Each month ICN is recorded on audio cassette and distributed to local people who, due to poor eyesight, are not able to read it themselves.  A merry band of volunteer readers assists me each month to make this happen. 

We record either at my house or at one of theirs.  Each article is recorded in turn, starting with the forthcoming events.  The readers have a variety of accents, loud and soft voices, male and female, which makes for more varied listening.  We are not trying to sound like Radio 4!  If we make a mistake we pause and start the sentence again.  And if it makes us giggle, we occasionally leave the giggles in.  Some listeners say that they like to hear the odd mistake as it makes the tape more friendly and relaxed.

We also describe the photographs; trying to convey the emotions and colours depicted.  We always get the benefit of colour pictures even when you just receive black and white editions!  A cassette of all the adverts is also recorded annually.

From the master recording I arrange the production of audio cassette copies.  The cassettes are then posted in bright yellow, reusable RNIB freepost envelopes and recipients return their previous copies in these too.  When the cassettes come back they are erased and used again – very eco-friendly!

Pronunciations of words such as quinquennial, diocesan and ecclesiastical are difficult, so if you’re writing for ICN, please try to avoid creating tongue twisters for us!  The irony is that having included these words in this article they will now have to be recorded when this month’s newsletter is sent to me.  Oh well, at least I’ve already read it!

Jenny Whittaker

 

What a result!  For the second year in a row, a record number of shoe boxes has been filled by the people of Ickenham as part of the Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child appeal.  All stacked up in the URC by the middle of November were 187 shoe boxes, wrapped, checked and filled with exciting surprises. 

URC Junior Church would like to thank everyone who helped make this such a success, including friends in the URC, along with those at St Giles’, Happy Days Pre-School, Jack and Jill Mother and Toddler Group, 4^th Ickenham Guides, 1^st Ickenham Brownies, 1^st Ickenham Cubs and Breakspear School.  We couldn’t have done it without you!

As well as the boxes, we have been able to send a cheque for £667 to help with transportation costs.  The boxes are now winging their way to children in need in time for Christmas.  Thanks once again for all your help.

The name Peter J Williams appears regularly in editions of ICN.  Unsurprisingly perhaps, as he is a conductor, organist, music teacher, music examiner, adjudicator, school inspector, founder of Hillingdon Choral Society and Hillingdon Philharmonic Orchestra, organist, choirmaster and Elder of the URC.  (Whatever does he do in his spare time?)

Peter’s involvement with music started at the age of eight.  He had his first piano lesson, after which he told his mother that he wanted to play the church organ.  Three years later he did so and was acclaimed by the Evening Standard as the youngest organist in the country at that time.  Amazingly, up to this year he was still wearing the same shoes he used to play the organ then, all of 45 years earlier!  

Peter moved to Ickenham in 1981 with his wife Wendy.  They have two daughters and two granddaughters.  After a spell with two other churches, in 1992 he came to Ickenham’s URC, since which time they have been fortunate to retain him as their organist and choirmaster.  

But Peter shares his musical talents more widely too.  In 1968, at the age of 17 he formed the United Church Choirs of Islington (later known as the Islington Choral Society).  In 2003 Peter was appointed Music Director of the Free Church Choir Union, a national body founded in 1888.  Their biennial Festival of Church Music, held in different cathedrals throughout the country, brings together up to 400 singers nationally.  His continued Hillingdon Choral Society and Hillingdon Philharmonic Orchestra involvement though, means that locally we have ample opportunity to enjoy the fruits of his labour.

Almost inevitably, he took up teaching as his ‘day job’.  Having studied at the London College of Music under Dr WS Lloyd Webber (father of Andrew and Julian), he commenced his career as Head of Music at Hayes Barnhill Secondary Modern.  He went to Vyners in 1977 as Head of Music and among other initiatives encouraged the development of choral music at the school and in the Borough in collaboration with other secondary schools.  Later he did the same at Northwood College before becoming Head Teacher at Normanhurst School in Chingford.  He is currently working in the Music Department at Merchant Taylors’ School.

A Church Elder, he especially values his pastoral responsibilities and occasional preaching opportunities.  “As a church organist in Ickenham I have shared the sad and happy times with many in the community – that has been a privilege”, he said, “but music touches us all where nothing else does – that makes the organist’s responsibility even greater.”

 

The URC was a hive of activity on Sat 15^th November when the Christmas Fayre helped get Ickenham’s festive preparations off to a flying start.  The weather was kind and brought out the crowds – over 300 in number - who joined with the many helpers to produce a lively event, which with takings of over £2,600, was very close to last year’s record amount.

With plants and decorations, jewellery and gifts, glassware and bric-a-brac, toys and books there was certainly something for everyone.  The children’s colouring competition and games in the entrance hall kept the youngsters busy too.  And since any army of Fayre helpers and attendees marches on its stomach, those manning the cake stall and preparing the lunches and refreshments in the kitchen get our special thanks.

As ever, the local traders pulled out all the stops with their generous support of our raffle.  So let’s support them too, with a good turnout at the Festive Community Night on Fri 5^th December. In combination with the St Giles’ Christmas Festival, which takes place on Fri 5^th and Sat 6^th December, and the special URC Coffee Morning on Sat 13^th December (see page 6 for more details) it seems that Ickenham really is the place for all your Christmas preparations!

 

Setting aside time to do some spiritual reading can be a great antidote to the frenetic activity of the run-up to Christmas, and it helps give Advent a reflective dimension. 

For a daily reading scheme, try Lighted Windows by Margaret Silf £6.99 (BRF) or Living with hope: a scientist looks at Advent, Christmas and Epiphany by John Polkinghorne £8.99 (SPCK).  For an inspiring book, there is Prayer: does it make any difference? by Philip Yancey £7.99 (Hodder and Stoughton) or If you want to walk on water, you’ve got to get out of the boat by John Ortberg £6.50 (Zondervan). 

A sheet with a brief review of each book is available in the centre of St Giles’ Church.