November 2008 Archives

Plans to spend £20,000 of taxpayers' money on implementing a 20mph speed limit in Thames Street have been met with anger from residents.

The money will be spent despite a three-year trial revealing average speeds in the road and its surrounding streets are about 20mph anyway, and residents can't understand why such a large amount is to be spent.

Gary Howard, of French Street, said: "It's totally outrageous and a complete waste of money, especially with the economic situation as it is at the moment.

"I know the road is quite narrow but to spend £20,000 is absolutely ridiculous. The council could spend the money on something more useful like giving youngsters something to do and keeping them off the streets."

A policeman on a motorbike training exercise was taken to hospital after his bike was in collision with a car.

The constable was driving along Staines Road East in Sunbury when the accident happened outside the BP filling station on Friday (November 21) at about 11.20am.

An air ambulance and two road ambulances were dispatched and the officer was taken to St Peter's Hospital, Chertsey, reporting pains in his lower legs, although a sergeant at the scene reported he was "smiling" as he was being treated.

Olympic gold-winning rower Andy Hodge left children at Springfield Primary School in Lower Sunbury starry-eyed after paying a visit and showing off his medal.

Andy, who is Molesey Boat Club captain, was part of the coxless fours team that took home the top gong in Beijing and was only too pleased to share the story of his success to the delighted kids earlier this month.

He first visited the Nursery Road school in June and inspired the pupils with his ideals of hard work, enjoying what you do and aiming high.

Last year Day Hospice patients at the Princess Alice Hospice were very please to receive gifts of beautiful patchwork quilts courtesy of Creative Quilting, Bridge Road, East Molesey. This year the Hospice is once again receiving a very welcome gift of over 30 quilts, made during 'QUILTATHON'.

An empty office building in Sunbury Cross could be turned into a hotel - just weeks after similar accommodation was approved 200 yards away.

Brite Court Ltd has applied to Spelthorne Council to convert the nine-storey Kempton Point building, which has underground parking, in Staines Road West, into a
hotel.

The scheme comes just weeks after extensive plans were approved by the council to redevelop the Sunbury Cross Shopping Centre, which involves turning the 13-storey Chubb House building into a hotel.

Firefighters attended a bonfire that was out of control by St Mary's Church, Church Street, on Saturday November 15 at 1.30pm, using one hosereel to douse the flames.

Free Angling lessons by the conservation charity Groundwork Thames Valley will be available at Sivyer's Lake, off Croysdale Avenue, on Saturday November 22.

A qualified coach will help anyone between the ages of 10 and 18. For more information or to book, call 01895 839855.

The Manor Players celebrate their 60th anniversary with a dinner at the The Riverside Arts Centre, Thames Street, on Saturday November 22.

RIVER police joined forces with the Environment Agency and made a string of arrests in a crime clampdown on the Thames.

Operation Inveigle focused on the stretch of river between Shepperton and Teddington Locks and officers spent four days making arrests, including one for possession of Class A drugs and two for possession of stolen goods. They also made three seizures of herbal cannabis and reported five vessels for unlicenced activity.

Forget Jimmy Savile and instead call on Shepperton carer Samantha Bradley to fix it and make your kids' dreams come true.

Samantha, from Gaston Way, is in the final throes or organising a charity ball for little Maxwell Lovell, a two-year-old who has just had a tumour discovered on his spinal chord.