News

Staines-upon-Thames 'sounds like pollution'

By Jack Maidment
November 30, 2011

PLANS to re-brand Staines with an 'upon-Thames' suffix have been roundly ridiculed by neighbouring Runnymede councillors who were asked for their views on the issue.

The proposal to improve the town’s image and increase investment with a name change has been treated with contempt by many residents and the world’s media alike.

And Spelthorne Borough Council received little in the way of neighbourly understanding from Runnymede as the civic centre in Addlestone was filled with the raucous laughter of councillors suggesting their own ideas for the town.

“Would you like to change your name to something that sounds like environmental pollution?” asked Cllr Peter Waddell (Addlestone Bourneside ward).

And former leader Cllr John Furey (also Addlestone Bourneside) joined in the fun, jesting that Spelthorne should consider changing the town’s name to Staines-by-Runnymede.

And Terry Dicks, Chertsey South and Rowtown councillor, went one step further, playfully suggesting that Runnymede should consider its own switch, changing the borough’s name to Runnymede-by-the-Motorway.

Runnymede Borough Council had been asked for its views on the subject before Spelthorne makes its final decision later this month.

Cllr Paul Tuley (Chertsey Meads) said: “Whatever objectives Staines wishes to achieve, whether noble or not, it is most unlikely to be achieved by a change of name.

"There are other more fundamental factors that need to be addressed but if that’s the direction they wish to travel in, jolly good luck to them.”

Following the good-natured buffoonery, however, Runnymede councillors voted in favour of a recommendation to show support for the plan.

Spethorne’s cabinet voted through the recommendation for the name change on Tuesday last week (November 22). The proposal will now go before the full council on Thursday, December 15, when councillors will vote on whether or not they want to forge ahead with the idea.

The people behind the plan want to move away from the negative image of Staines associated with fictional comedy character Ali G, who represented the town in a feature film and international television series.

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Nay Sir, I enjoy strange little names and the bastardization of words to form new ones its part of our culture & history. My problem is with the strange little people who are wasting a lot of time and money believing that by adding ten letters to the end of a name its going change everything. Could S.t.G. tell me why Sunbury is 'on' when it isn't, when Lower Sunbury is? and as others have commented the 'on or upon' is only used to distinguish themselves from other towns. Where is the other Sunbury?

Horatio Cumerband IV, outthere
05/12/2011 at 11:10

Nice that they had a laugh and Staines' expense then approved it.

Mj P
05/12/2011 at 09:53

Horatio's sounds quite ignorant to the fact that many towns such as Staines even per se have odd sounding names and this is due to their different root (or should that be route!) to the words! Sunbury-on-Thames has enjoyed postally that name for over 50 years and certainly has been part of its character more intrinsically than Staines since that time.

Sunbury_the_great, Sunbury-on-Thames
04/12/2011 at 10:22

West side....!

Bob Jones
02/12/2011 at 07:52

I think Ill move to Runnymede. Sounds like they have a sensible council.

limeybob
01/12/2011 at 17:33

I think Spelthorne Borough Council must be the only people that care about Ali G any more. Times have moved on, and as others say above there are far better things they could be debating and doing to make the town a more attractive place to live, work and play. A new name won't change anything.

elleay, Woking
01/12/2011 at 16:19

If the Councillors value their seats they had better vote NO to Staines on Thames. We do not need another 38 clowns on Knowle Green.

Chas. H Cradduck, Staines
01/12/2011 at 12:10

The council meeting that will cover this farce (& many more no doubt) is on 15th December at 7:30pm. All questions for the meeting must be submitted by letter and received at the council offices no later then 8th December. I recommend sending your letters recorded delivery

Horatio Cumerband IV, outthere
30/11/2011 at 20:43

Please, please, please put an end to this stupidity!. A name change is not going to make any difference. Why not divert your attention to something that will make a difference. Why is all that land that was put aside for the proposed regeneration of Staines still lying idle? At least open it up as a temporary car park for a period. Don't the councillors care that the artists impression of how Staines would look after regeneration are coming down. The peeling paintwork on the hoardings are not going to generate any future business or tourism!