The River Thames forms a large part of the Spelthorne Borough boundary. Although this provides a pleasant environment to live and pursue leisure interests in, the downside is that the risk of flooding has always been with us.
Floods Past and Present Read More »
It began in architect David Brown’s kitchen! The year was 1995 and David was looking for ideas for a project to commemorate Sunbury during the forthcoming millennium.
The Story of the Sunbury Embroidery Read More »
This photo of Sunbury Cross, looking east from the Pyrene House office block, was taken just as preparations were underway to change the area forever. A large roundabout was to be built, displacing the Jubilee clock seen in the middle of this view, and following this the huge M3 flyover was constructed. On the right
Sunbury Cross C1969 Read More »
Sunbury Amateur Regatta is firmly established as one of the highlights of the year in Lower Sunbury, both as a sporting event and a fun day for all the community. This year’s event, blessed by fine weather, drew the crowds as usual, and the fireworks (a feature since at least 1880) were spectacular! This picture
This photo of Sunbury village from the air shows the Thames Street area essentially unchanged from today. A noticeable difference is the lack of houses in The Avenue beyond the Rope Walk, which were built from the 1930s onwards. The parade of shops in the Avenue wasn’t added until after World War Two. Further along
Sunbury Village from the air Read More »
The Thames is unique in this country in having a series of inhabited islands. There are several in the Sunbury area. Travelling downstream, the first is Wheatley’s Ait.
The new Walton Bridge is fast approaching completion, and it seems a good time to look back on the history of the five previous bridges which have crossed the Thames here. The first bridge was built for Samuel Dicker of Mount Felix, Walton, MP for Plymouth and a plantation owner in Jamaica. He obtained an
The History Of Walton Bridge Read More »
Crime rates and the argument over punishment vs. rehabilitation of offenders are much in the news these days. 200 years ago there was no such uncertainty- punishment was swift and severe! Despite what we would regard as grinding poverty by today’s standards, the people of Sunbury and Shepperton were largely untroubled by serious crime.
Crime and Punishment in Sunbury and Shepperton Read More »
We may think of Lower Sunbury in the past as having been a sleepy place where nothing much happened, but in September 1904, an event occurred which was to attract the attention of several national newspapers.
The Sunbury ‘Riot’ Read More »
It has had its share of dramas, freaks of weather, tragedy and laughter. Such is the idyll, charm and character of Sunbury Court Island, that [relative new-comer] David Garrett felt compelled to compile a history of the place and its residents to leave as a testament.
Sunbury Court Island – a Microcosm of Life Read More »
As I write this article, the Police College building is gradually being demolished, to be replaced by a low-rise development of houses and apartments. Hopefully most people agree that this is far more in keeping with the character of Lower Sunbury than the existing tower block.
The Changing Face of Sunbury Village Read More »
By Nick Pollard This month sees our local traders put on events in both Sunbury and Shepperton celebrating Christmas. Sunbury Christmas Market on the 13th and Big Tree Night in Shepperton on the 14th, are a reminder of how shops are, despite the internet, still at the heart of our communities. In days gone by
Sunbury & Shepperton Shops Read More »
“The Reynard”, the Windsor and London coach service operated in the summertime from 1910 to 1912. It was the brainchild of Mr. R. Craig-Mckerrow who believed that stage coaching was not dead, but in suspended animation.
The Reynard Stagecoach Read More »
The locks on the river at Sunbury and Shepperton are the result of a scheme by the City of London, which had acquired the rights over the river as far as Staines from King Richard I back in 1197, to improve the navigation on the Thames. In dry summers there was so little water that
Sunbury & Shepperton Locks Read More »
This month sees the anniversary of the outbreak of World War Two, and I have recently come across two different accounts of the experiences of school children in Sunbury and Shepperton at the time. I recently met sisters Audrey Shimmield and Dorothy Denyer (nee Jones) who lived in Alexandra Road, Sunbury, near to what was
Sunbury & Shepperton in World War II Read More »
