On the last day of the Festival, in a charming ceremony attended by the Mayor and Mayoress, Revd Adrian Guthrie rededicated the Gospel Oak.  This tree, believed to be a direct descendent of the original medieval Gospel Oak, stands in Swakeleys Road, opposite Woodstock Drive.  At the Oak, in those earlier times, prayers used to be said once a year in the hope of a good harvest.  Now in its newly landscaped garden there is a memorial tablet, sympathetically restored by Max Gizzi of Breakspear Memorials who also carved an additional stone recording the original unveiling and this rededication.

The landscaping was organised by Colin Chambers from the Council but the cost of the stonework (some £700) was met by donations from local organisations and individuals.  Diana May, who lives nearby, has been the chief fundraiser.  She paid tribute to the donors, including the Ickenham Festival Team, Ickenham Residents’ Association, W S Try Ltd and St Giles’ PCC.

The considerable gathering, which included our local farmers, was led in prayer by Adrian.  He described the Gospel Oak as a reminder of God’s continuing presence in our world, our community and our lives.

L to R: John Try, Diana May, Mayor Brian Crowe, Susan Toms (Local Historian), Adrian Guthrie and Patrick Mahoney (Mayor’s Assistant)