with a lid) and add the onion. Fry gently until golden, then add the peppers and cook until they are soft. Stir in the garlic and spices and cook for another minute or two.

Pour in the tomatoes and mash roughly. Stir in the sugar and lemon juice. Bring to a boil, then turn down the heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes. Taste and season. Add a little more cayenne if you like your dishes more spicy.

Make 4-8 hollows in the sauce and break an egg gently into each one. Season lightly, and turn the heat down as low as possible, cover the pan with the lid and and cook for about 10 minutes until the eggs are just set. Sprinkle with coriander and serve with crusty bread.

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What am I learning this for?

By Rory Edwards

Rory Edwards is a local parent, teacher of 29 years and a school governor. He offers us an insight into certain dilemmas parents might face throughout the school year.

About 6 weeks ago, I was asked a question that teachers have been asked by students for a very long time. As I was teaching my Maths lesson, a girl asked: “Sir, why are we learning this? When am I going to use it? Why don’t we learn useful stuff like mortgages?” I replied, “Well your parents should be teaching you about mortgages and you ’re learning this because 1) if you’re planning on doing A-levels, you’re going to need this every lesson and 2) you may never use it again but you need it to pass your GCSEs so you can get to the next part of your education. ” Now you may or may not agree with my response but the mortgages part got me thinking about when things changed from schools teaching just the academic stuff to where it now teaches a whole load of social issues as well. Where does school responsibility end and where does parental responsibility start?

Looking back at the history of schools in my lifetime, it was in the 1980s when the National Curriculum started. Schools now had to teach certain subjects and it was also when CSEs and O-levels changed to GCSEs. I started teaching in the early 90s and when I went into teacher training, blackboards and chalk were changing to whiteboards, pens and overhead projectors. This was also my first experience of PSE or Personal and Social Education.

This was introduced because it was identified by the government that parents were no longer teaching certain skills to their children, for example, safety (now mainly online safety), community, and of course, sex education. In the schools I worked in, the form tutor was the one who tried to teach this to their form

group. I say tried to teach, as teachers weren’t trained to teach PSE and there were very few resources at the time. The internet was still a few years away! Imagine being a 21year-old, with very little life experience, now teaching teenage boys and girls about the birds and the bees!! As teachers had only been trained to teach their subject, I suspect a lot more harm than good was done whilst teaching PSE in those early years. Over the years, PSE became PHSE (H for health) and other letters have been added in different schools that I have taught in. One school had PHSCEE lessons!

In the 00s, Curriculum 2000 changed A levels to a modular course, OHPs morphed into electronic whiteboards, chalkboards were a thing of the past and teachers were using computers to teach. The 00s was also the time of the biggest change in education. In 2003, following the sad death of Victoria Climbié, the Every Child Matters green paper was published and set into motion the safeguarding world that we have in schools today. Whether it’s right or wrong but from this point, schools took on more responsibility for students and unfortunately in some cases, parents have left schools to it. Now don’t get me wrong, schools and teachers were looking after children’s welfare long before this but this was when schools became accountable for almost every part of a child ’s life.

So where does school responsibility end and parent responsibility start? Nowadays, it ’s difficult to say as it should be more of a partnership. Good parents will always do the right things by their children but if parents are struggling, know that the schools will always be on hand to help.

Halliford School launches Sixth Form STEM Scholarship

Halliford School has recently announced that they have launched a Sixth Form STEM Scholarship. It is open to all students taking two or more STEM subjects at A Level with current plans to complete higher education in a STEM-related discipline and with aspirations to pursue a career in STEM. A Level STEM subjects include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Design and Technology, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Computer Science and Psychology.

An interview will be held with the Head of Departments of the chosen A Level subjects. Students must present ideas about what they would contribute and how they would demonstrate that they will contribute positively to STEM at Halliford. The STEM scholar will be expected to represent the school on a regular basis and assist in organising events within the Science, Maths, Design & Technology or Psychology Departments, depending on the A Level subjects chosen. Such activities might include running some STEM clubs, presenting at prep school events and mentoring students lower down the school.

STEM scholars will be required to achieve Grade 8 or above at GCSE in Maths and an average of Grade 8 or higher in the Sciences. Scholarships up to 10% will be awarded for the full two -year A Level course and are dependent on maintaining a good overall standard of achievement and attitude to learning.

Headmaster, Mr James Davies, commented, “Halliford School has supported students in the STEM subjects for many years as we have seen this to be a popular route for our sixth form boys and girls. Our excellent track record of success with students applying for STEM-related courses, including at the leading Russell Group Universities and Oxbridge, is due to the powerful combination of our intellectually curious students coupled with the expertise of my colleagues on the staff. Therefore, it is a pleasure to launch this new and exciting scholarship to reflect our desire

to continue rewarding talented students as they join our impressive Sixth Form as we expertly prepare them for life in a fastchanging world. Old Hallifordians have gone on to a myriad of exciting STEM -related careers, and we are thrilled to support the next cohort of aspiring STEM ambassadors”.

Head of Sixth Form, Mr Carroll, added “With technological and scientific breakthroughs moving at pace in the last few years the doors are firmly open for students who are studying STEM subjects at A Level and at university. Many career pathways require knowledge in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and the skills students learn whilst studying these subjects are highly desirable. Halliford students are innovative and forward -thinking, and it is extremely exciting to introduce a new scholarship that celebrates innovation and an enthusiasm for STEM ”.

For more information and to apply please visit the Sixth Form Scholarship Section on their website: www.hallifordschool.co.uk

LOSRA Says…

The Eco Park - State of play, residents' concerns and discarded batteries

noise complaints from local residents, primarily about loud alarms going off in the plant.

The Refuse Bulking Facility (aka the ‘dump’!) had a fire in August in one of the storage bays, possibly due to an over-heating discarded battery and exacerbated by the hot weather. The installed sprinkler system was ineffective, but the Fire Brigade responded rapidly and no significant damage was caused. The point was made that discarded batteries in general waste represent an increasingly serious safety issue.

The recent meeting of the Suez Eco Park Community Liaison Group, on which LoSRA is represented, started with a brief tour of the Gasifier installation. The Gasifier had been running since its commissioning in August, but had unfortunately had to be shut down the previous day due to a failure of one of the main pumps in the system. It was therefore not working for our visit, which nonetheless demonstrated what a very complex plant it is.

Given that its initial input is black bag waste, one of its major challenges is to separate out all the non-burnable parts be it metal, ceramics or food. What is left is chopped into bits no larger than 80mm in size; this is screw -fed into the fluidised -bed combustor, which ultimately produces steam to power a turbine connected to an electricity generator. There are multiple sections of the plant dedicated to removing the nasty bits from the flue gases before discharging them to the atmosphere via the infamous ‘chimney’.

There have been 88 complaints about smell from ‘local’ residents, very few of which were deemed likely to have come from the site; none of these have been substantiated by the Environment Agency. There have been 53

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Barbara Adams RIP

Long-term residents of Sunbury will be saddened to hear of the death of Mrs Barbara Rosa Adams, aged 95. She died in St. Peter's Hospital, Chertsey on 8th December after a short illness. Mrs Adams was possibly the last surviving original resident of the Berg estate in Sunbury. She moved into a newly built house in Maryland Way in 1955, living there until the death of her husband Charles, earlier this year. Her last home was the Burlington Residential Home in Shepperton. During her residence in Sunbury, Barbara was an active member of the community. She was a member of TOADS, a well-regarded amateur drama and operatic group, in the 1970s, and also joined the Townswomen's Guild. She organised local Antiques Fairs and Car Boot Sales, also serving Christmas Day lunches to the vulnerable until well-advanced in years herself. She is survived by two sons and three grandchildren.

Come and Sing in 2023

By Spelthorne Choral Society

Monday nights are special for Gill Henry, because Monday nights are choir nights! No matter how bad her day at work, or how dark or cold, singing as part of the Spelthorne Choral Society (SCS) each week is a must for her. And she’s not alone. “I know I’ll come out of choir uplifted and in good spirits ”, explains Helen Senior, a member of the society for 7 years. “I come to choir, tired after a long day’s work, and I leave energised. Singing in a group is a wonderful experience.”

While Choir members Magdalena and Daphne have both found being part of the choir therapeutic. It helped them both to cope with the loss of loved ones. “Singing with SCS stops me feeling sad. You can’t think of anything else whilst you are singing. I love it”, says Magdalena.

“I find singing this wonderful music so therapeutic. It’s helped me through this very difficult time”, adds Daphne.

Whereas for Linda and Kieran it’s the escapism and the opportunity to sing with a lovely group of people, that draws them back to the choral society each week. Their experiences are also backed up by science which shows that singing releases the ‘endorphins’ – the happy chemicals that boost our moods and make us feel good about ourselves. Also, simply breathing properly, from the diaphragm, boosts awareness and improves lung function, which is good for releasing stress and helps us rest and relax.

I’ve been a member of the Choral Society for 15 years. For me, singing with other people helps build connections and feelings of togetherness. What pure joy it was to return to singing together at Our Lady of the Rosary School after lockdown. (I shed a few tears of relief after that first session.)

I’m a New Year’s resolution person – this year it’s learning web design. But 30 years

ago, top of my list was to join a choir. I did and it’s been a constant in my life ever since. Quite simply singing has seen me through thick and thin.

If you’ve enjoyed singing with others at Christmas, or perhaps you ’re more of a ‘shower’ soprano or a bathroom baritone, or perhaps just curious to find out more about joining a choir. whatever your reason, you would be welcome at the Spelthorne Choral Society. If you would like to discover your voice, see what you can do and how it feels to sing with a group of people who love to sing, then SCS is holding a ‘Come and Sing’ day in January. During this day we ’ll be rehearsing Haydn’s ‘Creation’. It’s a happy, relaxed day when we’ll rehearse and, later on, perform in our Covid safe, accessible rehearsal space. It costs £10 per person, which includes music hire, tea, coffee, and cake!

Come and Sing Haydn’s ‘Creation’ Our Lady of the Rosary School, Park Avenue, Staines Upon Thames, TW18 2EF On Saturday 21st January 2023, 10.00am4.00pm

£10.00 per person from www.spelthornechoralsociety.com Contact;

info@spelthornechoralsociety.co.uk

Sunbury Neighbours need your help

The pandemic has had an effect on many aspects of our lives. One local organisation which has run into problems is the Sunbury Neighbours charity. Run by volunteers, they drive people without access to transport and who can’t use the local transport system, for journeys such as local doctor’s and hospital appointments, shopping and hairdressers. With fewer appointments face to face, the team are finding there is less use of their services and as such less money coming in to cover their overheads. Run on donations from those who use the service, it is leaving the group financially depleted. The service is a life line to many and it still has running costs. So make a note of the date. February 18th 2.30 -5pm, Riverside Arts Centre, Sunbury Neighbours will be running a Deadline/Silent Auction to raise funds. £3.50 will give you access to the event and includes tea and cake. You browse the selection of goods and write your name and your top bid. At the deadline the top bid will win the item. Sunbury Neighbours would love prizes or quality items donated. Apart from items how about offering to host a meal for 2, an hours Ironing, make a cake, a haircut etc. If you can help please contact John Mold who will be MC for the event: john.hobby3@gmail.com. If you would like to find out more about using Sunbury Neighbours for transport please visit their website: sunburyneighbours.org, or if you want to book transport or talk to someone, please contact the duty officer on 07956 822546 Monday to Friday 9.30 -11.30. You are requested to call to make arrangements a few days before you need transport.

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I want a divorce!

Christmas is often a time when problems already present within a marriage come to a head. January is often when people decide they want to make a break. Divorce is a scary word, but if approached correctly the outcome can be positive for both parties.

What do you want from your settlement?

Think about your children, the house, and any shared finances. Try to remove emotion from the equation and be clear and realistic. Courts are not interested in why a relationship broke down and will try to be fair to both parties regardless. The fact your partner cheated will not mean that you get more money.

It's good to talk

A divorce will be quicker, cheaper and less destructive if both parties co -operate and behave with maturity. Even if you can't agree everything, try to remain civil because if you

fall out and the divorce becomes acrimonious and prolonged, savings and any equity in your house will get eaten up very quickly. Discuss things like who will petition who for the divorce and what grounds they will cite e.g. infidelity, unreasonable behaviour, or separation. Having a clear, uncontested plan will keep costs down.

Consider mediation

Mediation is not marriage counselling. It is there to help both parties agree on the key issues such as childcare arrangements, what happens to the house, what happens to savings, pensions and investments. If you can agree on these matters than all the lawyers really have to do is draw up the agreements. In this way the need for an expensive court hearing is avoided. Mediation works best if both parties commit to find a solution that works best for everyone. It is not always free, but it is much less expensive than legal fees.

By Louise Addison

ScamWatch

By Bill Cunningham

New Year Resolutions

Let’s say we’re allowed more than one NY resolution. So we can include being even more vigilant this year, to protect our ever decreasing savings from scammers. It ’s a credible assumption that we will have a challenging year ahead with our finances. We should assume too that scammers will be ramping up their approaches to us to prise out whatever money we have left. Often we hear of victims saying “but they were so convincing”. Well, yes! We should expect that. That’s their job, their livelihood at risk if their charm fails to have us part with money. Or at least part with enough banking details to then raid our accounts for money. Scammers feed on news items about grants that we can get, eg for home energy improvements. These are grants that are coming along before long so the approach sounds credible. Anything that may be a wee bit complex too, and so by offering to help us reach out for financial freebies we benefit by believing in them. For some of us it will soon be tax year end form filling time, and scammers are on to that too, helping us to provide our financial details onto a website that appears very similar to the HMRC one. If we ’re tempted to reply to a loan advert to see us through, then this can be snake pit time. If we ’re approved automatically and asked to pay a loan insurance fee, then that’s the last we’ll see of the money or hear from the company again. One good new year ’s resolution to follow: if we have some money to invest and are tempted to go for something that looks a bit special, then visiting fca.org.uk shows if the Financial Conduct Authority knows of the seller.

More sporting success for the girls

the next few weeks for both boys and girls. Soon after that, in the Spring, we move to the beach volleyball courts, when we start training for the coolest sport: Beach Volleyball. We aim to host the second ever British International Schools Beach Volleyball tournament in the summer”.

All ACS Cobham students are able to practice volleyball in the Autumn term and benefit from state-of-the-art sports facilities on campus, with an arena housing a volleyball show court featuring tiered seating for 280 spectators, which are also available for ACS Cobham’s local partner state schools for their use. ACS Cobham also hosted the UK’s first school beach volleyball tournament in London in May 2022.

Students from ACS International School Cobham in Surrey served a straight set performance and were crowned champions at the ISAA Girls Volleyball Tournament 2022, which took place in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. The girls also made history in the process, being the first ever team to not drop a set during the tournament.

The ACS Cobham girls volleyball team beat strong competition on court, triumphing over 14 international schools from across Europe to claim the gold medal.

Chris Hykiel, Head of Volleyball at ACS Cobham said: “I am very proud that after two years of no real competitions due to COVID19, the Girls' Cougars Varsity Volleyball team returned from the Netherlands with a gold medal and a huge trophy from their international competition; congratulations to the girls and Coach Giorgio.”

“We hope to continue this momentum into the Volleyball England Under 18 Grand Prix over

Sunbury Beat

Sunbury Beat

By Inspector Maxine Cilia, Spelthorne Borough Commander

By Inspector Maxine Cilia, Spelthorne Borough Commander

Well, previously I have asked for your New Year resolutions to be part of a crime prevention check on your property, and for fraud. But the time has come when this can no longer be just a resolution which you do for one week in January. It needs to be part of what you do every day.

Well, previously I have asked for your New Year resolutions to be part of a crime prevention check on your property, and for fraud. But the time has come when this can no longer be just a resolution which you do for one week in January. It needs to be part of what you do every day.

Fraud scams are on the increase and whether you have nearly sent money for a parcel to be delivered, responded to a random message to say a family member has lost their phone or been caught out on a banking scam, I could probably take an easy bet to suggest that it has happened to every one of us.

you protect it.

you protect it.

Always log on to a website directly rather than clicking on links in an email. Don’t just rely on glowing testimonials. Find solid, independent evidence of a company’s success.

Always log on to a website directly rather than clicking on links in an email. Don’t just rely on glowing testimonials. Find solid, independent evidence of a company’s success.

Always get independent or legal advice if an offer involves money, time or commitment. If you spot a scam or have been scammed, report it and get help.

Always get independent or legal advice if an offer involves money, time or commitment. If you spot a scam or have been scammed, report it and get help.

Please don’t be embarrassed about reporting a scam. Because the scammers are cunning and clever there’s no shame in being deceived. By reporting it, you'll make it more difficult for them to deceive others.

Fraud scams are on the increase and whether you have nearly sent money for a parcel to be delivered, responded to a random message to say a family member has lost their phone or been caught out on a banking scam, I could probably take an easy bet to suggest that it has happened to every one of us.

Scammers will target our phones, our internet or other electronic devices, our email and electronic banking. There is no doubt they will also try to scam people with affairs of the heart; romance is one of the most prominent types of fraud. So to avoid being scammed, be suspicious of all ‘too good to be true’ offers and deals. There are no guaranteed get-rich-quick schemes. Don’t agree to offers or deals immediately. Insist on time to get independent or legal advice before making a decision. Don’t hand over money or sign anything until you’ve checked someone’s credentials and their company’s. Never send money to anyone you don’t know or trust, whether in the UK or abroad, or use methods of payment you’re not comfortable with. Never give banking or personal details to anyone you don’t know or trust. This information is valuable so make sure

Scammers will target our phones, our internet or other electronic devices, our email and electronic banking. There is no doubt they will also try to scam people with affairs of the heart; romance is one of the most prominent types of fraud. So to avoid being scammed, be suspicious of all ‘too good to be true’ offers and deals. There are no guaranteed get-rich-quick schemes. Don’t agree to offers or deals immediately. Insist on time to get independent or legal advice before making a decision. Don’t hand over money or sign anything until you’ve checked someone’s credentials and their company’s. Never send money to anyone you don’t know or trust, whether in the UK or abroad, or use methods of payment you’re not comfortable with. Never give banking or personal details to anyone you don’t know or trust. This information is valuable so make sure

Please don’t be embarrassed about reporting a scam. Because the scammers are cunning and clever there’s no shame in being deceived. By reporting it, you'll make it more difficult for them to deceive others.

Current crime issues that we are still looking at in your local area include theft from motor vehicles, which is unfortunately on the increase, and theft of mopeds and motorbikes. Please do not leave valuables in your vehicle on show as we have seen an increase in smashing of windows to grab bags and laptops etc. As always, I ask that if you have any information about these crime types, do let us know via 101 online via the Surrey Police website or by the Spelthorne Beat Facebook Messenger service.

Current crime issues that we are still looking at in your local area include theft from motor vehicles, which is unfortunately on the increase, and theft of mopeds and motorbikes. Please do not leave valuables in your vehicle on show as we have seen an increase in smashing of windows to grab bags and laptops etc. As always, I ask that if you have any information about these crime types, do let us know via 101 online via the Surrey Police website or by the Spelthorne Beat Facebook Messenger service.

Maxine

Maxine.Cilia@surrey.pnn.police.uk

Mobile Tel 07967988468

Landline 01483 631676

Celebrate Eurovision in Sunbury in 2023!

The award-winning Staines Musical Theatre Group will be performing “EuroVisual” at the Riverside Arts Centre, Sunbury on Thames from 26 - 28 January 2023. This tongue-in-cheek homage to the Eurovision Song Contest will present a fiesta of outrageous dance routines, on-stage dramas and off-stage politics. From pop bangers to the obligatory key-changing ballads - it’s everything you’d expect from Eurovision, and more! There’ll be a smorgasbord of songs performed from ten European countries and the audience gets to vote for their favourite act to win the contest - so there could be a different winner crowned every night. “Love it or loathe it, there’s something for everyone in Eurovisual”, said the show’s director, Karen Hanley. “Come and enjoy the songs of Eurovision-past or come and laugh at the outlandish performances and shockingly bad hosts. Either way you’ll have a fun night out.” “Looking for an enjoyable and fun night out?'' asks Musical Director, Guy Bunce. “Don’t make the mistake of thinking it’ll be a major tasteful musical event. This spoof on Eurovision is full of the cheesy and bizarre euro-pop songs you'd expect, with an extra sprinkle of sequins and drama." The contest will take place at 7.30pm from Thursday 26 January to Saturday 28 January 2023 and also at 2.30pm on Saturday 28 January at the Riverside Arts Centre, Sunbury on Thames. Tickets cost £12 and can be booked online at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/ staines-musical-theatre-group

13th-15th January

Macbeth

A Rose Participate and Oldenburg State Theatre co-production. Featuring Rose Young Company alumni

The Rose Theatre, Kingston www.rosetheatre.org

Exhibition until 15th January 2023

Walled Garden, Thames Street, Sunbury

Jason Hart. Woodwork to Treasure Exhibition and sale of hand made wooden pieces made from reclaimed wood. Jason is a Sunbury resident. His pieces would make a great Christmas gift. Entry free.

Wednesday 18 January 2023 - 1pm

Riverhouse Barn, Walton on Thames Lunchtime Concert: Milena Simović (viola) and Vitaly Pisarenko (piano)

Equally at home as a violinist and violist, Serbian Milena Simović is enjoying an illustrious career of concerto, recital and chamber music performances across the world. Russian born pianist Vitaly Pisarenko won first prize at the International Franz Liszt competition in 2008 and his international career commenced the morning after.

Tickets: £15

Book: www.riverhousebarn.co.uk

Friday 27th January

Runnymede Jazz Club. Sarah Spencer ’s Transatlantic Band 7.30pm

Addlestone Community Centre, Garfield Rd, Addlestone, KT15 2NJ

runnymedejazzclub@hotmail.com www.runnymedejazzclub.com

21st-25th February

The Mirror Crack’d.

The Rose Theatre, Kingston www.rosetheatre.org

Friday 6th January 8.30pm

Sunbury Music Nights presents The Nashville Teens (www.Nashville-Teens.com).

Hot food available from 7.00pm Entrance is £10.00 on the door (cards or cash).

Enquiries to paulwatts1946@googlemail.com.

Sunbury Cricket Club, Lower Hampton Road, TW16 5P

17TH January – 12th March

The Diana Springall Collection - Home and Abroad: An Exhibition of Recent Acquisitions. The Sunbury Gallery presents a selection of contemporary works recently acquired by Diana Springall.

Diana is, according to the Victoria & Albert Museum, “amongst the most well-known of all British textile artists” with an acclaimed collection of British Embroidery and Textile Art amassed over a 60 year period. This nationally important collection will be housed in the new extended Sunbury Embroidery Gallery, and will be an integral part of the Gallery’s aim to become a National Centre of excellence for Embroidery and textile related arts.

Sunbury Embroidery Gallery, Thames Street, Sunbury on Thames, TW16 6AB

Wednesday 25 January 2023 - 8pm

Riverhouse Barn, Walton on Thames

Simon Brodkin - 'warm up' for Screwed Up UK tour. "Warm-up" show in advance of Simon Brodkin's highly anticipated tour show, Screwed Up, which kicks-off in February 2023 with multiple dates across the UK.

Be part of the process and get a reasonably priced ticket for a preview of what will shortly be unleashed on the tour show audiences!

Ages 16+ (adult content and strong language)

Tickets: £10

Book: www.riverhousebarn.co.uk

9th January - 8.00 to 9.45pm every Monday

Addlestone Singers Spring session starts at the Methodist Church, 71 Station Road, KT15 2AR. Free parking off Crouch Oak Lane behind the medical centre. We would love to welcome new ladies for enjoyable evenings. addlestonesingers.tumblr.com

January 12th 23rd. Leacroft Youth Centre is opening a Girls only session . We have a Cafe Lounge area where the girls can talk confidently and get support for their emotional well -being or just come along with friends and have a say in how they would like the cafe to run.

More information call 07771566111

Fridays 13th January and 10th February. Sunbury Library Coffee Time. 10 -11.30am

The Friends of Sunbury Library invite you to a Coffee Time. Coffee or tea, biscuits and general knowledge quiz for 50p. Sunbury Library, The Parade, Staines Road West, Sunbury.

Tuesday 17th January

‘Sailing on the Thames’ by Mark Laity is the subject of the next meeting of the Sunbury and Shepperton Local History Society.

Tuesday 17th January (postponed from November) at Halliford School in Russell Road, Shepperton. The talk starts at 8pm and all are welcome. Admission £2 for nonmembers.

Saturday 21st January 2023, 10.00am4.00pm. Spelthorne Choral Society

Come and Sing Haydn’s ‘Creation’. All welcome!

Our Lady of the Rosary School, Park Avenue, Staines Upon Thames, TW18 2EF. £10.00 per person from www. spelthornechoralsociety.com Contact info@spelthornechoralsociety.co.uk

Surplus to Supper

Every Saturday and Sunday 11.30-1pm. Surplus food shop open to ALL. Fill your shopping bags with food which would have gone to landfill. Just make a mindful donation (£5 minimum). All proceeds support the charity. Sunbury Cricket Club, Lower Hampton Road, Sunbury, TW16 5PS

Sunbury Neighbours Volunteers have been helping those in need in our community for more than 20 years but desperately need more drivers. If you enjoy meeting people and have the occasional spare hour to help, please contact us on 01932 787343.

A mileage allowance will be paid .

or 01252 515023

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Winter Scent

I love a garden planted for winter. There are so many plants with wonderful shape and interesting evergreen foliage. But the thing that draws me out into any garden is scent, and fragrance is particularly uplifting in the depths of winter. Getting outdoors into natural daylight, even on a cold, dank day is a mood booster. If you need an excuse to don woolly hat and gloves then what better than winter-flowering shrubs. Even better if you can cut a few sprigs to take back indoors.

Chimonanthus praecox, known as Wintersweet is the type of shrub that looks rather unexciting in spring and summer, but in winter once established (which may take a couple of years) the bare branches erupt with lovely waxy yellow flowers which have an intense sweet and spicy scent. For a little spot near the front or back door, think about Daphne bholua, a shade -loving, tiny, evergreen shrub which produces delicate pink or white blooms that look like they are made from fondant icing. They have a rich floral, old-fashioned scent.

If space is limited you also try Sarcococca hookeriana. This is also a shade-lover and produced a very powerful jasmine -like scent which carries well on the breeze. If you have more space and would like something more robust then plant Viburnum x bodnantense. It produces pom-poms of flowers in pastel pink or white which smell of warm vanilla and lilac. It also has an extremely long

flowering season, starting in mid-autumn and going right through until early spring. All of the above flowers can be cut, and will last for several days in a vase in the house. But January is also the perfect time to enjoy gardening indoors. My teenage son collects cacti and was gifted a striking, ornamental cactus with funky foliage a couple of years ago, called Epiphyllum anguliger. The wavy-edge leaves which oscillate along the stem give rise to its more common name, the Fishbone Cactus. As well as looking handsome all year round it has the delightful bonus of producing large creamy white flowers in winter which emit a wonderful scent in the evening, just one bloom can fill a room with a sweet fragrance.

You don’t have to be deprived of scent in the winter months. Make a New Year ’s resolution to bring some fragrance into your garden, and your home.

Happy gardening!

Rachael Leverton

love a winter. plants with shape and evergreen thing that into any and fragrance particularly depths Getting natural cold, dank booster. excuse and gloves than winter shrubs. can cut back indoors.

Chimonanthus known the type rather unexciting winter couple lovely waxy intense

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