Christmas Past
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.
Sunbury Matters
Issue 71
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.
What Do You All Day at the Hampton & Kempton Waterworks Railway?
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 »
Sunbury Songbird Will Teach You to Sing
Many children dream of being on stage. My claim to fame is winning the drama cup in junior school for playing a singing dog in ‘Give a Dog a Bone’ (but here I am publishing magazines)!
Sunbury Songbird Will Teach You to Sing Read More »
A Sunbury Victoria Cross Holder
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 »
Issue 70
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.
How does Restore Food Bank Work?
I wonder how many of us are aware that there is a food bank operating in Sunbury. Restore is run by volunteers out of St Saviours Church in Vicarage Road.
How does Restore Food Bank Work? Read More »
Save Our Buses
Our mailbag (or modern day email inbox) was bulging with concerns, complaints and general clamour for more information following our piece on the withdrawal of bus services last month. As well as the 556 and 557, we must also of course mention the 458.
A spiritual awakening
I have experienced many interesting things while working for Village Matters. When I was invited to visit a psychic though I was not at all sure what to expect.
A spiritual awakening Read More »
Issue 69
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.
Marion Park Orphanage 1916
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 »
Celebrating Shepperton
At the Shepperton Fair this year, we introduced a category “Celebrating Shepperton” into the photographic competition. Well, it seems we have a lot to celebrate! How wonderful to read about Shepperton being voted one of the happiest places to live in the UK! I had lots of calls and emails telling me.
Celebrating Shepperton Read More »
Still a Goddess – Diana Moran Inspires Fitness
Health and fitness seems to have been a large part of my life recently. First I completed the Ride London 46 mile bike ride with such a lot of energy left that I cycled the 22 miles home too! Last month we were being inspired by the Olympics.
Still a Goddess – Diana Moran Inspires Fitness Read More »
The Anchor Hotel Shepperton
With the current plans to redevelop the Anchor as housing, I thought it was timely to have a look at the history of what is probably Shepperton’s oldest-established inn.
The Anchor Hotel Shepperton Read More »
Spelthorne Natural History Society’s 40th Birthday
The Spelthorne Natural History Society celebrates its 40th anniversary on 15th September with a reception at the Walled Garden and Embroidery Gallery in Sunbury.
Spelthorne Natural History Society’s 40th Birthday Read More »
Issue 68
This month we hear from the man who ran The Listeners, a series of concerts from (future) world class musicians in his own home, put on for the visually impaired. Alan Gifford ran the project for some 20 years bringing happiness to so many. We also hear about the 40th anniversary of the Spelthorne Natural History Society and take a look at Open House London attractions not too far from home.
Issue 67
We take a look at the 10th anniversary exhibition of the Embroidery Gallery in Lower Sunbury, looking back to the initial idea for the millennium project through to the design of the gallery and finally the royal opening. We also visit RHS Hampton Court Flower Show and congratulate Squires on 80 years in business and the 80th birthday of Chairman Colin Squire.
The Fire at Darby House Sunbury, 1907
One of my favourite postcards of Sunbury is this one of the great fire at Darby House in Lower Hampton Road, on June 18th 1907. My copy was sent to an address in Shepperton and postmarked June 28th 1907, which means that someone was pretty quick off the mark producing a postcard of the event!
The Fire at Darby House Sunbury, 1907 Read More »
Shepperton has a star in the making – meet Aylis Mae!
17 year old Lucy Watkins, known professionally as singer-songwriter Aylis Mae is celebrating after releasing her debut music video on Vevo for her song ‘Broken Heart’.
Shepperton has a star in the making – meet Aylis Mae! Read More »
Memoirs of Muriel (Danny) Daniel
A Laleham Testament with an intriguing connection
Memoirs of Muriel (Danny) Daniel Read More »
Happy, Healthy and 100
Huge congratulations to Ena Perrot on reaching a round 100 years old.
Happy, Healthy and 100 Read More »