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IGNITE/NEON OVERNIGHTER AT WILLOW TREE CENTRE
“We could camp the night before the Family Fun Day and be there to help on the morning!” “What a great idea!” we thought, with visions of teamwork, fun games, songs round the campfire, toasted marshmallows and cooked breakfast. “Let's do it! It will be fun!” So plans were made, and we looked forward to it. But as the day approached, there were thoughts of “whose bright idea was this?” and “how much food will we need?” and “have any of us ever put up a tent?”
 The afternoon arrived and we (Youth Leaders), the group of young people from St Giles' IGNITE and NEON groups and St Mary's Harefield youth group packed our sleeping bags, onesies, clean clothes for the next day and a wash bag. Most of the group followed a checklist that Simon had prepared and also packed a plate, bowl, cup and cutlery. Leader Juli, on the other hand, did not; and so was very grateful to Holly who took spares, so Juli could have food and, more importantly, coffee! Although we arrived with plenty of time to get the tents up in daylight, plans went awry, but we discovered it's actually fun putting tents up in the dark!
The girls changed into PJs and onesies, and the boys put jumpers on. We headed over to a fabulous camp fire where we did indeed toast marshmallows (including moments of ‘extreme toasting’ which involved shields and demonstrations of 'bravery'). The fire was kept ablaze by demon axe wielder and Youth Leader, Helen. We also managed a bit of a sing song (not quite Scouts/Guides level but fun all the same). By the time the fire died down, the young people were all in their tents and (mostly) quiet, allowing the leaders to head to our tents earlier than anticipated. Thankfully we all got enough sleep to see us through the next day!
Porridge pots proved an inspired choice for breakfast which meant that as people were ready for breakfast, they could have it! While the dew on our tents was drying off, we helped with the preparations for the Family Fun day, including putting up a gazebo of our own! Taking the tents down in daylight proved much easier than putting them up in the dark. However putting them back in the bags did prove more challenging, but added to the fun! After lunch we all joined in with the Family Fun day reported in last month’s ICN.
So, did we enjoy it? You bet we did! Would we do it again? You bet we would!
Juli Harris Powell and Simon White
HARVEST FESTIVAL AT THE URC
 On Sunday 28th September Ickenham United Reformed Church held its Annual Harvest Festival Service, which was set on the theme of “Harvests from around the World”. Window displays represented the harvests of the five continents; Asia, Africa, Australasia, Europe and the Americas. The central display (pictured) was a boat made by Helen and Liz Boyes, with some very colourful fish, and a fishing net, which represented the Bible story about Jesus and the fishers of people.
There followed our Harvest Festival Lunch in the church hall. Some 40 members and friends attended a beautiful lunch prepared by the Murray family. With either Parsnip and Apple Soup or Pâté as the choice of starters, followed by either Lasagne or Chicken Stuffed with Sun-dried Tomatoes and all the extras, as the main course, we were spoiled for choice. As for desserts, they were far too numerous to mention! Lunch was followed with some poetry and a selection of “short stories” from young James Murray.
The fresh food from the Harvest Food Collection was sent to a local care home and the non-perishables to the Hillingdon Food Bank.
John Miller
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