IT’S QUICKER VIA ICKENHAM!
Thanks to its relative flatness and natural beauty, Ickenham is an obvious choice for long-distance runners. You will regularly see athletes of all ages and abilities making their way round the streets of the village. Why, even the 1908 Olympic Marathon runners passed through en route from Windsor to White City!
In September, a new event took place with the first running of the Ickenham 5 – a 5 mile road race organised by Active Training World in conjunction with the Ickenham Festival. The two-lap race started and finished in Swakeleys Park with the route taking in Swakeleys Drive, Long Lane, Milton Road, Ivyhouse Road, Swakeleys Road and Thornhill Road. Almost 200 runners and their supporters assembled at the start, many from Ickenham but many too from running clubs further afield. Fortunately, the weather was near perfect, and after the race, competitors commented on what a pleasant place Ickenham was and how friendly and encouraging the locals had been. Organisers James Shipley and Martin Bateman were also pleased with how well things had gone, and they thanked the runners, the Marshals, the Ickenham Festival and the crowd for their support.
The winning man, who appeared to ‘fly’ round the course, lapping a lot of the field, was Mohamed Mohamed-Hassan, in the astonishing time of 24:44. Mohamed runs for Thames Valley Harriers, and last year represented his native Somalia in the 1500 metres at the London Olympics. The first lady finisher was Sophie Delderfield of Vale of Aylesbury AC in 30:22.
So you know the route and what you have to aim for - time to get in training for next year’s event?
AFN
REMEMBERING JOHN AND LINDA JOLLY
We have heard recently from Michelle Noë. Michelle is the daughter of John and Linda Jolly who lived in Edinburgh Drive for some 25 years until their deaths, both in 2003.
Prompted by the tenth anniversary of her parents' passing, Michelle and her brother Keith have been thinking fondly of their time growing up here in Ickenham and wanted to pass on their good wishes to anyone who remembers their parents.
Michelle now lives in West Wickham, Kent and Keith moved to Toronto, Canada in 2009.
ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER
When Prajwal Rao came home from Breakspear School recently, he told his mum what he’d been learning about the work of international charity ActionAid in an Indian village, to help the people there. Mum Rama, who was born and brought up in Bangalore, naturally has a great love for India so was interested in the story too.
She suggested they did something to help the charity, and set up an afternoon of action for children and parents in the Village Hall. So on the appointed day, a good crowd of parents, friends and children turned up and were entertained with art, music, singing and dancing. There was also a film shown about ActionAid and their Indian ventures. To everyone’s delight the afternoon’s event raised about £400.
Not surprisingly, Rama has other talents besides organising fun days. She is a qualified Civil Engineer and is currently studying for her PhD in association with Transport for London. Flushed with success, Rama is already planning another charity event for next year.
If you’d like to know more about ActionAid’s projects, see their website at www.actionaid.org.uk.
ICKENHAM CRICKET MEMORABILIA WANTED
Charles Williams is in the process of compiling a history of Ickenham Cricket Club. A club member himself for over 60 years, Charles is well placed to write a history of the club from his memories alone, but you may be surprised to learn that the club has been part of village life for over 160 years, with the cricket square sited in various locations before settling in its current home in Oak Avenue.
Charles is on the lookout for any early photographs or newspaper cuttings about the club, and in particular anything about the first timber-built pavilion which dates back to 1928. Much of the club’s own archive – trophies, photographs, scorebooks, etc. - was lost when the pavilion was totally destroyed by fire in 1974.
If you have any material which Charles could borrow, it would be gratefully received, copied and returned. Any general memories and information too would be welcomed. Contact Charles at 13 Copthall Road East, Ickenham, UB10 8SD, or email him at charles1wigan@hotmail.co.uk.
