AUDREY SHARPE
Audrey Sharpe, a loyal and much loved member of St Giles’ church for over forty years, died from cancer on 30th October. The memorial service in the church that meant so much to her was well attended and included daughter Anne and granddaughters Kristin and Kari.
Audrey was born in Liverpool in 1921 but the family soon moved to Oswestry where she went to school. She hoped to become a PE teacher but the War intervened and she worked in the Post Office by day and helped in her dad’s pub. There she met George Sharpe, a soldier. They were married in 1949 and soon after, George was posted to Northern Ireland where Anne was born. This posting was followed by a procession of others to trouble spots in places such as Libya, Egypt and Cyprus.
In 1959, George was posted back to England and promoted to Captain. A few years later, after 26 years’ service,they decided it was time to leave the army. George found a job with Barclays Bank in Hillingdon so they moved to Harefield and then to Grove Close in Ickenham. Audrey settled in to the community. She worked at the Post Office again, and later at Eastcote Primary School. She sang in the Townswomen’s Guild music group and helped with St Giles’ church flowers. She also pursued other handicraft talents, including dressmaking, pewter work, furniture restoration and oil painting.
They both retired in 1981 and enjoyed retirement together, often visiting Anne and her family in Norway and Australia. After George died in 2001 Audrey moved to Eleanor Grove to be nearer the village. There she continued her hobbies and, on her own, twice more visited her daughter in Australia. As Anne said, “Mum was a loving yet very determined and independent lady. Although she always sought advice, she did things her way, in the most meticulous fashion. She always kept in touch with the numerous friends she and George had made, everywhere they’d lived”.
The family would like to express their gratitude for all the people who have shown their compassion and assistance during this difficult time.
A NEW YEAR RESOLUTION? SAVE 10% IN 2010
Have you heard of the 10:10 campaign? Established by Franny Armstrong, the film maker behind the recent movie ‘The Age of Stupid’, and backed by the Guardian, its aim is to get as many people and organisations as possible to sign up and commit to reducing their carbon dioxide emissions by 10% in 2010.
The hope is that policy makers will realise there is pressure from ordinary people for strong action on climate change, to show our Government that we are all concerned about the future our children will inherit and to urge them to act in Copenhagen, when the next global climate change summit takes place there later this month.
By joining the 10:10 campaign you are showing that climate change concerns you, and that you are prepared to make changes to meet the challenge. Why not cycle to work one day a week, or replace your light bulbs with low energy ones? Many individuals have made small pledges such as these, which can all add up to make a noticeable difference. Many companies have also pledged to reduce their overall emissions through energy efficiency: why not ask your employer if they have joined?
It is very easy to feel overwhelmed when presented with a problem as big as global climate change. The important thing to remember is the problem exists through the individual actions of all of us. The solution too can lie in each of us contributing to collective action. If we all make small steps in the right direction, by promising to drive less or recycle more, then soon we could be on the way to solving the issue.
Why not join the campaign today and show the policy makers that the people of Ickenham care about the wider environment and want strong action from their leaders? Go to www.1010uk.org and sign up. You can help make a difference and add your voice to the push for change.
Gavin Roberts
LIBRARIANS HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS
While their usual workplace is closed for refurbishment, you will be pleased to know that Ic
kenham’s librarians have been busy, putting all their learning to good effect. Their team came top in the Festival Quiz Night held in the Village Hall in November, winning a £75 prize for their nominated charity, Cancer Research UK. A team from Essence, the St Giles’ women’s group, were runners-up and donated their prize to the Rainbow Trust. And the ICN Team managed third place, to the benefit of Help for Heroes.
As ever, the Festival Team put on a great event, the quiz ably compered by John Buckingham. Over a hundred people enjoyed an entertaining evening, raising money that will go towards next year’s Festival as well as the winners’ choices of charities.
(Please note also that the library refurbishment is about one month behind schedule.)
COFFEE, CHRISTINGLE AND HALF PRICE GIFTS
On Saturday 5th December, the URC coffee morning will feature the usual coffee, tea and home-made cakes. There will also be half price gifts on sale, and in the Parlour, young and old alike can try their skills at Christingle making. Come along and give it a go.
HILLINGDON CHORAL SOCIETY AND
HILLINGDON PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
Peter J Williams – Conductor |
Christmas Concert with Carols for Choir and Audience
Music by Handel, Tchaikovsky, Humperdinck and Corelli
A farewell concert for Orchestral leader Hilary Holloway
Saturday 5th December at 7.30pm
Brunel University Sports Centre
Tickets £10 (children £3) from
020 8582 0931 / 01895 674223 or
Pro Music International 01895 677944 |
Come and hear Vyners musicians past and present |
Hear the STARDUST BIG BAND
(formerly the Perry Parsons Big Band)
at their Christmas Party Gig
Sunday 20th December
Doors open 6.30pm, music from 7pm
At Battle of Britain Club
Hillingdon Road, Uxbridge
With seasonal quiz, raffle, bar and mince pies
Tickets £6 from 01895 633644
Profits to Oxfam |
VYNERS SWING BAND’s
New Year Celebration Evening
Saturday 9th January
7.30pm at Vyners School
FREE to get in, PAY to get out
Entry by free ticket.
Book early, at vyners@hillingdongrid.org or by phoning 01895 234342 or 07786 152915.
Raffle and retiring collection to band funds |
