HORTICUTURAL HARVEST

Ickenham’s Horticultural Society recent show was another triumph for entrants and organisers alike.  More visitors than ever, including the Revd Felicity Davies, turned up to admire the beautifully arranged plethora of autumn flowers, luscious vegetables, scrumptious cookery and wine, made possible only by the tireless organisation that the Committee had put into arranging such an event: including the staging, the judging, the prizes and the delicious refreshments.
           
Councillor John Hensley presented the prizes and commented on the vast improvements that had been made to the trading hut earlier in the year and what a pleasure it was to visit there on Wednesdays and Sundays.  And there was no shortage of prize-winners at the show!  Once again the children’s section came up trumps with creatures made from vegetables, also flowers, photos and food.  Particularly tasty were the Rocky Road Brownie entries!
           
The grown-ups’ offerings were as good as ever including some unbelievably large parsnips and carrots and lovely potatoes.  Dahlias, as ever were outstanding as were the variety of pot plants.  In the domestic classes there was fierce competition in the Men’s Whisky Cake Challenge and the wine looked good enough to drink!  Once again this was an event to make Ickenham proud of a society that has been supporting gardeners and pleasing people for nearly seventy years!

AFN

ABBEYFIELD RECALLED

The Abbeyfield Society is a charity, founded by Richard Carr-Gomm in Bermondsey in 1956, ‘dedicated to making the lives of older people easier and more fulfilling’.  Today there are 850 Abbeyfield houses worldwide.
           
Until recently Ickenham had its own Abbeyfield home, ‘Court House’ in Court Road but, regrettably, no longer.  Despite exhaustive efforts by supporters, including articles in the ICN, the number of occupants had dropped to three, with no prospect of increase.  With a potential capacity of eight, there was no practical alternative and Abbeyfield was forced to close, with the remaining occupants being re-housed in nearby Abbeyfield homes.  And so ends a chapter in Ickenham’s rich history which will stay in the memories of staff and an impressive number of volunteers who have devoted their time and energy providing a home-from-home to hundreds of grateful people.
           
Ickenham Abbeyfield started life in the beautiful house next to St Giles’ church called ‘Little Buntings’ (now occupied by Cathcarts Solicitors).  Among the driving forces behind its formation were the then St Giles’ Rector, Revd Wynburne and his wife.  They were supported extensively by volunteers and a salaried cook-and-housekeeper.  However, the house was expensive to run and, when in 1980, local benefactors donated the best part of the value of a pair of semi-detached houses in Court Road, it made good sense to purchase them outright, knock them together and move in.
           
So, this house with two front doors started a new life with Miss Markenham as housekeeper, to be replaced later by Rose Coniam who was in position for 24 years altogether, supported at weekends by relief-housekeeper Chris Duncan.  Cleaner Mary Saberton recalls many happy days at the house.  “Rose was an excellent cook, providing morning coffee, daily lunch and high tea, and she occasionally took the residents out for the day.  Sometimes she was assisted by John James, a very popular resident who had his own little car and was much missed when he finally succumbed to cancer.”
           
Court House boasts a beautiful garden, lovingly attended by volunteers.  Its proudest moments occurred during the once-a-year open days, attended by the residents and many locals, sampling the strawberries, cream and cakes grown and baked on the premises.  But, as they say, “All good things come to an end,” and so it is with Ickenham Abbeyfield.  And as part of the closure process, Abbeyfield Chairman, Derek Hughes made a very generous donation to this publication, which was gratefully received and enabled last month’s ICN to be a bumper colour edition. 
           
Last word comes from Derek Hughes, “Thanks to the dedicated people of Ickenham, we have for almost 50 years provided a special service to the elderly.” 

AFN