Sunbury Matters is a free monthly community magazine, launched in November 2011. The magazine is distributed to the Sunbury-on-Thames area every month but every issue is also available to read online right here.
In this months issue we look at the community celebrating summer with a wonderful Open Gardens, a street party and a floral boat tribute to the founder of the local business group. We also bring the story of Flight Lieutenant Dominic Bruce of Blakesley Lodge in Green St during the year of the centenary of the RAF.
In this months issue you can read all about the Lendy Lion which now stands in the Walled Garden. Also the Sunbury Suffagette who is commemorated on the plaque in Parliament Square. In addition we highlight local issues such as the Local Plan, parking on the pavements and potholes!
In this issue we continue the battle with the overzealous parking system at Sunbury Cross and urge management to change the system or lose trade. We visit the Riverside Arts Centre and hear about how it started, how it was funded and how it is run. What a story!
In this months magazine we take a look at the beautiful old house that used to stand opposite Rivermead Island. We hear about a new ladies wear hire business in Sunbury, review a stunning concert at St Mary’s Church and celebrate MBE Lynn Stanier.
In this months magazine we meet an inspiring young man who has set the Guinness World Record for the most countries visited by bike in 7 days. We also read about plotlands, the subdivision on land which created affordable riverside dwellings in the beginning of the 20th century and we carry a tribute to the late Ian Dow who did so much for the Riverside Youth Theatre in Sunbury.
In this months issue we discover that Sunbury had its own film star back in the early 20th century. Alma Taylor was a huge name at neighbouring Hepworth Studios. Back to current times with a bump, we look at the new parking rules at Sunbury Cross which are leaving many with huge fines to contend with, discuss dredging with the Environment Agency and find out what next steps can be taken in the fight to restore Hanworth Park House.
We look back to the days when the Thames froze over, appeal for the saving of Hanworth Park House and have a chat with the Chief Constable of Surrey about antisocial behaviour.
This month we continue with good news stories as well as updates on the not so good news from the village. We look also at weird and wonderful Christmas traditions, have a chat with the Bishop of Kensington about what Christmas means to him and of course update you on the Sunbury Christmas House.
There is a lot in this month’s issue relating to the challenges in our community – burglaries, antisocial behaviour, boat scuttling and thefts. So we want to spread some good news stories too.
In this month’s issue we feature a magnificent stag on the front cover as the rutting season gets under way. We look at community leaf clearing efforts, meet 3AM a local band and attend a wedding show with preloved dresses on the catwalk.
In this biggest ever issue of Sunbury Matters we take a look at questions to think about when selecting a school, we visit Brooklands Museum, hear about conservation at St Mary’s and consider what makes ‘Hygge’, that cosy feeling you get from being curled up in front of a fire, and find out that there are lots of Welsh in our little community.
We reflect on the visit to Sunbury of the Queen’s row barge, Gloriana, crewed by the Sunbury Skiff Club. The front cover sets the scene. We also introduce you to the local hedgehog sanctuary – did you know there was one? We also welcome to Sunbury the fabulous Spelthorne Gymnastics and give you an overview of the forthcoming Sunbury regatta.
We take a look at local events such as the recent Sunbury Open Gardens, congratulate a local MBE winner, celebrate 300 years of water music and consider a teaching career with training at Thamesmead school
This month there is a lot happening. The Sunbury & Shepperton Arts Festival, Staines upon Thames Day, the TW12 Jazz Festival… and we have the Gloriana visiting Sunbury.
In this months issue read about how Sunbury & Shepperton played a part feeding the growing population of London in the late 19th century. You can also see how the Mount Felix hospital which cared for 27,000 wounded soldiers in WW1 has been immortalised in a tapestry. We say our farewells to David Brown, architect and creator of the Sunbury Millenium Embroidery, who died in April.
In this months issue we hear about the crazy and exotic cowboy wedding in Shepperton in over 100 years ago. We also learn about the Walton on Thames connections with New Zealand through the Mount Felix hospital which cared for 27,000 antipodean patients during WW1.
In this month’s issue we talk over development in Lower Sunbury, lamenting the potential loss of green belt land. We hear about funding for community projects from the Heathrow Community Fund and we meet Sunbury’s own chocolatier, CocoaCraft and spend an afternoon getting messy with chocolate!
There is plenty to get your teeth into in this issue. With news of Kempton Park’s threatened demolition and the building of a small village on the site, we report on the threat to our green spaces from developers and lament the strain in infrastructure and services.
In this issue we revisit Christmas past through history. We also have a chat with the High Sheriff of Surrey, none other than Dick Whittington (well Richard Whittington to be fair, but related to the Dick Whittington of tales of old). Brewing Heritage is still being kept alive in Spelthorne.
This month we hear of a Victoria Cross holder who lived in Sunbury. We also meet a local girl, Emily Varney, who wants to teach the world to sing and we learn about the Re-store food bank programme.
We look at several issues concerning planning and changes which will affect our village including the threat to the 555/557 bus service and the dangers posed by swimming in the Thames. We also look at the talent in Sunbury, with a visit to the band that won Has Sunbury Got Talent.
