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NEW CHAIRMAN FOR ICKENHAM FESTIVAL AND A NEW PRESIDENT
  At a packed meeting of the Festival of Ickenham Committee and members, Founder and Chairman for thirty years, David Millen, chaired his final meeting before retiring. David Edington was elected in his place and instigated new committee elections. He concluded the meeting by suggesting that a new advisory post of President be instituted. David Millen was proposed (he accepted) and was elected unanimously to great acclaim.
There followed speeches and presentations to David Millen for his long and tireless service. Alan Noad, speaking on behalf of the new Committee and the members, spoke warmly and sincerely of David’s service before presenting him with a framed photograph of committee members past and present (see November’s ICN), an album containing many written tributes and an exquisite plaque created by heraldry artist Tim Noad and framed by Bob Roker.
Finally the meeting was followed by a pleasant, informal, reception.
We all thank David Millen for his marvellous work in bringing together our community and wish David Edington every good fortune, and success, in taking forward the Committee.
TRIBUTE TO RON MASON
1908 - 2006
 Ron was born on 21st April 1908 in Kensal Rise, London. He was one of four children, one brother and two sisters, and had a very happy childhood with his family in Ashburnam Road. From the age of 8 he joined the choir at St Martin’s Church, Kensal Rise and remained there until his voice broke, aged 16. He left school at the age of 14 and found employment with the Metropolitan Railway at Baker Street, and later London Transport. He worked there as an executive until his retirement at the age of 60. He then worked for Barclays Bank for 5 years and later worked part time for an engineering company in Uxbridge until he was 75.
During the war he was stationed at Folkstone and joined the White Cliff Revel entertaining over the South East. He had rave reviews for his singing and he left the army as a Sergeant Major.
Singing was one of Ron’s great loves and he was in the Choir at Roxeth Church, Harrow for a number of years before moving to St Johns, Uxbridge Moor. Here he was Church Warden for 21 years as well as singing in the choir. He was also treasurer of the Deanery Synod.
In 1953 he became a founder member of Ickenham Male Voice Choir and often sang solo in their concerts.
Ron met Win through her brother Charles when she was 17 and thought he was dishy! They courted for 6 years before marrying in 1937. They were happily married for 69 years and had two daughters Sandra and Paula.
As well as being a lifelong supporter of Queens Park Rangers, Ron was a keen gardener.
Ron passed away peacefully at Hillingdon Hospital on 21st September 2006.
Thank you to everybody who sent donations; we were able to send £600 to The Stroke Unit at Hillingdon Hospital and £270 to St Giles’ Church.
Sandra
ICKENHAM FESTIVAL COMMUNITY NIGHT
Friday 8th December 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. in the centre and around the Village
  
It is hoped that the event will be bigger, and better, than ever. The Village will be ablaze with much larger decorative lights this year, and many shops will open late with Christmas hospitality. There will be stalls and entertainments in and around the Village Hall, and The Guide Hut in Community Close will be open too, as an overflow, with many additional stalls
Cakes Etcetera are putting on a hog roast again this year. This was very successful in 2005, so remember to be there early.
Father Christmas will be there, as well as the Salvation Army, choirs, and the Vyners Swing Band. Altogether about thirty local organisations and groups should be represented.
For more information about stalls and entertainments call David Edington on 01895 672783. www.IckenhamFestival.org.uk
THANK YOU FROM JOHN MILEY
TO THE ICKENHAM CONGREGATIONS OF ST GILES’, THE URC, AND BEYOND
Thank you all for giving me such a fine send off following the completion of my last service as Choirmaster at St Giles’ Church. It was a marvellous event with some great music, and it was good to see so many people, and to meet several who have moved on to different parts of the world and who took special trouble to return. In particular I would like to thank you for your very generous cheque. I intend to have my new garden landscaped during the forthcoming winter months, and I will use the money to purchase a large fountain, which will be a central feature of the new garden. I will send you a photograph in due course.
I am gradually settling in to my new house and hope that before Christmas I will have been able to open the last box in the garage?
My best wishes to you all, and especially to St Giles’ and the URC Choirs, in the hope that they will continue to make good music to the glory of God.
John Miley
DORIS VERA GROVE
1926 – 2006
 Doris Grove was called home to rest on 16th October seven weeks after an emergency operation, which became necessary while she was undergoing a course of chemotherapy. A devoted wife for 54 years, Doris was a committed Christian who, although never living in Ickenham, had worshipped at St Giles’ since 1953 and the wonderful service of thanksgiving taken with great empathy by the Reverend Ken Tombs in St Giles’ Church was a fitting tribute to someone remembered by many for her loyal friendship, welcoming smile and genuine concern for the welfare of others, which was undiminished even while coping with adversity herself.
Alan Grove
CHRISTIAN AID AT CHRISTMAS
THE GREATEST GIFT
However hard we search inside our Christmas stockings, we won't find the essence of Christmas.
We can't find the true meaning of the season under a Christmas tree. In fact, we may find that the layers of wrapping paper make finding Christmas even harder.
But giving gifts is at the centre of our Christmas celebration. Present buying may have become tangled up in consumerism, but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy being able to give to each other out of love. After all, God loves to give good gifts: ‘if you then … know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!’ Matthew 7: 11.
A Gift that Matters. What do you give the person who has everything? Designer perfume? Woolly jumpers? Luxury Belgium chocolates? A flight in a balloon?
Whatever we give, and however much it is appreciated, it won't change lives fundamentally.
But for those that don't have everything that is desperately needed, your gift could certainly change lives.
To change lives buy gifts from the Present Aid Catalogue.(Catalogues in St Giles’ Church or U.R.C . lobby, or by going to www.presentaid.org )
Bernard Pearce
MEN’S BREAKFAST
The next in this series of very interesting talks, and well-attended breakfasts, is on Saturday 27th January 2007 at 8.30 a.m. in the U.R.C. Hall. Mike Whitlam will be with us again this time to speak on an issue related to International Development.
We hope to see you there. Tickets are £2 on the door, which covers the cost of a continental breakfast, but please advise Don Gwilt, in advance on 01895 673704, that you are coming.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD RESULT
A very big THANK YOU to everyone who helped with the Samaritans Purse Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Appeal. From our two Churches we have sent 51 filled shoeboxes and cheques to the value of £258.50. A very good response !
A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM ICKENHAM WARD COUNCILLOR JOHN HENSLEY
Dear Editor,
Christmas is that time when we reflect over the past year, plan new ventures, and is a time for families to come together. Looking back, we have experienced some anti-social behaviour and unnecessary rubbish deposited onto our streets causing concerns and frustration to all of us. However, events like the Ickenham Festival, its Gala Day, and the Ickenham Festive Night reinforce all that is good about Ickenham and the strong community partnerships and links that exist to benefit us all. In this context the two Churches, play a pivotal role in our community where people can come together, celebrate and give thanks for all that we have and hold dear to us. Ickenham is still a very desirable village in which to live, and raise a family. It remains a place where one can enjoy a good family life.
There have been some anxieties expressed regarding planning applications, which directly or indirectly affect our lives, and in particular IKEA and TESCO. The planning committee refused these applications and TESCO has since made an appeal. As the Chairman of that committee I would not normally attend an appeal meeting but leave the proceedings in the hands of the Council's lawyers to present the Council's case.
My two colleagues, and I, are pleased to be able to represent the residents of Ickenham and, with the assistance of the Safer Neighbourhood Team, create a pleasant environment in which everyone can live.
May I therefore take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a Safe and Happy New Year.
Cllr John Hensley
N.B. John hopes to have published an article about graffiti in a forthcoming edition of Hillingdon People magazine.
PARISH PUMP
Receipt is acknowledged, with grateful thanks, of the following donations towards the cost of ICN: Phyllis Turner from Pinner, JPC Nicholson of Swakeleys Road, Anonymous from Northwood via David Thorpe, Liz Cooke from Gillingham in Dorset, Merial Lawrence in memory of husband Frank, Mrs Byrne of Burnham Avenue, Sue Longstaff from Dorset, The Mothers’ Union.
Copy for the February 2007 edition should be with me by 13thJanuary 2007.
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DISABLED AIDS TO GIVE AWAY TO ANYONE WITH A GENUINE NEED. If you know of anyone who would benefit from a Sungift 400 Electric Buggy, with charger; a small wheelchair; a super electric Riviera Reclining Bathlift, with charger, or a complete Stannah Stairlift, then please call the editor on 01895 632442. Businesses should not call, and anyone gifted any of the above will have to make arrangements for collection.
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