An absolutely packed congregation squeezed into St Giles’ Church on 26th March for the Mothering Sunday service at 9.45 a.m. Towards the end of the service the very many children and adults present were each given a pot of primulas as a gift for their mother and/or grandmother.

While this was happening a terrible smell of gas wafted into the building as a road works gang opposite the ‘Coach and Horses’ ruptured a gas main.

Members of the congregation began to worry that the leak was from within the church but their fears were placated when the cause was announced. Fortunately everyone was leaving by then.

When all had gone the church doors were closed and lights and candles extinguished – just in case! A gas official, who was among the congregation left the service and went outside to assess the problem. The emergency services, and Transco were called. Very quickly the Police and the Fire Brigade sealed off the area to pedestrians and traffic. This caused total chaos in Almond Avenue and Ivy House Road for the remainder of Sunday, but traffic was flowing again by Monday morning, although with difficulty because of the traffic lights in place, and one carriageway out of action. These remained for at least a further week

Come to church and see life – in all its fullness!
Editor

Saturday 1st April saw the 2006 opening of our local Miniature Railway. Nearly 900 visitors turned up.

£330, raised through various activities including a Christmas slide show, the subsequent DVD, and donations, was passed to Hillingdon Hospital’s Paediatric Unit. Carol Lyons, who is Senior Occupational Therapist at the Hospital’s Child Development Centre was there to accept the cheque presented by Society President Peter Pardington.

Society Member Ian Mortimer calculated that 866 passengers were carried that day, and a train passed the signal box roughly every thirty seconds. Lots more people were on the site behind the Coach and Horses Public House, in order to picnic. Well done to all concerned. Next outing is Saturday 3rd May.
Photo’ courtesy Chris Berry of Gazette Newspapers

The Goodall family thank all those who, generously, gave donations in memory of Eric. The total received was £2,400 and has been divided between Michael Sobell House Hospice, and Helen House Hospice for Children.

MORE ‘ERIC’ QUOTES
“Don’t be a pushover parent – learn to say no and MEAN IT!”
“Oh Lord, give me the strength to resist temptation, the courage to uphold what is right, and wisdom to know the difference. Above all, help me to be true to myself.” 19th January 1991

Can you believe it that Ickenham is the fourth healthiest place to live in Britain? It is, according to survey conducted by American firm Caci. The survey covered alcohol consumption, smoking, exercise, weight, and long term illness. What a pity that spiritual health was not included and, obviously, air quality, traffic pollution, and noise, were not factors.

For Community spirit though we ought to be number one!

In April Ickenham Rainbows, Brownies and Guides were invited to join Uxbridge, Hillingdon and Harefield Districts for a Spring Festival at Ickenham Guide and Scout Headquarters with various activities. Some of the guides held a sleepover.

This month we have our yearly JUMBLE SALE on 20th May 10 a.m. –12 noon at Guide Headquarters in Community Close. Admission 30p

We are all preparing for Ickenham Festival with many of the units taking part in the parade on Gala Day, and we are having a Strawberry Fayre at Guide Headquarters on Tuesday 13th June 6-8 p.m.
As summer approaches several of the units are preparing for Guide camp and some of the brownie units are camping at Willow Tree at Harefield.

There are vacancies for the 2006 outdoor season for men and women bowlers of all ages with or without bowling experience. The Club is located at the end of The Avenue, close to Swakeleys House. For full details please contact Club Secretary, Norman King, on 01895 636166.

Receipt is acknowledged, with grateful thanks, of the following donations towards the cost of ICN:
Ickenham Women’s Churches Group, Mrs. J. Niznik from Hillingdon, Friends of Guiding in Ickenham, Mrs Byrne of Burnham Avenue via Marion Smith.
Copy for the June edition should be with me by 13th May.