Following last year’s fantastic success, on Saturday 7th May the URC will again be overflowing with a cornucopia of Books, Plants and Collectables! From 10.00 to 12 noon there will be a Plant and Book Sale on the forecourt, with an opportunity for advance viewing for the Auction of Collectables and Household Goods. Official viewing of the Auction [catalogue 50p] will be from 1.15 to 2.15 p.m., when the Auction will start. If you would like us to auction anything on your behalf, with 15% of the hammer price going to the Church, please contact Henry Gardner on 01895 674074, henry.gardner@virgin.net. For donations of items or general enquiries about the day, contact Richard Piper on 01895 634348, richardjpiper@btopenworld.com. A final thought about the Auction: NO VAT is payable!

SWAKELEYS HOUSE BOWLS CLUB FIGHTS CLOSURE THREAT

Many readers will have been disturbed by reports in the Gazette local newspaper of 6th April that the new owners of Swakeleys House are threatening not to renew the lease, at a ‘peppercorn’ rate, to allow Swakeleys House Bowls Club to continue to operate from its historic base after the deadline of 24th June 2005. CES Properties (Ickenham) Ltd has offered lease continuation at a rent of £15,000 per annum, and in a terse letter to Club President, John Wilkinson, told him not to seek further communication, as the offer is not negotiable. Ickenham Residents’ Association Chairman, Peter Daymond, and Hillingdon Council spokesman, Roy Mills, support the Club. The Council has reminded the Property Company of a planning agreement relating to the House. Uxbridge M.P. and Club Patron, John Randall, was quoted as saying “ This vibrant club has made lots of money for charities, and the behaviour of the company in not speaking to them is absolutely unacceptable.”

Members built, fitted out the clubhouse, and carried out all the maintenance on the green and surrounding area, keeping it an attractive addition to both Swakeleys House and the Ickenham Conservation Area. Members believe their presence helps to minimise vandalism in this area particularly during recent years when the house has been unoccupied.

The company refused to comment when approached by The Gazette.

Should you have missed the article, it is republished in full in the May PhotoNews section of ICNOnline at www.ickenhamchurchnews.co.uk If you support the Club members’ efforts to survive, and think you may be able to help them please write direct to: Mr. Richard Frischmann CES Properties (Ickenham) Ltd 5 Manchester Square, London W1A 1AU. Please copy also to John Foxford Hon. Secretary SHBC, 18 Gilby Close, Ickenham, UXBRIDGE, Middlesex UB10 8TD.

In the aforementioned article the Gazette’s Barbara Fisher asked people to ‘phone her with their views and the Paper may well publish a follow-up if they get sufficient response. Tel. 01895 451020

NEW GOSPEL OAK IS DEAD?

From reports received it seems that the new Gospel Oak planted in 2004 has died owing to lack of TLC by the requisite local authority department during the summer months. When evidence of early defoliation was advised, Borough experts decided that the tree might have ‘shut down’ temporarily, but would bud again this spring. It was suggested that this is a common situation with saplings. Regrowth does not seem to have happened. The IRA is taking up the matter and will remind the Borough of the promise given to replant should the tree truly be dead. Other interested parties have been keeping a close eye on the situation.

WAYFARERS TENNIS CLUB

Wayfarers Tennis Club is situated in the heart of Ickenham, by Swakeleys House. The Club welcomes players of all ages and levels and in particular families who are looking for exercise, fun and social activities.

The Club’s focus for the past two years has been to develop junior tennis – the coaching team run programmes each week covering 5 year olds to under 18’s. In the past year over 100 children and young people have joined these sessions and play regular social and league tennis. Our young ladies (under 16’s) team won its Middlesex league, two junior players have achieved world rankings and three players were recently selected to play for Middlesex. This year the Club has received generous grants from the LTA and Hillingdon Sports Council to acquire equipment and enhance the sports programmes for juniors.

In addition, the Club has recently spent over £100,000 to improve its courts and clubhouse facilities. There is a lively adult programme with social tennis every week, monthly social events and many teams participating in Middlesex and Veterans Leagues.

Interested? …….. The Club is holding open sessions between 11.00 and 14.30 on Saturday May 14th with free coaching and an opportunity to experience the club. Please contact Anthony Mills on 07771 531 783 to book your place. If this date is not convenient you can contact Anthony to organise alternative dates or see the Club’s website www.wayfarers.totaltennis.net for further information.
Brian Adams