Oberammergau in the Bavarian Alps is a village with a population of around 5,300 – about half the size of Ickenham.  It is famed worldwide for its staging, every ten years, of a Passion Play, depicting the events of Holy Week and the death and resurrection of Jesus.  Only people born in the village (or who have lived there for 20 years) are allowed to take part, and about 2500 are involved in the production in some way.  There are 130 speaking parts and rehearsals take place during the year before each staging, which happens now in years ending with a zero. 

In staging this Passion Play each decade, the villagers keep true to a promise made by their forebears back in 1633, while plague raged throughout the region, causing many deaths.  But once the vow was made to honour God with this play, no one else in the village fell victim to the ‘Black Death’. 

For 200 years the play was performed in the church cemetery, but, as more and more people came from all over the world to see the spectacle, it was moved to a different site, where a huge theatre has been built seating over 4,700.

This year the play has been performed five times a week from mid May until early October, and a number of people from both Ickenham churches have been lucky enough to attend.  Brian Reid was one of them, and he told ICN about the experience. 

“We arrived in Oberammergau on the afternoon of 10th July and got our bearings on a walk through the village.  The next morning we spent exploring, visiting the museum and attending a talk given by one of the directors of the play. 

“The performance began at 2.30pm.  Our seats were near the front so the facial expressions of the actors could clearly be seen.  The play is in German but everyone is issued with a book containing the script in their own language.  It starts with Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and the stage comes alive with several hundred people including children, babies, a donkey and many sheep. 

“Between each act is a ‘living tableau’ – a still scene from the Old Testament - with a musical accompaniment by the 50-strong choir.  At 5.30pm the first half ended with Jesus’ arrest on the Mount of Olives.  Three hours had passed so quickly. 

“After dinner at 8pm we returned for the second half.  We watched Jesus being brought before Annas the High Priest, his trial before Pilate, and his crucifixion.  This last was especially moving - it was getting dark and a thunderstorm added to the drama.  The final scene was the resurrection, but here Jesus appeared for only a brief moment, which I found a little disappointing.  The performance finished at 10.55pm.

“The production gave me a picture of how Holy Week might have been.  It was wonderfully performed by people who are not professionals, but who want to continue to carry out the promise made by their ancestors almost 400 years ago.” 

Mark it in your diaries for 2020! 

 

CREAM TEAS FIT FOR HEROES

The recent Annual Charity Garden Party organised by Ickenham Afternoon Townswomen’s Guild was its usual success.  Held outside the local Scouts Hut, there were all sorts of stalls, raffles and quizzes and a Guess the Weight of the Cake competition.  Blessed with a beautiful day, the many visitors enjoyed a happy, friendly occasion, with the added bonus of a delicious scone and cake cream tea.  Takings, with donations, reached a marvellous £1,100, which we have sent to our chosen charity for the year, Help for Heroes.

Our thanks go out to all who supported this event.

Daphne Warden

 

DONATIONS

Receipt is acknowledged, with grateful thanks, for donations towards the cost of ICN, from:

Mr John Echlin of Yeading; Mr and Mrs Beke of The Wirral; Swakeleys Probus Club

Copy for the next issue should be with the team by 12 noon on 13th October. 

 

NEW BASE FOR ICKENHAM SNT

A key part of local policing, Ickenham’s Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) now has a new base right next to West Ruislip station.  The premises, which will be shared with neighbouring West Ruislip SNT, were formally opened in August by Borough Commander DCS Julian Worker and Mayor of Hillingdon Cllr David Yarrow. 

The new facility is primarily an administrative base from which the teams get out into the community: as such it is not usually open to the public.  Police stations with reception facilities are available instead in Uxbridge (Warwick Place, manned at all times) and in Ruislip (The Oaks, manned Mon – Fri from 10am -5pm, and Sat 10am – 1.30pm).  However the SNT Base does have a meeting room, making it easier to arrange surgeries / meetings with local residents.  An LCD screen in front of the premises provides up to date information to the public on such meetings and other issues of interest. 

Each Safer Neighbourhood Team consists of one sergeant, two police officers and three community support officers (PCSOs) provided in addition to the Borough’s other policing teams and specialist units.  DCS Worker explained, “The teams are dedicated to the local community and understand the issues that they are facing.  I encourage local residents to get involved with their Safer Neighbourhood Team and help to decide on the priorities for their area and how best to tackle issues together.  This allows the community and the police to provide long-term, local solutions to local problems." 

If you have concerns about day-to-day crime and disorder issues, including anti-social behaviour, graffiti, noisy neighbours or vandalism, you can contact the team at Ickenham.snt@met.police.uk or by telephone on 020 8721 2543.