OPEN DAY  -  “ICKENHAM MATTERS”

To celebrate the 80th birthday of Ickenham Village Hall, it will be open on 30th September from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and display as much Ickenham memorabilia as possible. Take a trip down Memory Lane and consider the future too. The Village Hall Voluntary Team, plus a few surprises, will make this a day to remember.

Entry will be free and there will be refreshments available by way of tea and coffee. All proceeds will be donated to Cancer Research.

We are looking for any photos, or anecdotes, that can be used at the Open Day to illustrate the last 80 years in Ickenham.

It is envisaged that local groups such as Ickenham Residents’ Association, The Home Guard Association, and Ickenham Festival Committee, will be offered free table space to help demonstrate Ickenham's community spirit over 80 years.

If you can help in any way to loan memorabilia, books, or photos please contact The Village Hall Secretary, Ruth Higgins, 01895 639992.

Come along and highlight the community spirit of which Ickenham is justifiably proud.

The construction of the Village Hall was funded, in the main, by subscription from Ickenham residents during 1925. The foundation stone was laid on 19th September 1926 and the Hall was registered, officially, on 16th December 1926.

The Festival Treasure Hunt 2006 was organised by Hillingdon Friends of the Earth on behalf of the Festival Committee. The winner of the short route was Heather Dalton of 1st Ickenham Brownies, and the winners of the full route were the Morrish Family.

When Elsie Jenkins handed over as Chairman of the Ruislip and Uxbridge Branch of the WEA (Workers’ Educational Association) two years ago to Caroline Field, she knew that the organisation was going to be in good hands. She has been proved right, as the branch has gone from strength to strength, with a significant increase in student numbers.

The new courses for 2006/2007, provide another varied and stimulating course programme. There are some of the old favourites together with a number of new courses, and for the first time in many years, for those students busy at work during the daytime, there is an evening course. The new course programme, which starts on 25th September, at the Compass Theatre in Ickenham, is detailed below.

Monday:         Morning –  ‘20th Century English Music’.     

                       Afternoon – ‘Birdwatching through the Seasons’.

Tuesday:        Morning –  ‘The Archaeology of the Holy Land’.

                       Afternoon – ‘The Arts in Spain’.

Wednesday:    Morning –  ‘Novels of the Southern Hemisphere’.   

                       Afternoon – ‘Current Affairs and Political Icons’

                       Afternoon - ‘Our History Since Time Began’.  

Thursday:       Afternoon – ‘Enjoying Poetry’.

                       Evening – ‘Enjoying Drama’.  

As in previous years all students can attend the first lesson on any course free of charge, just to make sure that it is to their liking. So why not come along in September with a friend to try any of the courses that take your fancy?

The WEA brochure containing full details of the courses arranged by all the local branches is now available in local libraries and bookshops. If you are not able to find a brochure or want more details about the courses above, then please contact Robert Hardman on 01895 632774.

In addition to putting together another interesting course programme, Caroline and her Committee are delighted that Professor Heinz Wolff of Brunel University has accepted an invitation to be the guest speaker for the Lecture Supper Evening on Saturday 25th November at Ickenham Village Hall. Put the date in your diaries, it should be a very entertaining evening!