HOLIDAY CLUB TAKES THE SHIELD
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Anne Whitlam, Holiday Club Leader, receives The Swakeleys House Shield from Ickenham Festival Chairman, David Edington.
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The Ickenham Festival Barn Dance was the scene of an historic presentation on 9th March when the Swakeleys House Shield was awarded to Ickenham Churches’ Holiday Club. Since its inauguration 22 years ago, the Shield has been given to many individuals and, last year, even a Committee, but has never been presented to a whole organisation.
This coveted trophy has been entrusted to the Festival Committee to be awarded for ‘Commitment to the Spirit of the Ickenham Festival’. A certificate accompanies the trophy with a citation which, in this case reads, ‘This is the 40th year of Ickenham Churches’ Holiday Club, an initiative started and organised by members of St Giles’ and the United Reformed Church. During the school summer holidays, thousands of Ickenham children have enjoyed the numerous activities led by hundreds of volunteers. The Holiday Club has become an essential ingredient of the Ickenham calendar’.
As luck would have it, the current Leader of Holiday Club, Anne Whitlam, was at the dance with her husband Mike, completely unaware that the Club had been the chosen winner. She was therefore somewhat shocked when called upon to receive the shield from Festival Chairman David Edington. But afterwards she did say, “I was totally surprised and delighted to be presented with the prestigious Swakeleys House Shield to mark the 40th anniversary of Ickenham Churches' Holiday Club. On behalf of all the helpers and children over the years who have made Holiday Club such fun, may I thank the Festival Committee for this thoughtful recognition of our contribution to the community spirit in Ickenham. We are very honoured!”
