BIG CHANGES TO OUR POLICE

Major changes have been introduced in the way the Metropolitan Police organises its local Police cover.  Ickenham is now one of the nine wards of North Hillingdon all led by Inspector David George (pictured).

The entire unit, of about 100, is now based in Ruislip Police Station, staffed by the Inspector and five uniformed Sergeants leading community Police teams, each consisting of a mixture of constables and PCSOs.  A Detective Sergeant also monitors all crimes in the area and helps to prioritise responses.  The ward teams are organised in shifts so that every day is covered by three of those teams.

“These new arrangements enable us to make more effective use of the available resources and help maintain the present encouraging trend of falling crime throughout the borough”, said Inspector George.
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WOMEN’S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER

The Women’s World Day of Prayer is a worldwide movement of Christian women of many traditions, who come together to observe a common day of prayer on the first Friday of March.  Each year, the programme is prepared by a different group of women.  This year, the women of Egypt have prepared a service entitled “Streams in the Desert.”

The service for Ickenham and Ruislip will be held at 2pm on Friday 5th March at Ickenham URC.  Although the service has been initiated by women, all are warmly invited to attend – men and women, young and old.  The service will last about an hour, but please stay on afterwards if you can, and enjoy refreshments in the church hall. 

For further details, please contact Dorothy Vickery on 01895 674223. 

 GET READY FOR URC 15th MARCH JUMBLE SALE

It’s time to start clearing out your house and garage ready to donate your unwanted items to the URC jumble sale! Donations to the church hall between 3pm and 7pm on Friday 14th and if you need items to be collected, call Richard Piper on 01895 634348.

CAN YOU HELP 2nd ICKENHAM BEAVERS? 

Often helping in the community themselves, the two Beaver colonies of 2nd Ickenham Scout Group (some pictured) now need your help finding new volunteer leaders as current leaders move on to fresh Scouting roles.  Based in Community Close, 2nd Ickenham Scouts is home to around 140 Beavers, Cubs and Scouts and provides invaluable life experiences and opportunities to local youngsters every week. 

Beavers meet on Tuesdays at 6.00pm and Wednesdays at 5.00pm for 75 minutes.  There are 24 children in each colony aged between six and eight, all bursting with energy and enthusiasm! In recent years they have enjoyed craft activities, cookery, sports and outdoor adventures, such as rock climbing, abseiling, archery and sliding down zip wires. In the community, they have visited our local churches for their Faith badge, attended URC Remembrance Services, had tours of the local Police Station and Fire Station and been to the Battle of Britain Bunkers. Of course, as a leader you get to do all this too!

For more information, please contact John Sears gsl@2ndickenham.org.uk or Gary Childs garychilds@btopenworld.com.  No experience needed, full training provided.

 FRIENDLY SEASONAL CRIME BUSTING

Ruislip Police Station opened its doors recently to the public and a special VIP, when Father Christmas (closely resembling Borough Commander, Steve Kershaw), arrived by coach and horses to be greeted by Inspector George.  In his grotto inside the station, Father Christmas gave gifts to a seemingly endless queue of excited children.  Other visitors took guided tours of the station, were clapped in handcuffs and experienced what it was like to be “banged up” in the cells.       

The Metropolitan Police also organised an ‘Aladdin’s Cave’ of recovered stolen goods, inside the Civic Centre at Uxbridge before Christmas. The vast array of property, including 20 bicycles, numerous mobile phones, televisions and jewellery including Cartier, Brietling and Rolex watches, was displayed in the hope that it could be united with its rightful owners.  Visitors also met Police Officers, local volunteers and enthusiastic Police Cadets, who made certain the ‘Aladdin’s Cave’ wasn’t stolen again! 
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BE MY VALENTINE

On February 14th, lovers traditionally send each other Valentine cards, but the origin of this custom is actually more tragic than romantic.

Valentine was a priest during the reign of Emperor Claudius about 270AD.  Claudius did not allow young men to marry because he believed it made them poor soldiers. Valentine thought this cruel so he conducted marriages in secret. Inevitably, he was caught and sentenced to imprisonment and execution.

Whilst in prison, Valentine fell in love with the gaoler’s blind daughter who miraculously regained her sight after they prayed together!  On the night before his execution, Valentine wrote a final letter to his love, signing it, “From your Valentine” - the first Valentine!
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