‘Britain’s favourite clergyman’ (some might say) was the speaker at the July Men’s Breakfast in the URC Church. He is of course Frank Williams, the actor who played the part of the Reverend Timothy Farthing, Vicar to Dad’s Army.
Frank came at the invitation of Don Gwilt, one of St Giles’ senior members. The two have been friends since childhood, having met at St Margaret’s Church in Edgware. Frank was a choirboy there when he became a dedicated Christian and has remained so thereafter.
Going to the pictures as a boy gave Frank a zest for acting. So, when he left school, he started out as an Assistant Stage Manager in a small theatre where he was occasionally allowed to play minor roles. He made his debut as an ant in a production called The Insect Play! With the launch of television, he featured in The Army Game where he played several parts including a Captain and a doctor, thus preparing him for a later role in Emergency Ward 10.
It was an association with Jimmy Perry, creator of Dad’s Army, which led to Frank getting the part of the vicar. This he described as a very satisfying experience, and he formed life-long friendships with fellow actors Bill Pertwee and Teddy Sinclair (who played his ever-loyal verger). Ian Lavender, we were told, is not really a ‘Stupid Boy’ after all, but someone who managed the Times crossword on a daily basis.
Frank went on to play many other roles on television, stage and film, even becoming a Bishop in You rang, my Lord? but he always retained a soft spot for Dad’s Army. He had no qualms about playing a vicar in comedy, regarding it as, “Good, clean fun”. He told us, “I have had a wonderful career and my faith in God has been my rock and always very central to my life”.
Frank Williams’ autobiography, “Vicar to Dad’s Army”, is published by Canterbury Press and costs £9.99.
Alan Noad
Receipt is acknowledged, with grateful thanks, for donations towards the cost of ICN, from:
Anon via David Thorpe; Anon of Rectory Way via Mrs Gwilt; Ickenham Afternoon Townswomen’s Guild; Hillingdon Choral Society; Mrs Willicombe of Minehead; Anon of Clovelly Avenue via Bill Dancer.
Copy for the October edition of ICN should be with the team by 12 noon on 13th September.
The URC has a Late Summer Forecourt Sale on Saturday 12th September from 10am to 12 noon, admission free. There will be stalls selling bric-a-brac, books, boxed games / jigsaws, DVDs / CDs / records etc. and the always popular homemade cakes and refreshments.
If you have items to donate please bring them to the Church between 5pm and 8pm on the Friday beforehand, or phone Richard Piper on 01895 634348 if you need them to be picked up. Thanks to the generosity of the people of Ickenham we have already raised over £2600 this year for the Church and the good causes we support. Please help us go beyond the £3000 mark at this event, by thinking about what you can donate, and by coming along on the day.
The extensive refurbishment of Ickenham Library commenced on 17th August. The first stage was the removal of the entire stock of books and equipment to enable building work to begin. During closure, a mobile library service will operate from the Compass Theatre car park every Wednesday and Friday from 1.45pm - 2.45pm.
In its constant quest to provide entertainment and pleasure to the people of Ickenham and to raise funds for Ickenham Festival 2010, the Festival team presented four public entertainments during June and July.
The first two were held at the Compass Theatre, featuring on one night two singing groups and The Stardust Big Band, then the following day five rock bands competing against each other.
July saw a new venture with a ‘Bollywood Night’ at Vyners School. This attracted 200 people, enthusiastically dancing and eating Indian style. It also raised £510 for the Cancer Research charity.
Then, a week later, came the Hillingdon Philharmonic Orchestra concert at Swakeleys. The audience was invited to sing “Thank You for the Music” but “Singing in the Rain” would have been much more appropriate! Nothing daunted, the band played on and presented a melodious miscellany of film music including “The Dam Buster’s March” accompanied by a glorious fireworks display.
