Do you remember Ashleigh Bairstow (ICN May 2008)?  She is the former Head Girl at Vyners and solo saxophonist in their Swing Band.  Whilst still at school, she was selected by the charity Project Trust, to teach in Uganda, first having raised nearly £5,000 to cover expenses.  This was achieved thanks to obtaining local contributions and a lot of support from Perry Parsons MBE and the Vyners Swing Band. 

In Uganda, Ashleigh was posted firstly to a nursery and primary school and then to a secondary school on the Kampala – Masaka road. The conditions are extremely basic but she’s loving it!  They are working her very hard: planning lessons, setting exams and marking as well as teaching geography and English.  She’s even expected to compose the school’s anthem!  So she’s looking forward to a well-earned break in May. 

Ashleigh writes: “I’m so grateful to all those people who helped me reach my target and prepare for Uganda. Thank you. Or as we say here in Uganda - ‘webale’”.

 

Lord Rosser of Ickenham, better known to his friends and acquaintances as Richard, was the guest speaker at the well-attended Men’s Breakfast at the URC on 24^th January.  He spoke about the House of Lords just before this institution was hitting the national headlines for all the wrong reasons.  To our relief, Richard’s talk was strictly non-political and turned out to be both informative and amusing.  

Richard noted that activity in the House often arouses strong emotions, despite the advanced years of some peers - “Living proof that there is life after death”!  In fact the average age of the Members is 67.  (Richard is pleased to confirm that he is on the lower side of this figure.)  There are around 750 Members in total, 130 of them women, and, unlike in the Commons, the Government does not have a majority and so can be overturned. 

However, the main role of the Lords is to act as a revising Chamber.  In this respect, it is well qualified because its Members have a wide variety of experience and qualifications.  So why does the Government pay any attention to the “Upper House”?  Because a great deal of legislation doesn’t involve party politics and a new slant can frequently be introduced by those often knowing more about the subject than the MP initiating a bill. 

Richard Rosser was born in Northwood and has always lived in Middlesex.  In 1973 he came to Ickenham and became a member of St Giles’.  His wife, Sheena, is well known around the village and they have two sons and a daughter.  After attending St Nicholas’ School, Richard joined London Transport.  He was soon involved with the Trade Union movement and in 1966 became a paid employee of the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association, the start of a long career.  When he retired in 2004, he had been the union’s General Secretary for the previous 15 years.  He was made a life peer later in 2004.

As a local Councillor during the seventies he was Chairman of LBH’s Finance Committee and stood as a Parliamentary Candidate in 1974.  Since 1978 he has been a Magistrate and was Chairman of the Bench for five years. 

Today, Richard is one of St Giles’ sidesmen, and a regular reader of The Lesson as well as one of the readers who help record the audio cassettes of ICN.  Although a Lord and an enthusiastic defender of the House, he is noted for his modesty and dry sense of humour. Ickenham is privileged to have him in its midst!

 

Ron Jewkes, who died on 28th January, aged 92, never did get to drive his sheep for free over London Bridge although this was his special privilege upon receiving the Freedom of the City of London in 2007.  A regular attender of the St Giles' 8am Communion Service, he was noted for his quick wit and cheerful disposition.  The church was packed for the celebration service of his life, conducted by Adrian and Ken.

Born in the East End, Ron spent his childhood in Ealing and discovered he was a useful runner.  He joined Ealing Harriers, gaining county honours and by 1938, at age 20, he was ranked amongst the top twenty 220 yards runners in the country.  The War put paid to his dreams of international running honours, and he joined the army.

After the War he turned to coaching and became a Senior BAAB coach for sprints and middle distance running.  This led to a life-long involvement with race starting and his distinctive red starter’s outfit was well known at stadiums all over the country.  His strict code of discipline was legendary in the athletics world.  Only Ron could hold up the start of a race of over 1,000 cross-country runners until every participant had his foot behind the line, and his sergeant major voice let everyone know he meant business!  A measure of the respect in which he was held was his re-appointment as Chief Starter by Athletics UK when he was already in his 92nd year.

In his working life, Ron's services to the insurance industry were recognised by his being granted the Freedom of the City. He worked almost exclusively with the Prudential Insurance Company.  It was at their Reading branch, 45 years ago, that he met Janet Bensley, commencing a long-standing friendship during which she accompanied and assisted him at many of those athletic events at which he officiated.

Ron found time for involvement with the administration of his beloved sport, serving on several committees.  He also achieved some of the highest offices in Freemasonry, including Grand Officer and Grand Chapter Rank, but professed not to understand why he'd been selected.  He was always noted for his high standards and encouraged everyone else to do their best at all times.

It was typical of Ron that a few years ago, he specified, in detail, the contents of his final church service, including his favourite hymn, 'Immortal, invisible, God only wise'.  This remarkable person, "One of the best friends anybody could ever have", will be much missed.