I recently went to chocolate heaven. More precisely to the Riverside Arts Centre studio where I spend an afternoon learning about chocolate before sampling rather a lot of it, and making my own bars to take home. Wonderful!
Sunbury’s Own Willy Wonka Read More »
No sooner had I drafted an article on the imminent rise in Council Tax and the referendum we were promised on it, than the threat of the 15% rise was lifted. Strange times! Surrey County Council faces losing another £93m funding.
Surrey County Council talks money Read More »
In last month’s Sunbury Matters we wrote about the strain on resources as the local population continues to grow and our village expands. Well, one of those resources put under a lot of pressure deserves a big pat on the back for providing a great service – Sunbury Health Centre.
Sunbury Health Centre -It’s All Under Control Read More »
At this time of year, residents who live near the Thames will be remembering the terrible floods of three years ago, which caused such disruption and damage. Exactly 60 years ago, in 1947, our community was facing an even worse challenge.
The Worst Flood In Living Memory – 1947 Read More »
Mission for Vision, featured last year in Shepperton Matters, was founded by Ian Squire in 2003 as a means to improving the lives of those living in the poorest regions in the developing world.
Rotary and Men in Sheds Support Mission for Vision Read More »
In this months issue you can read plenty about threats to services: the buses, fire station etc. But we look back also at the worst flood in living memory and it is not the one of 3 years ago, but 1947. We can be thankful at least that we have seen some improvements in infrastructure since then.
To my mind, Sunbury is defined by its pubs. The joys of living along the river are never more evident than when enjoying a pint alongside it in a pub.
The History of Sunbury Pubs Read More »
Sunbury has lost a great talent, a great personality and a great inspiration. After a battle with cancer, Emma Dow passed away in the Sam Beare Hospice, aged 45, with her family at her side in November 2016. She has left a huge legacy within the community and touched many lives.
Emma Dow’s Final Bow Read More »
It has all gone crazy! Everywhere I turn there are new houses springing up. We understand there is a housing crisis and that the demand for more housing has never been so great.
Something Has to Give! Read More »
So, judgement day arrived in late October (after we had gone to print with the November issue, so excuse the tardy report). You may remember me reporting that we had been persuaded to enter our riverside garden into the Spelthorne in Bloom competition earlier this year.
Spelthorne’s Late Blooms Read More »
Nine teams from five schools took part in Youth Speaks, the annual public speaking competition for schools, organised by Shepperton Aurora Rotary on 18th November at the Council Chambers in Staines. Each team consisted of 3 members, a Chairperson, a Speaker, and giver of Vote of Thanks, and spoke on a subject of their own choice. Choices of subject covered a wide range, from ‘Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover’ to ‘The Dark Side of Exams’.
Rotary Youth Speaks Competition 2016 Read More »
You are probably aware that Staines has a brewing tradition. 200 or so years ago there were in fact many small breweries in the area, attracted by the pure water in Staines. In the late 18th century records list Thomas Gates and William Harris as brewers and the Harris family went on to be one of the major local brewing families.
Still Brewing in Spelthorne Read More »
With Christmas fast approaching, I thought I would take a look at the festive season in our community in years gone by, starting exactly 90 years ago in 1926.
This is our last issue of the year (and the first of next year as we are doing a joint issue for the first time). We hear about the schools public speaking competition, about the local brewing heritage and about the winners of Spelthorne in Bloom.
That’s just the sort of question one can get asked when one says that we spend Tuesdays at the Kempton site of the “Hampton & Kempton Waterworks Railway”.
What Do You All Day at the Hampton & Kempton Waterworks Railway? Read More »
In this month of Remembrance, I thought I would share the story of a former Sunbury resident who won the Victoria Cross, the Nation’s highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy, and almost incredibly, survived his ordeal.
A Sunbury Victoria Cross Holder Read More »
As well as reflecting on Armistice Day with a fantastic cover from Amy Hannaford Cooper, the super talented 11 year old from Shepperton, we take another trip to Shepperton Studios, behind the scenes and meet the Prop Master. We also share some memories of The Hovel which is well remembered by many, not necessarily for the food!
We are loving having a peek behind the scenes at Shepperton Studios. Not on set, you understand, but what goes on in the making of a film. Last month we brought you a piece on Motion Capture and the role it plays in blockbusters.
Meeting the Prop Master Read More »
Following our piece on the closure of the Shepperton Wine Bar and Grill recently, we were contacted by a local reader whose mother, Stella Smith, had told her stories about a previous incarnation. Mrs Smith had often visited The Hovel in the late 1950s and early 60’s.
The Hovel, Middlesex Read More »
This month we carry articles on safety in the water following the tragic death of a teenager. We also look behind the scenes at Motion Capture at Shepperton Studios and hear about one Shepperton lady’s quest to help youngsters in African get an education.
This photo, taken exactly a century ago, shows a group of children and adults at the Good Templar and Temperance Orphanage, Marion Park, Sunbury. The Orphanage occupied a house erected about 1750 on the site now occupied by Sunbury Manor School in Nursery Road.
Marion Park Orphanage 1916 Read More »
